Black Actresses Who Are Only Children

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The world of entertainment is incredibly diverse, but growing up without siblings can give actors a special viewpoint. Several successful Black actresses achieved stardom as only children, and often point to their independent and imaginative childhoods as key to their success. These talented women have become leading figures in film and television, appearing in award-winning and iconic projects. Here’s a look at some notable Black actresses who were raised as only children and have left a lasting mark on the entertainment industry.

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington grew up in the Bronx as an only child to Valerie and Earl Washington. She became internationally known for her role as Olivia Pope in the hit TV series ‘Scandal’, earning her several award nominations. She’s also appeared in highly praised films like ‘Ray’, ‘The Last King of Scotland’, and ‘Django Unchained’. Washington has often said that being an only child fostered her independence and helped her concentrate on her studies. Before dedicating herself to acting, she went to the Spence School and George Washington University.

Naomie Harris

Naomie Harris is a British actress who grew up in London, raised by a single mother. She became internationally known for playing Eve Moneypenny in the recent James Bond films – ‘Skyfall’, ‘Spectre’, and ‘No Time to Die’. Harris received an Academy Award nomination and widespread acclaim for her role in the 2016 film ‘Moonlight’. She often speaks about her strong relationship with her mother, a TV writer, as a major influence in her life. Beyond Bond and ‘Moonlight’, she’s also appeared in popular films like ‘28 Days Later’ and the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ series.

Danielle Brooks

Danielle Brooks grew up in South Carolina as an only child, and has often spoken about her close relationship with her parents, both of whom were ministers. She first became well-known for playing Tasha “Taystee” Jefferson on the Netflix series ‘Orange Is the New Black’. More recently, her compelling performance in the 2023 film version of ‘The Color Purple’ earned her an Academy Award nomination. Brooks is also a successful stage actress, receiving a Tony Award nomination for her work in the Broadway production of ‘The Color Purple’.

Ruth Negga

I’m a huge fan of Ruth Negga, and her story is just as captivating as her performances. She was actually born in Ethiopia, to an Irish mom and an Ethiopian dad, and grew up as an only child. She moved to Ireland when she was young and went on to study at Trinity College Dublin. From there, she really blossomed into a fantastic stage and screen actress. I was blown away by her in ‘Loving’ – she absolutely deserved that Oscar nomination for playing Mildred Loving. You might also recognize her from TV; she was brilliant in ‘Preacher’ and had a role in ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ too. She’s talked about how growing up as an only child and moving between cultures really built her strength and resilience, and I think that definitely comes across in her work.

Aisha Hinds

Aisha Hinds, a native of Brooklyn, New York, had a childhood filled with support for her creative passions. She’s become a recognizable face on television, particularly for her powerful performance as Henrietta “Hen” Wilson on ‘9-1-1’. Hinds has also appeared in films like ‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters’, ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’, and ‘Beyond the Lights’. She earned widespread acclaim for playing Harriet Tubman in the series ‘Underground’. Throughout her acting career, Hinds has drawn upon the self-discipline and drive she developed growing up as an only child to take on challenging and physically demanding roles.

Pearl Mackie

Pearl Mackie is a British actress best known for playing Bill Potts in the popular sci-fi show ‘Doctor Who’. Growing up as an only child in Brixton, London, she was always encouraged to explore performing arts. After training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, she acted in several stage plays, including a celebrated production of ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’. Her time on ‘Doctor Who’ was particularly well-received, bringing a vibrant and realistic quality to the show. Mackie has often spoken about how being an only child helped her become independent and imaginative.

Sophie Okonedo

Born in London to a Nigerian father and Jewish mother, this celebrated British actress was raised mainly by her mother after her parents separated when she was five. She’s known for powerful performances in films like ‘Hotel Rwanda’ and ‘The Secret Life of Bees’, as well as on stage in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’, earning Academy and Tony Award nominations for her work. She often speaks about how growing up as an only child in a diverse family influenced her perspective on life and her craft.

Joy Bryant

Born and raised in the Bronx by her grandmother, Kyla Bryant started her career in modeling and acting after showing early academic promise – she even attended Yale University on a scholarship. She later chose to focus on entertainment, finding success with roles in films like ‘Antwone Fisher’, ‘Get Rich or Die Tryin’’, ‘The Skeleton Key’, and ‘About Last Night’, as well as the television series ‘Parenthood’, where she played Jasmine Trussell. Bryant often points to being an only child as a key factor in developing her independence and social skills.

Dominique Fishback

Dominique Fishback is a talented actress and playwright who first became well-known for her work on the HBO series ‘The Deuce’. Growing up as an only child in East New York, Brooklyn, she believes this fostered her creativity and passion for telling stories. Fishback received a BAFTA nomination for her role in the 2021 film ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ and demonstrated her versatility as Dre in the Amazon Prime Video series ‘Swarm’. Her upbringing also instilled in her the self-motivation to write and perform her own critically acclaimed one-woman shows.

Share your favorite performance from these talented actresses in the comments.

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2026-02-17 06:15