23 Young Black Actors Under 40 Changing Hollywood Forever

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In contrast to past times when diversity was a challenge, modern social shifts demonstrate that Hollywood is transforming, leading to an increasing number of promising young Black actors rising to stardom daily.

In this piece, we’re choosing to celebrate the outstanding talent of some remarkable young African-American actors in Hollywood.

As a fan, I’m excited to share with you a special compilation of 23 extraordinary young Black actors under the age of 40, who are making a significant impact on the entertainment industry. You’ll get a glimpse into their fascinating backgrounds, their ages at the time this article is written, and their most renowned roles to date. Additionally, I’ll highlight some of the prestigious awards and recognitions they have earned so far. Enjoy exploring these talented individuals and their inspiring stories!

Note: the list was made in random order.

Zendaya

Full Name: Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman
Birth: September 1, 1996 in Oakland, CA, USA
Age: 24

Zendaya Marie Stoermer Coleman, born on September 1, 1996, is an actress, singer, and producer hailing from the United States. She started her journey in showbiz as a child model and backup dancer, eventually achieving recognition for her portrayal of Rocky Blue in the Disney Channel sitcom “Shake It Up” (2010-2013).

In 2013, Zendaya participated in the sixteenth season of the television series ‘Dancing with the Stars’. Between 2015 and 2018, she played the lead role as well as produced the sitcom ‘K.C. Undercover’, where her character was called K.C. Cooper.

In the TV show “Euphoria” (2019-present), her portrayal as a teen battling drug addiction won her the Youngest Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, making her the youngest recipient of this honor.

One of her acting roles is in the musical drama “The Greatest Showman” (2017), as well as the superhero movie “Spider-Man: Homecoming” (2017) and its follow-up, “Spider-Man: Far from Home” (2019). These films were released in 2017 and 2019 respectively.

Notable Characters: Spider-Man movie series (Michelle), The Greatest Showman (Anne Wheeler character), Euphoria TV show (Role of Rue Bennett)

Accolades: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Euphoria)

Michael B. Jordan

Full Name: Michael Bakari Jordan
Birth: February 9, 1987 in Santa Ana, CA, USA
Age: 34

Born on the 9th of February, 1987, Michael B. Jordan is an acclaimed American actor and producer. He gained recognition for his roles in movies such as Oscar Grant, a shooting victim in the drama ‘Fruitvale Station’ (2013), boxer Donnie Creed in ‘Creed’ (2015), and Erik Killmonger in ‘Black Panther’ (2018). Notably, all these films were directed by Ryan Coogler.

In 2018, Michael B. Jordan once again took on the character of Creed in the film “Creed II”. He will not only be appearing in, but also making his directorial debut in “Creed III”, which is scheduled for release in 2022.

Initially, Jordan made a debut on television shows. For instance, he portrayed Wallace in the first season of HBO’s crime drama series, “The Wire” (2002); Reggie Montgomery on the ABC daytime soap opera, “All My Children” (2003-2006); and Vince Howard in the NBC sports drama series, “Friday Night Lights” (2009–2011).

Among his film roles, you’ll find appearances in “Red Tails” from 2012, “Chronicle” and “That Awkward Moment,” both released in 2012, “Fantastic Four” in 2015, and most recently, “Just Mercy” where he played the character Bryan Stevenson in 2019.

Notable Performances:

* “Creed” and “Creed II”, portraying Adonis Creed,
* “Black Panther”, as Killmonger,
* “Just Mercy”, in the role of Bryan Stevenson.

Achievements: SAG Award for Exceptional Ensemble Performance in a Film (Black Panther), Teen Choice Award for Top Villain (Black Panther), MTV Movie & TV Award for Outstanding Villainous Performance (Black Panther), NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film (Creed)

Zoë Kravitz

Full Name: Zoë Isabella Kravitz
Birth: December 1, 1988 in Los Angeles, CA, USA
Age: 32

Born on December 1, 1988, Zoë Kravitz hails from the United States and is recognized as an actress, singer, and model. She’s the child of renowned actor-musician Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet. Making her acting debut in the romantic comedy film “No Reservations” (2007), Zoë gained prominence by portraying Angel Salvadore in the superhero film “X-Men: First Class” (2011). This role brought her nominations for a Teen Choice Award and a Scream Award.

