Jan. 3, 2024

Trending African-American Talent in Hollywood

In modern times, the trend has shifted when it comes down to African-American representation in the film and entertainment industry. We look at prominent African-American actors who have left a lifelong legacy in filmmaking. By: Dylan Low

The current film industry has seen an increase of more African-American actors in trending blockbuster films, as they have profited with high revenue in the box office. Back in 1905, most African-Americans in Hollywood films were acknowledged as white actors in blackface. Fast forward centuries later, there have been notable African-American actors that have become household names in the industry, achieving worldwide popularity and appearing in highly rated films.

One such African-American actor is Samuel L. Jackson. Noted as a famed Hollywood celebrity from even back in the 1990s, he created a name for himself, having accomplished a sequence of critically acclaimed roles in many reputable film franchises. He has featured in over 100 movies and television shows, known to many as one of the most accomplished actors with high audience appeal and revenue earnings. 

Jackson’s acclaimed film resume comprises Jurassic Park, Pulp Fiction, Die Hard with a Vengeance. He has also appeared in highly popular franchises such as Star Wars, with his role in their prequel trilogy. He is highly recognised for his recurring role as Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is the highest-grossing film franchise. Having featured in many reputable movie franchises for over 50 years, his film success has been evident. The 74-year-old leads the highest number of films over $100 million at the worldwide box office, having generated a staggering US$5.7 billion from all his films combined.

Another prominent African-American actor would be Chadwick Boseman. Having passed away due to colon cancer in 2020, he has undoubtedly left an undeniable legacy in the film industry. At the beginning of his career, Boseman made a choice not to feature in shows where African Americans were placed in negative spotlight. Instead, he has represented inspirational and iconic African-American historical figures, namely the first African-American Supreme Court Justice and NAACP attorney, Justice Thurgood Marshall in the film Marshall. He also portrayed worldwide sensation Godfather of Soul, singer James Brown in the film Get on Up, and baseball celebrity Jackie Robinson, in the film 42.

However, Boseman is best known for his performance as Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, making history starring in Marvel’s first ever Black superhero film. With current society divided by political, social and cultural identities, his role in Black Panther imprinted a legacy in the African culture and highlighted the African diaspora. 

His impact towards the black culture directly translated to tremendous success in the box office. His most acclaimed original film Black Panther broke multiple records, earning an estimated US$218 million domestically. It has also won many awards, such as the Academy Award nomination for Best Picture, cementing itself as a pivotal point in the African diaspora film history. At the time of his passing, he had generated US$4 million in net worth.

Another great African-American actor who made his name in Hollywood is Will Smith. In his three decade long stellar career, he has featured in all kinds of genres, spanning from drama seen in The Pursuit of Happyness, comedy in Hitch, action in Bad Boys, science-fiction in Independence Day, horror in I Am Legend and even did animation, voice acting for Spies in Disguise. 

With his portrayal of many fan-favourite roles through the years, he has achieved three career Academy Award nominations, encompassing his role as boxing legend Muhammad Ali in Michael Mann’s Ali and role as single father Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happiness, directed by Gabriele Muccino. He has triumphed with phenomenal results at the box office, grossing up to US$10 billion at the international box office. Today, he is valued up to an incredible USD$350 million.

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