White Actors Who Played People Of Color in Movies

For years, Hollywood has frequently cast white actors to play characters who were originally written as people of color. This practice has happened in both older, classic films and more recent releases, affecting portrayals of Native American, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latino characters. We’ve documented specific examples, detailing the role, the film it appeared in, and other relevant information to clearly show how this casting occurred.

This list highlights key feature films, showcasing one notable movie for each actor. The dates provided refer to the year each film was made. We’ve included details about the characters, locations, and how the movie was produced to give you a better understanding of the performance and the film itself.

Laurence Olivier in ‘Othello’ (1965)

As a film buff, I recently watched Laurence Olivier’s performance as Othello, taken from a National Theatre production directed by Stuart Burge. It was fascinating to see how Olivier really *became* the character – he used heavy makeup, a wig with tight curls, and completely changed his voice and movements to match Shakespeare’s vision of the Moorish general. It felt like a very deliberate attempt to portray Othello as Shakespeare wrote him.

The movie was filmed in color and shown in theaters, starring Laurence Olivier alongside Maggie Smith as Desdemona and Frank Finlay as Iago. It earned several Academy Award nominations, including one for Olivier as best actor.

John Wayne in ‘The Conqueror’ (1956)

I recently learned that John Wayne played Temujin – the man who eventually becomes Genghis Khan – in a really ambitious movie. It was a huge production, filmed right here in Utah and backed by Howard Hughes for RKO. They went all out with the details to make it feel authentic; think period armor, carefully crafted facial hair, and even the way Wayne spoke – everything was designed to really convince you he was a powerful Mongol warlord.

Directed by Dick Powell, the movie starred Susan Hayward and Pedro Armendáriz. It brought Central Asian battles to life with stunning widescreen visuals and on-location shooting in the desert. The studio promoted it as a grand spectacle filled with both action and romance, drawing on famous historical events and settings.

Mickey Rooney in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ (1961)

I always loved that little part Mickey Rooney played in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’! He was Mr. Yunioshi, Holly’s neighbor, and it was such a memorable character. They really transformed him with some clever makeup, fake teeth, and costuming to make him look like a Japanese photographer. It was a pretty striking look, and I always admired how committed he was to the role.

Paramount produced the movie, which was filmed in and around apartments and streets in Manhattan, starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. Mickey Rooney’s part of the production included humorous scenes involving getting into buildings, managing camera gear, and dealing with noise complaints from the hallway.

Peter Sellers in ‘The Party’ (1968)

Peter Sellers played Hrundi V. Bakshi, an Indian actor who mistakenly receives an invitation to a party at a Hollywood mansion. The character was known for his exaggerated accent, mustache, and the use of brownface makeup, and the humor came from watching him navigate this unfamiliar, upper-class environment – all within the confines of a single location.

Blake Edwards directed the film, which was primarily filmed on an elaborate house set. It used lengthy, uninterrupted shots and relied heavily on physical comedy, including gags with a broken intercom, a faulty fountain, and a constantly growing number of guests. The music was composed by Henry Mancini.

Charlton Heston in ‘Touch of Evil’ (1958)

Charlton Heston starred as Miguel Vargas, a Mexican law enforcement officer investigating a bombing near the border. His appearance-including makeup, hair, and clothing-helped establish him as a local police official working within the story’s setting of courthouses and border towns.

Universal Pictures produced the film, and Orson Welles directed it. They filmed on location in California towns to create the atmosphere of a border setting. There are several different versions of the film, including one later assembled based on notes from the director.

Fisher Stevens in ‘Short Circuit’ (1986)

Stevens played the role of Ben Jabituya, who later became known as Ben Jahrvi, an engineer of Indian descent. His character helped construct and fix the Number Five robot. To create the part, Stevens wore heavy makeup, a wig, and used a strong accent, and the scenes often took place in laboratories and workshops.

The movie takes place near a military contractor’s building and in a small town where a robot on the run takes refuge with a friendly local. A follow-up film, ‘Short Circuit 2,’ continued the robot’s adventures, and the original actor reprised his role.

Emma Stone in ‘Aloha’ (2015)

Stone portrayed Allison Ng, a consultant for the Air Force with a background as both Chinese and Native Hawaiian. The character’s story incorporated elements of Hawaiian culture and her work on military projects in Oahu, all within a plot centered around satellite contracts and gaining access to military bases.