Known for her roles as Christina in the Divergent series (2014-2016), Leta Lestrange in the Fantastic Beasts series (2016-2018), Toast the Knowing in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), Catwoman in The Lego Batman Movie (2017), and Mary Jane Watson in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018).

Or, in a more conversational tone:

She’s famous for playing Christina in the Divergent series, Leta Lestrange in Fantastic Beasts, Toast the Knowing in Mad Max: Fury Road, voicing Catwoman in The Lego Batman Movie, and Mary Jane Watson in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

She’s played leading parts in several indie films such as “Dope” (2015), Adam Green’s “Aladdin” (2016), and “Gemini” (2017). Her performances in these roles were highly acclaimed. On the small screen, she received recognition for her leading roles in the HBO drama series “Big Little Lies” (2017-2019) that garnered a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination, and the Hulu romantic comedy series “High Fidelity” (2020).

Kravitz will star as Selina Kyle/Catwoman in Matt Reeves’ DC film The Batman (2022).

Prominent Characters: Leta Lestrange in the Fantastic Beasts franchise, Bonnie Carlson from Big Little Lies, voice actor for Catwoman in the Lego Batman Movie, Angel Salvadore in X-Men: First Class, and Christina in the Divergent series

Well-Known Roles: Leta Lestrange in the Fantastic Beasts films, Bonnie Carlson within Big Little Lies, voice performance as Catwoman for the Lego Batman Movie, Angel Salvadore on X-Men: First Class, and Christina in the Divergent collection.

Accolades: None

Daniel Kaluuya

Full Name: Daniel Kaluuya
Birth: February 24, 1989 in London, United Kingdom
Age: 32

Daniel Kaluuya, born on February 24, 1989, in London, is a multitalented individual who excels as an actor, writer, and model. He has made significant strides in his career in the U.S., earning him numerous accolades. Among these awards are the Oscar, SAG, Golden Globe, and BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor, which he received for his outstanding performance in Judas and The Black Messiah (2021).

He gained recognition by appearing in the second episode of the debut season of “Black Mirror” TV series, as well as the movie “Get Out,” directed by Jordan Peele. His performance in “Get Out” earned him praise from critics and marked his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

Apart from starring in the Marvel film “Black Panther,” he is also known for making appearances in both the initial and subsequent seasons of the television show “Skins.

Notable Characters:

* Chris Washington from “Get Out”
* W’Kabi in “Black Panther”
* Fred Hampton in “Judas and the Black Messiah

Awards: Won Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in “Judas and the Black Messiah”, received BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for the same film, honored with the BAFTA Rising Star Award, and won Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture in “Judas and the Black Messiah” as well.

Alexandra Shipp

Full Name: Alexandra Ruth Shipp
Birth: July 16, 1991 in Phoenix, AZ, USA
Age: 29

Born on July 16, 1991, Alexandra Ruth Shipp hails from the United States. She is a versatile actress and singer who garnered significant recognition for her roles as Aaliyah in the television movie ‘Aaliyah: The R&B Princess’ (2014) on Lifetime, and as Kimberly Woodruff in the critically acclaimed film ‘Straight Outta Compton’ (2015), which was nominated for an Oscar.

Ship is primarily recognized for portraying Storm in the X-Men series, beginning with X-Men: Apocalypse, as well as Abby Suso in the 2018 romantic comedy film titled Love, Simon.

Famous Roles: X-Men films (Storm), Straight Outta Compton (Kimberly Woodruff)

Accolades: None

LaKeith Stanfield

Full Name: LaKeith Lee Stanfield
Birth: August 12, 1991 in San Bernardino, CA, USA
Age: 29

Born on August 12, 1991, LaKeith Lee Stanfield, occasionally recognized as Keith Stanfield, is a multi-talented individual hailing from the United States, proficient in acting and music. Making his mark in the big screen with his debut in the independent drama “Short Term 12” (released in 2013), a film adaptation of the 2008 short movie where he had already made an appearance. This role earned him a nomination for an Independent Spirit Award.

