Actors You Probably Didn’t Know Were Black

While Hollywood often appears homogenous, it actually has a surprisingly diverse history, with many well-known actors having African roots that aren’t widely known. This includes performers with African American and Afro-Latino heritage, among others. Here are twenty actors whose family backgrounds and careers might be new to you, along with a couple of their most famous roles to help you recognize them.

Rashida Jones

Rashida Jones comes from a talented family – her father is the famous musician Quincy Jones and her mother is actress Peggy Lipton. She became well-known for her roles in popular TV shows like ‘The Office’, ‘Parks and Recreation’, and ‘Angie Tribeca’. Beyond acting, Jones also works behind the scenes as a writer and producer, contributing to films and TV shows, including documentaries.

Wentworth Miller

As a huge movie and TV fan, I’ve always admired Wentworth Miller. He’s got such an interesting background – his dad is Black, with roots in Jamaica and the Caribbean, and his mom is white. Most people probably know him from ‘Prison Break,’ which really launched him into the spotlight. He’s also been great as Captain Cold in the ‘Flash’ and ‘Legends of Tomorrow’ universes. But it’s not just acting – he’s a talented writer too, having written the screenplay for the thriller ‘Stoker.’ What I really appreciate is how openly he talks about important issues like identity and representation in the entertainment world. It’s something we need more of.

Jennifer Beals

Jennifer Beals’ background is a mix of African American and Irish American heritage. She became famous for her role in ‘Flashdance’ and has consistently worked in both movies and TV shows, including ‘Devil in a Blue Dress’ and ‘The L Word’. Beyond acting, Beals also works as a producer and director. She’s also a strong advocate for arts education and supports independent films.

Maya Rudolph

Maya Rudolph comes from a musical family – her mother was the singer Minnie Riperton and her father, Richard Rudolph, is a composer. She’s well-known for her time on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and has appeared in popular movies like ‘Bridesmaids’ and the TV series ‘Loot’. Beyond acting, Rudolph is a busy voice actor, lending her talent to animated projects like ‘Big Mouth’ and ‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’. She also incorporates music into her comedy performances and specials.

Meghan Markle

I’ve always been fascinated by Meghan Markle’s background – her mom, Doria Ragland, is African American, and her dad is white. Before becoming the Duchess of Sussex, I was a big fan of her on ‘Suits’ – she played Rachel Zane for seven seasons! It’s also really cool that she’s used her platform to produce projects highlighting women’s stories, and she’s done some great work with charities focusing on things like media smarts and helping local communities.

Jessica Szohr

Jessica Szohr’s family background includes African American and Hungarian heritage. She became well-known for her role as Vanessa Abrams on the TV show ‘Gossip Girl’ and later starred in ‘The Orville’. Beyond television, she’s acted in movies like ‘Piranha 3D’ and has been involved in independent films. Currently, she also hosts a podcast where she interviews fellow actors and people who work behind the scenes in television.

Christina Milian

Christina Milian is an actress and singer of Afro-Cuban American descent. She’s known for starring in romantic comedies like ‘Love Don’t Cost a Thing’ and ‘Falling Inn Love,’ as well as the film ‘The Oath.’ Beyond acting, Milian is also a songwriter who has penned songs for other popular artists and released her own albums. Currently, she’s working on new film and television projects for streaming services.

Rae Dawn Chong

Rae Dawn Chong is the daughter of actor and comedian Tommy Chong, and her family background includes both Black and Chinese heritage. She’s known for her roles in films like ‘Quest for Fire’, ‘Commando’, and ‘The Color Purple’. Throughout her career, Rae Dawn Chong has consistently appeared in television shows and independent films. She also directs short films and is a strong supporter of creating more opportunities for women in the film industry.

Lonette McKee

Lonette McKee’s background is a blend of Swedish and African American heritage. She first gained recognition for her role in ‘Sparkle’ and went on to appear in films like ‘Malcolm X’ and ‘Jungle Fever.’ In addition to her film work, McKee is a talented stage actress with experience on Broadway. She’s also a musician who writes and records jazz and R&B music.

Carol Channing

Carol Channing, famous for her role in ‘Hello, Dolly!’ and films like ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie,’ revealed that her father was of African American descent. Throughout her decades-long career, she earned Tony and Golden Globe awards and remained dedicated to arts education, continuing to perform even in her later years.