Cameron Crowe wrote and directed the film, shooting it on location in Hawaii, including at Hickam Field and throughout Honolulu. The movie involved a diverse group of people – active military officers, civilian contractors, and local Hawaiians – who brought both island culture and aerospace expertise to the production.

Scarlett Johansson in ‘Ghost in the Shell’ (2017)

Scarlett Johansson played Major Mira Killian in a film based on a popular Japanese manga and anime. The story follows a police officer who has a robotic body and uses advanced technology for surveillance and crime-fighting in the city. Her look included a synthetic body and specialized tactical suits.

Rupert Sanders directed the film, which was a collaboration between Paramount and DreamWorks. Filming took place in both Hong Kong and Wellington, and the movie relied heavily on visual effects. The story drew from the original character of Motoko Kusanagi and delved into themes of transferring identity and using memory implants.

Rooney Mara in ‘Pan’ (2015)

Mara played Tiger Lily, an important leader of the tribes in Neverland, in this new take on the classic J.M. Barrie stories. The part involved scenes where she led others, wearing traditional clothing and face paint, and also practicing fighting skills.

Joe Wright directed the film for Warner Bros., shooting it at Leavesden Studios. They built impressive, real sets for pirate ships and jungle villages. The story connected Tiger Lily to a prediction about Peter Pan and featured daring rescues from the villain, Blackbeard.

Luise Rainer in ‘The Good Earth’ (1937)

Rainer portrayed O Lan, a farmer’s wife in a film based on Pearl S. Buck’s novel about life in the Chinese countryside and a time of famine. Extensive makeup and hairstyling transformed her look to convincingly depict a woman living and working in a rural village in northern China.

MGM created the film, starring Paul Muni as Wang Lung. To recreate the landscapes of the story – fields, marketplaces, and even dust storms – they filmed in California and built extensive sets. Luise Rainer won an Academy Award for her acting in the movie.

Katharine Hepburn in ‘Dragon Seed’ (1944)

Hepburn played Jade, a woman from a Chinese village who becomes involved in the fight against the Japanese after they invade. The filmmakers used authentic costumes, hairstyles, and makeup to show her family’s struggle as they were caught between the occupying forces and those resisting them.

The movie, adapted from Pearl S. Buck’s novel and created by MGM, used built sets to depict scenes of village life, including gatherings, supply searches, and small battles. Walter Huston and Aline MacMahon starred as part of a large family in the film.

Marlon Brando in ‘The Teahouse of the August Moon’ (1956)

Marlon Brando portrayed Sakini, a local Okinawan man who helped American soldiers manage the island after the war. To play the part, Brando used makeup to change his appearance and adopted an accent while describing Okinawan traditions and the villagers’ encounters with the officers.

I was completely captivated by this film! It’s based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by John Patrick, and Daniel Mann really brought it to life with beautiful black and white cinematography. The actors, especially Glenn Ford and Machiko Kyō, were fantastic, and the scenes they filmed – from everyday school life to elegant geisha performances and inspiring community projects – were just stunning.

Burt Lancaster in ‘Apache’ (1954)

Lancaster played Massai, a Chiricahua Apache warrior fighting against being forced to move to Florida after Geronimo’s surrender. The show’s look included special makeup to darken skin tones, long hair, and costumes that fit the historical American Southwest.

Robert Aldrich directed this film, which features exciting horseback chases, train sequences, and scenes set in desert hideouts. The story is based on Paul Wellman’s novel, ‘Bronco Apache’, and was released by United Artists.

Robert Downey Jr. in ‘Tropic Thunder’ (2008)

Robert Downey Jr. played Kirk Lazarus, an actor known for fully immersing himself in roles. In a movie within the movie, Lazarus portrays a sergeant fighting in the Vietnam War. To look the part, Downey Jr.’s character used heavy makeup and prosthetics. He stayed in character even when the cameras weren’t rolling, and the film crew found themselves in a dangerous, realistic jungle environment that unexpectedly turned chaotic.

Ben Stiller directed and largely filmed the movie on the island of Kauai. The cast includes Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Jay Baruchel, Brandon T. Jackson, and Nick Nolte, with special appearances by Tom Cruise and Matthew McConaughey. The actor’s performance earned him significant awards, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The film follows his character’s journey through difficult on-set talks, a fight for survival in the jungle, and ultimately reveals his true identity during the rescue.