He gained more acclaim for his performances in multiple biographical films, including those of civil rights activist Jimmie Lee Jackson in “Selma” (2014), Snoop Dogg in “Straight Outta Compton” (2015), Patrick Haynes in “Snowden” (2016), and William O’Neal in “Judas and the Black Messiah” (2021). This earned him an Academy Award nomination.

In addition to his roles, Stanfield has been a key player in numerous critically praised films such as “Dope” (2015), “Get Out” (2017), “Sorry to Bother You” (2018), “Someone Great” (2019), “Uncut Gems” (2019), “Knives Out” (2019), and “The Photograph” (2020). Since 2016, he has graced the screens on the FX comedy-drama series “Atlanta”.

Notable Performances: “Get Out” as Andre Hayworth/Logan King, “The Girl in the Spider’s Web” as Edwin Needham, “Uncut Gems” as Demany, “Knives Out” as Detective Lieutenant Elliot, “Judas and the Black Messiah” as William O’Neal, “Atlanta” as Darius Epps, and “Straight Outta Compton” as Snoop Dogg.

Significant Screen Roles: Portraying Andre Hayworth/Logan King in “Get Out”, Edwin Needham in “The Girl in the Spider’s Web”, Demany in “Uncut Gems”, Detective Lieutenant Elliot in “Knives Out”, William O’Neal in “Judas and the Black Messiah”, Darius Epps in “Atlanta”, and Snoop Dogg in “Straight Outta Compton”.

Accolades: None

Jurnee Smollett

Full Name: Jurnee Diana Smollett
Birth: October 1, 1986 in New York, NY, USA
Age: 34

As a dedicated cinephile, I’m proud to share that Jurnee Smollett-Bell, born on October 1, 1986, is an exceptional actress from the United States. My journey with acting started as a child, gracing screens on popular sitcoms like “On Our Own” and “Full House”. However, it was my role as Eve in the independent drama film “Eve’s Bayou”, released in 1997, that truly resonated with critics, earning me both acclaim and the Critic’s Choice Award.

Throughout her career, Smollett has appeared in films such as “The Great Debaters” (2007), “Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor” (2013), and “Birds of Prey” (2020). On television, she’s known for her roles in the NBC sports drama “Friday Night Lights” (2009-2011), HBO’s vampire drama “True Blood” (2013-2014), WGN America’s period drama “Underground”, and as Letitia Lewis in HBO’s supernatural horror drama “Lovecraft Country”.

Notable Characters:

* Eve’s Bayou as Eve Batiste
* Birds of Prey featuring Dinah Lance, also known as Black Canary
* Lovecraft Country with Letitia “Leti” Lewis

Awards: Eve’s Bayou – Winning the Critics’ Choice Award for Outstanding Young Actor, Lovecraft Country – Receiving the Critics’ Choice Super Award for Best Actress in a Horror TV Series

Or, more concisely:

Awards: Won the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Young Performer (Eve’s Bayou) and received the Critics’ Choice Super Award for Best Actress in a Horror Series (Lovecraft Country)

Jonathan Majors

Full Name: Jonathan Majors
Birth: September 7, 1989 in Lompoc, CA, USA
Age: 31

Born on September 7, 1989, Jonathan Majors is an accomplished actor from the United States. He first gained recognition through his role in the indie film “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” (2019). However, it was his portrayal of Atticus Freeman in the HBO television show “Lovecraft Country” (2020) that brought him further attention on a broader scale.

Born in 1989, Jonathan Majors completed his Master of Fine Arts in acting from the Yale School of Drama. In 2015, this accomplished actor received recognition from the National Society of Arts and Letters (NSAL) during their National Drama Competition.

Since 2011, Major has been active as an actor. His debut was in the TV series When We Rise. In 2017, he landed a role in the western movie Enemies – Hostiles. He played a supporting part in the drama White Boy Rick in 2018. Captive State was released in theaters in 2019, where Major appeared as well.

In 2019, Majors earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Independent Spirit Awards, recognition for his portrayal of Montgomery Allen in Joe Talbot’s movie “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” released that same year.

Notable Characters: Atticus Freeman in “Lovecraft Country” and Montgomery Allen in “The Last Black Man in San Francisco”

Or simply:

Prominent Roles: Atticus Freeman from “Lovecraft Country” and Montgomery Allen of “The Last Black Man in San Francisco”

Both versions convey the same meaning, but the second one is slightly more concise.

Accolades: None

Trevante Rhodes

Full Name: Trevante Nemour Rhodes
Birth: February 10, 1990 in Ponchatoula, LA, USA
Age: 31

Trevante Rhodes, born on February 10, 1990 in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, is a renowned American actor who was once a professional sprinter. At the age of ten, he relocated with his family to Dallas, Texas. He completed his high school education at Little Elm High School and later pursued higher studies at the University of Texas at Austin, where he stood out as a talented athlete.

In the years of 200 and 100 meters, he raced as a sprinter. Back in 2009, he took part in the Pan American Junior Athletics Championships held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. During this event, his team was able to win the gold medal in the 4 × 100 meters relay with his contribution.

Following my academic journey, I made a bold leap to sunny Los Angeles with dreams of treading the boards as an actor. My initial forays into this captivating world were through short films and minor roles. However, it was my leading part in Barry Jenkins’ acclaimed masterpiece, Moonlight, that catapulted me into the global spotlight.

Famous Roles: Moonlight (Chiron / Black), The United States vs. Billie Holiday (Jimmy Fletcher)

Accolades: Black Reel Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male (Moonlight)

Janelle Monáe

Full Name: Janelle Monáe Robinson
Birth: December 1, 1985 in Kansas City, KS, USA
Age:

Born on December 1, 1985, Janelle Monáe Robinson is a multitalented artist hailing from the United States. She’s known for her work in singing, songwriting, rapping, acting, record production, and modeling. This versatile artist is associated with Atlantic Records, as well as her own label, Wondaland Arts Society.

Janelle Monáe has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards, and she claimed the MTV Video Music Award and the ASCAP Vanguard Award back in 2010. Moreover, she was bestowed with the Billboard Women in Music Rising Star Award in 2015 and the Trailblazer of the Year Award in 2018.

2016 saw Janelle Monáe stepping into the world of films for the first time with significant roles in two high-profile productions. She portrayed NASA mathematician and aerospace engineer Mary Jackson in the movie “Hidden Figures”, and also took on a role in “Moonlight”.

In 2018, Janelle Monáe’s third studio album, titled “Dirty Computer,” received much praise from critics. Many publications named it the best album of the year, and it garnered her two nominations at the 61st Grammy Awards, including a nod for Album of the Year.

The album first appeared at position six on the Billboard 200 chart and received additional promotion through Monáe’s Dirty Computer Tour, which ran from June to August in 2018.

Famous Roles: Moonlight (Teresa), Hidden Figures (Mary Jackson), Antebellum (Veronica Henley/Eden)

Accolades: Critics’ Choice Award for Best Acting Ensemble (Moonlight)

Jaden Smith

Full Name: Jaden Christopher Syre Smith
Birth: July 8, 1998 in Malibu, CA, USA
Age: 22

Born on July 8, 1998, Jaden Smith, also simply known as Jaden, is a multitalented individual from the United States. He’s an actor, musician, and songwriter. His initial acting debut was alongside his dad, Will Smith, in the 2006 movie “The Pursuit of Happyness,” and they collaborated again in the 2013 film “After Earth.

He also starred in the remake films The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) and The Karate Kid (2010).

In the month of November 2014, he unveiled his second mixtape, CTV2. After three years of dedicated work, he debuted his first studio album, Syre, on November 17, 2017. His third studio album, Erys, was made available to the public on July 5, 2019.

On August 28, 2020, Smith released his third studio album titled “CTV3: Cool Tape Vol. 3.” Since 2017, he has resumed his acting career, appearing in the two-part Netflix production “The Get Down” and providing voice acting for the anime series “Neo Yokio,” both of which are exclusive to Netflix.