Johnny Depp in ‘The Lone Ranger’ (2013)

Johnny Depp portrayed Tonto, a Comanche character who teams up with John Reid in a Disney Western film. His costume featured face paint and a crow headdress, a design inspired by a painting from the early 20th century.

As a movie fan, I was really impressed with how Gore Verbinski shot this film. They didn’t just stick to a studio – they actually filmed on location in places like New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and California! And the train action? Forget about it! It wasn’t just trains driving around; we’re talking chases across bridges, wild pursuits through canyons, and this amazing final showdown between trains running side-by-side. It was a visual feast!

Ben Affleck in ‘Argo’ (2012)

Ben Affleck played Tony Mendez, a CIA officer of Cuban descent who planned the rescue of six American diplomats trapped in Tehran during the hostage crisis. The movie showed how spies work, including creating fake identities, finding locations, and getting passports ready.

Warner Bros. created a film that vividly depicts the late 1970s and early 1980s, filming in locations meant to represent Washington D.C., Hollywood, and the Middle East. The movie was a critical success, winning the Academy Award for Best Picture, as well as awards for its editing and screenplay.

Al Pacino in ‘Scarface’ (1983)

Let me tell you, Al Pacino *is* Tony Montana in ‘Scarface.’ He absolutely disappears into the role of this Cuban immigrant arriving in Miami during a really turbulent time. Pacino doesn’t just play the part, he *becomes* Montana, and a huge part of that is the details – the convincing Cuban accent, the iconic scar, and the way his wardrobe changes to reflect his climb through the world of nightclubs and drug dealing. It’s a truly transformative performance, visually and aurally.

Brian De Palma directed the film, based on a script by Oliver Stone, and Universal Pictures distributed it. Filming took place in both Miami and Los Angeles, utilizing settings like nightclubs, luxurious waterfront homes, and city streets for dramatic scenes.

Linda Hunt in ‘The Year of Living Dangerously’ (1982)

Okay, so I was just thinking about Hugh Hunt’s performance – he really nailed playing Billy Kwan. Billy’s this incredibly interesting character, a Chinese Australian photographer in Jakarta, and he basically guides this foreign journalist through a really turbulent time. What I loved was how Hunt transformed himself for the role. He went with a shorter haircut, wore these sharp suits, and really worked on his voice to create this guy who felt comfortable moving between all these different worlds – from high-level diplomats to people on the ground making things happen.

I remember seeing Peter Weir’s film – it really pulled you in with its depiction of the events leading up to a coup attempt. The scenes felt so real, jumping between newsrooms, embassies, and just everyday city life. And Helen Hunt was incredible in it; she absolutely deserved her Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. It was a truly captivating performance.

Christopher Lee in ‘The Face of Fu Manchu’ (1965)

Christopher Lee famously played Dr. Fu Manchu, a villain created by Sax Rohmer, in a British thriller that kicked off a film series. The character was brought to life with a distinctive look – a mustache, long robes, and makeup – portraying a sinister scientist working from secret labs.

Harry Alan Towers produced the film, which was filmed in Dublin and Munich and starred Nigel Green as Nayland Smith. It was followed by sequels that boasted impressive sets, including tombs, riverside hideouts, and chemical plants.

Boris Karloff in ‘The Mask of Fu Manchu’ (1932)

Karloff played the role of Fu Manchu in an MGM adventure film about archaeologists hunting for treasures linked to Genghis Khan. The character was designed with a thin mustache, pointed beard, and wore satin robes, carrying both lab equipment and ancient ceremonial objects.

The movie also starred Myrna Loy as Fah Lo See and Lewis Stone as the director of a museum. The sets included large halls, prison cells, and a main operating room filled with electrical equipment.

Warner Oland in ‘Charlie Chan in Shanghai’ (1935)

Oland played Charlie Chan, a clever detective from Honolulu who helped solve crimes while traveling the world. To create the character, filmmakers relied on makeup, a distinctive mustache, and elegant clothing to portray him as a keen and polite investigator.

The film, released by Twentieth Century Fox, was part of a series inspired by the novels of Earl Derr Biggers. Set in Shanghai, the story featured exciting elements like nightclub shows, secret codes, and investigations at the customs office.

Share the examples you would add in the comments so we can build a complete record together.

2025-09-15 00:48