Famous Roles: The Pursuit of Happyness (Christopher Gardner Jr.), The Karate Kid (Dre Parker)

Achievements:

– Teen Choice Award in the category ‘Choice Movie Chemistry’ (shared with Will Smith, for the film “The Pursuit of Happyness”)
– MTV Movie Award for ‘Breakthrough Performance’ (also for the movie “The Pursuit of Happyness”)

Zazie Beetz

Full Name: Zazie Olivia Beetz
Birth: May 25, 1991 in Berlin, Germany
Age: 29

Zazie Olivia Beetz hails from both Germany and America, making her a versatile actress. She graces the screen in the FX show Atlanta (2016-present), earning herself a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

Additionally, she was featured in the Netflix anthology series “Easy,” which aired from 2016 to 19, and provides the voice for Amber Bennett in Amazon’s animated superhero series “Invincible.

On the big screen, Beetz has been featured in the disaster movie “Geostorm” (2017), portrayed the Marvel Comics character Domino in the superhero film “Deadpool 2” (2018), and played Sophie, a neighbor to Arthur Fleck/Joker, in the psychological thriller “Joker” (2019).

Famous Roles: Atlanta (Vanessa “Van” Keefer), Deadpool 2 (Domino), Joker (Sophie)

Accolades: None

Letitia Wright

Full Name: Letitia Michelle Wright
Birth: October 31, 1993 in Georgetown, Guyana
Age: 27

Born on October 31, 1993, Letitia Michelle Wright hails from both Guyana and Britain. She started her acting journey with brief appearances in shows like Top Boy, Coming Up, Chasing Shadows, Humans, Doctor Who, and Black Mirror. For her role in Black Mirror, she was even nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.

Afterward, she made a significant leap in her acting career for her part in the 2015 film “Urban Hymn.” The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) recognized Wright as one of their 2015 BAFTA Breakthrough Brits.

2018 saw her achieve worldwide fame for her role as Shuri in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movie “Black Panther.” This performance earned her an NAACP Image Award and a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award.

In 2018 and 2019, she took on the role again in “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame,” with the latter breaking box office records as the highest-grossing film ever made. That same year, she was honored with the BAFTA Rising Star Award. Additionally, she featured in the 2020 series “Small Axe,” which earned her a Satellite Award nomination.

Famous Roles: Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame (Shuri), Small Axe (Altheia Jones)

Achievements: Won the Teen Choice Award for the Best Actress in a Science Fiction Movie (for “Black Panther”), and received the BAFTA Rising Star Award.

Winston Duke

Full Name: Winston Duke
Birth: November 15, 1986 in Argyle, Trinidad and Tobago
Age: 34

Born on November 15, 1986, Winston Duke hails from Tobago and is an accomplished actor. Most notably, he played the character M’Baku in the Marvel movies “Black Panther” (2018), “Avengers: Infinity War” (2018) and “Avengers: Endgame” (2019). Additionally, he appeared in Jordan Peele’s horror movie “Us” (2019).

Prior to his role on ‘Person of Interest’, Duke honed his acting skills by performing in plays for the Portland Stage Company and Yale Repertory Theatre. During his time at Yale, he formed a friendship with fellow actor Lupita Nyong’o, who he later collaborated with in ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Us’.

In 2012, Duke made a trip back home to Trinidad and Tobago to appear on stage in the play “An Echo in the Bone“. He starred alongside actress Taromi Lourdes Joseph and was directed by Timmia Hearn Feldman, who is also an alumna of Yale University.

Notable Characters Portrayed: M’Baku in Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, as well as Gabe Wilson/Abraham in the movie Us.

Achievements: Screen Actors Guild Prize for Extraordinary Teamwork in a Film (Black Panther)

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Full Name: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Birth: July 15, 1986 in New Orleans, LA, USA
Age: 34

Born on July 15, 1986, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is a talented American actor. He gained significant recognition for his roles in various films and series. Notably, he played the character David Kane/Black Manta in the DC superhero movie ‘Aquaman’ (2018), portrayed Bobby Seale in the Netflix historical drama ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ (2020), and starred as Cal Abar in the HBO series ‘Watchmen’ (2019).

Later on, he bagged a Primetime Emmy for the Best Supporting Actor category in a Limited Series or Motion Picture. Additionally, he featured in an installment of “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Black Mirror”.

Following his role in the Netflix musical drama series The Get Down from 2016 to 2017, Abdul-Mateen went on to act in several movies such as Baywatch (released in 2017), The Greatest Showman (also in 2017), and Us (which came out in 2019).

Significant Characters Portrayed:

* Aquaman (David Kane / Black Manta)
* Us (Russel Thomas / Weyland)
* The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Bobby Seale)
* Watchmen (Cal Abar / Dr. Manhattan)

Awards and Recognitions: The cast of “The Trial of the Chicago 7” received the Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Acting Ensemble, the Satellite Award for Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture, and was nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Additionally, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his role in “Watchmen”.

John Boyega

Full Name: John Adedayo Bamidele Adegboyega
Birth: 17 March 1992 in London, United Kingdom
Age: 29

Born on March 17, 1992, John Boyega, whose birth name is John Adedayo Bamidele Adegboyega, is a versatile performer who works as both an actor and a producer in the UK. He is of British-Nigerian heritage.

Initially, he gained recognition in his home country Britain due to his portrayal of Moses in the 2011 sci-fi comedy film “Attack the Block”. His career took an international leap with his role as Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy films, namely “The Force Awakens” (2015), “The Last Jedi” (2017), and “The Rise of Skywalker” (2019).

Besides these, he has also been recognized for his work in the drama movie ‘Imperial Dreams’ (2014), the historical-drama film ‘Detroit’ (2017), the sci-fi movie ‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’ (2018), and four episodes of the TV show ’24: Live Another Day’.

In 2016, John Boyega won the BAFTA Rising Star Award and also received the Trophée Chopard at the Cannes Film Festival. Additionally, he was recognized as one of the Top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine in 2020.

In the third installment of Steve McQueen’s television anthology series “Small Axe” (2020), John Boyega took on the role of Leroy Logan. His captivating portrayal earned him the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series, or Motion Picture made for TV, as well as the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Movie or Miniseries.

Notable Film Roles:
Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker as FN-2187 / Finn, Attack the Block featuring Moses, Detroit portraying Melvin Dismukes, and Small Axe with Leroy Logan.

Awards and Honors: John Boyega won the Black Reel Award for his role as Best Actor in “Attack the Block”. He also received the BAFTA Rising Star Award, the Empire Award for Best Male Newcomer in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie for “Small Axe”, and the Golden Globe Award for his Supporting Actor performance in “Small Axe” on television.

Amandla Stenberg

Full Name: Amandla Stenberg
Birth: October 23, 1998 in Los Angeles, CA, USA
Age: 22

Born on October 23, 1998, Amandla Stenberg hails from the United States and is a versatile actress and musician. She has made a significant impact through her acting performances and public persona, earning numerous recognitions. In fact, she was featured in Time’s list of the Most Impactful Teens not just once, but twice – in 2015 and 2016.

In her first acting role, Stenberg appeared in the movie “Colombiana” (2011). However, it was her portrayal of Rue in “The Hunger Games” (2012) that truly catapulted her to fame, earning her a Teen Choice Award.

They gained significant praise for their performances in the roles of Maddy Whittier in the 2017 film “Everything, Everything” and Starr Carter in the movie “The Hate U Give” (2018). The latter role brought her an NAACP Image Award and a nomination for a Critics’ Choice Award.

Besides lending her voice to Bia in the 2014 movie “Rio 2”, she also played leading roles as Ruby in “The Darkest Minds” (2018) and Leyna in “Where Hands Touch” (2018).

On television, Stenberg frequently appeared as Macey Irving in the show Sleepy Hollow (from 2013 to 2014), took the leading role as Halle Foster in the comedy series Mr. Robinson (in 2015), and played Julie in the Netflix miniseries The Eddy (in 2020).

Back in 2015, she first appeared musically as half of the folk-rock duo known as Honeywater. One of their songs, titled “Let My Baby Stay,” was included in the movie “Everything, Everything” which premiered in 2018.

Famous Roles: Colombiana (Young Cataleya), The Hunger Games (Rue), The Hate U Give (Starr Carter),

Awards: NCAAP Image Award for Exceptional Performance by an Actress in a Film (The Hate U Give), Teen Choice Award for Outstanding On-Screen Chemistry (The Hunger Games), shared with Jennifer Lawrence

The NCAAP Image Award I received was for the best actress role in a movie titled The Hate U Give. Additionally, I also got the Teen Choice Award for having great on-screen chemistry with Jennifer Lawrence in the film The Hunger Games.

Caleb McLaughlin

Full Name: Caleb Reginald McLaughlin
Birth: October 13, 2001 in Carmel, NY, USA
Age: 19

Born on October 13, 2001, in Carmel, New York, Caleb McLaughlin is an American performer who first made his mark on Broadway as a young Simba in “The Lion King.” Prior to his acting career, he was a student at the Harlem School of Arts.

He gained global recognition for portraying Lucas Sinclair in the US sci-fi mystery show “Stranger Things,” which streams on Netflix. He featured in all three seasons. In 2017, him and his fellow series actors won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Exceptional Teamwork in a Drama Series.

Famous Roles: Stranger Things (Lucas Sinclair)

As a passionate cinephile, I am proud to have been recognized with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award for delivering an exceptional ensemble performance in the captivating drama series, “Stranger Things.” Additionally, it is an honor to be awarded the NAACP Image Award for my outstanding contribution as a young performer in the series, special, television movie, or limited series category of “Stranger Things.” These accolades serve as testament to the power of our collective storytelling and the impact we have on audiences.

Kiersey Clemons

Full Name: Kiersey Nicole Clemons
Birth: December 17, 1993 in Pensacola, FL, USA
Age: 27

Kiersey Clemons hails from Pensacola, Florida, where she was born in December 1993. She kicked off her acting career in 2010 with a couple of episodes on the Disney Channel sitcom ‘Shake It Up’, playing Danielle. The following year saw guest roles in ‘Good Luck Charlie’ and ‘Bucket & Skinner’s Epic Adventures’.

In the TV show “Austin & Ally,” which is a production of Disney Channel, Laura Marano gained recognition for her portrayal of Kira Starr, a role she’s played since 2013 in this sitcom.

Simultaneously, she landed her debut leading role, which was Skye Sailor in the Disney Channel original movie “Cloud 9”. In May 2014, she appeared in Trey Songz’s music video for “SmartPhones”, and you can catch her in a secondary role on the Amazon series “Transparent”.

Back in the vibrant month of September 2014, I found myself stepping into the limelight, teaming up with the talented Victoria Justice for the MTV chiller series titled “Eye Candy.” From the frosty days of January to the blossoming spring of March, I breathed life into the character of Sophia on this captivating show.

Notable Characters:

– Cassandra “Diggy” Andrews from the film “Dope”
– Iris West in Zack Snyder’s version of “Justice League”
– Julia in the movie “Antebellum

Accolades: Black Reel Award for Best Breakthrough Performance, Female (Dope)

Quvenzhané Wallis

Full Name: Quvenzhané Wallis
Birth: August 28, 2003 in Houma, LA, USA
Age: 17

Wallis attained fame for her starring role in Benh Zeitlin’s 2012 film, “Beasts of the Southern Wild.” Her portrayal of the imaginative and nature-loving character, Hushpuppy, not only garnered several accolades but also secured her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.

At just nine years old, she holds the title as the youngest nominee ever in this Academy Award category, surpassing the previous record held by Keisha Castle-Hughes from New Zealand (for her role in “Whale Rider”), who was nominated for Best Actress at age thirteen in 2004.

Following a triumphant first appearance on the big screen, Wallis secured another part working alongside Dwight Henry for director Steve McQueen’s historical drama ’12 Years a Slave’. This film hit American theaters in October 2013.

In 2013, the filming started for the remake of the renowned American musical “Annie”. Quvenzhané Wallis starred as Annie, sharing the screen with Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz. Her outstanding performance in “Annie” earned her a nomination for a Golden Globe Award. In 2019, she portrayed the character Kyra in the ABC comedy series “Black-ish”.

Known Characters:

* The Beasts of the Southern Wild (Hushpuppy)
* 12 Years a Slave (Margaret Northup)
* Annie (Annie Bennett Stacks)
* Black-ish (Kyra)

Accolades: Satellite Award for Best Breakthrough Actress (Beasts of the Southern Wild)

Chosen Jacobs

Full Name: Chosen Jacobs
Birth: July 1, 2001 in Springfield, MA, USA
Age: 19

Born on July 1, 2001, Chosen Jacobs is a multitalented American performer recognized primarily for his roles in television and films. He gained notoriety for his recurring part as Will Grover in the CBS police procedural series Hawaii Five-0, as well as for portraying Mike Hanlon in the 2017 movie adaptation of Stephen King’s novel It, and its sequel It: Chapter Two.

Jacob, whose moniker originated from an infant-like utterance that resembled “chosen” to his father, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. At a tender age, he relocated to Atlanta, where he grew up. Initially, music was his forte; he would sing and play both the guitar and piano.

Initially, his mom signed him up for drama workshops, whereupon he embarked on his acting journey. His debut performance was in an advertisement for Hot Wheels. In the year 2015, he shifted base to Hollywood with aspirations of advancing both his music and acting professions.

Famous Roles: It and It: Chapter Two (Mike Hanlon), When the Streetlights Go On (Charlie Chambers)

Accolades: MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Team (It)

Jessica Lucas

Full Name: Jessica Lucas
Birth: September 24, 1985 in Vancouver, Canada
Age: 35

Hailing from Vancouver, Canada, she was born to a father of African-Canadian origin and a Canadian mother with European ancestry. She embarked on her acting journey at the tender age of seven. Throughout her career, she has graced various television shows including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The L Word, 90210, Psych, and Romeo!.

2001 marks her debut in the leading role for the TV show “Edgemont,” where she portrayed Bekka Lawrence. A year later, in 2002, she joined the cast of the series “2030 CE” and played Jakki Kaan. In 2006, she landed a part in the movie “The Covenant,” directed by Renny Harlin.

Between 2004 and 2005, she acted in the TV show “Life as We Know It,” portraying Sue Miller. Then, from 2009 to 2010, she was a main character on the “Melrose Place” series, playing Riley Richmond. In 2014, she appeared in Paul W. S. Anderson’s movie, “Pompeii.

In 2013, she appeared in the television series “Cult” as Skye Yarrow, but unfortunately, the show was discontinued after its debut season. Beginning in 2015, however, she became a member of the cast for the series “Gotham”, portraying the character Tabitha Galavan, a ruthless criminal.

Famous Roles: Cloverfield (Lily Ford), Edgemont (Bekka Lawrence), Gotham (Tabitha Galavan)

Accolades: None

Tyler James Williams

Full Name: Tyler James Williams
Birth: October 9, 1992 in Westchester, NY, USA
Age: 28

Tyler James Williams, born on October 9, 1992, in Westchester County, New York, is a well-known American actor. He gained widespread recognition for his role as the lead character in the television sitcom “Everyone Hates Chris” (airing from 2005 to 2009), which earned him the distinction of being the youngest actor to win an NAACP Image Award.

Subsequently, he joined the primary cast of three temporary shows: initially, the sitcom “Go On” (2012-2013), followed by the police series “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders” (2016-2017). Simultaneously, he secured a recurring part in the horror series “The Walking Dead” (2014-2015).

Ultimately, he became a part of the primary ensemble in the action series “Whiskey Cavalier” (2019). Leveraging his newfound fame, he appeared in films like “Unaccompanied Children” (2006), “Dear White People” (2014), and “Detroit” (2017).

Notable Characters:

– Detroit (Leon)
– The United States vs. Billie Holiday (Lester ‘Prez’ Young)
– Everybody Hates Chris (Chris)
– Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders (Russ “Monty” Montgomery)
– The Walking Dead (Noah)

– Iconic Portrayals:
– Detroit (Leon)
– The United States vs. Billie Holiday (Lester ‘Prez’ Young)
– Everybody Hates Chris (Chris)
– Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders (Russ “Monty” Montgomery)
– The Walking Dead (Noah)

– Known Roles Include:
– Detroit as Leon
– The United States vs. Billie Holiday as Lester ‘Prez’ Young
– Everybody Hates Chris as Chris
– Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders as Russ “Monty” Montgomery
– The Walking Dead as Noah

Accolades: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series (Everybody Hates Chris)

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2025-06-02 18:20