Jordan Fisher

As a huge fan of seeing talented performers across different mediums, I’ve been consistently impressed with Jordan Fisher. He’s got such a diverse background – his heritage is Black, Native American, and European, which I think adds to his depth as an artist. You might recognize him from rom-coms like ‘To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You,’ or maybe you caught his incredible performance in ‘Grease: Live.’ But he’s not just a screen actor! He absolutely killed it on ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ and he’s even taken on leading roles on Broadway, including ‘Dear Evan Hansen.’ And if that wasn’t enough, he’s a voice actor too, bringing characters to life in animated shows and video games. Seriously, the guy does it all!

Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie is an actress and reality TV personality with Black and Mexican roots. Though born to a different family, she was adopted by Lionel Richie. She’s appeared in TV shows like ‘Great News’ and ‘Chuck,’ and has also created fashion and lifestyle content. She continues to work in film and streaming comedies today.

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey is known for her singing, but she’s also acted in movies and on TV. Her father is of Black and Afro-Venezuelan descent, and her mother is of Irish heritage. Carey received positive reviews for her role in the film ‘Precious’ and has also appeared in ‘The Butler’ and ‘State Property 2’. Beyond acting, she creates holiday specials and other music-focused programs for television and streaming services.

Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson’s heritage is a mix of Afro-Puerto Rican and Cuban cultures. She’s known for her roles in popular movies and TV shows like ‘Sin City’, ‘Rent’, and ‘Ahsoka’. Beyond acting, Dawson is also a dedicated activist and producer. She helps run groups that encourage people to get involved in their communities and empower young people, and she supports the creation of documentaries and independent films.

Zoe Saldana

Zoe Saldana is a talented actor of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent. She’s known for starring in blockbuster franchises like ‘Avatar’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy,’ as well as dramatic films like ‘Colombiana.’ Beyond acting, Saldana runs a digital media company that focuses on Latine stories and dedicates her time to mentoring aspiring performers and promoting STEM education.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson’s background includes both Afro-Panamanian and European ancestry. She first became well-known for her roles in films like ‘Dear White People’, ‘Creed’, and ‘Thor: Ragnarok’. Beyond acting, Thompson also works as a producer, focusing on projects that share stories from diverse perspectives. She also enjoys music, often collaborating on songs for film soundtracks and independent releases.

Gina Torres

Gina Torres is an Afro-Cuban actress with a successful career in television, known for her roles in shows like ‘Firefly’, ‘Suits’, and ‘9-1-1: Lone Star’. Beyond acting, she’s also a producer who focuses on creating more opportunities for women of color in science fiction and similar genres, and she lends her voice to audiobooks and documentaries.

Laz Alonso

Laz Alonso, who is of Afro-Cuban descent, started his career in investment banking before becoming a full-time actor. He’s known for his roles in films like ‘Avatar’ and ‘Fast & Furious,’ as well as the series ‘The Boys.’ Alonso also works behind the scenes as an executive producer on some projects and dedicates time to mentoring up-and-coming Afro-Latine artists.

Meagan Good

Meagan Good is an African American actress who started her career as a young child. She’s known for her roles in popular projects like ‘Think Like a Man’, ‘Shazam!’, and the TV series ‘Harlem’. Beyond acting, she also directs short films and music videos. Meagan is passionate about supporting young people through wellness programs and arts education.

Vin Diesel

Vin Diesel acknowledges his diverse ethnic background and has embraced his family’s connection to communities of color. Best known for leading the ‘Fast & Furious’ films, he’s also starred in movies like ‘xXx’ and ‘The Chronicles of Riddick’. Beyond acting, Diesel is a producer and is involved in adapting video games for the screen. He’s also a voice actor, famously playing Groot in the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ series.

Troian Bellisario

Troian Bellisario, the daughter of television producer Donald Bellisario and writer Deborah Pratt (who is African American and Creole), is best known for playing Spencer Hastings on the hit show ‘Pretty Little Liars’ for seven seasons. Beyond acting, she’s also worked behind the camera, directing short films and an episode of ‘Pretty Little Liars,’ and even writing and starring in the independent film ‘Feed.’ She’s also made appearances on shows like ‘Suits’ and has had guest roles in various crime and drama series.

Dania Ramirez

Dania Ramirez is a Dominican-American actress who embraces her Afro-Latina identity. She’s known for her roles in several popular TV shows, including Maya in ‘Heroes’, Blanca in ‘Entourage’, and as the lead in ‘Devious Maids’. More recently, she played Cinderella in ‘Once Upon a Time’ and appeared in ‘Sweet Tooth’. Ramirez has also been in films like ‘X-Men: The Last Stand’ and ‘Premium Rush’.

Ariana DeBose

Ariana DeBose is a talented Afro-Latina actress and performer who has worked in both theater and film. She gained widespread recognition and awards for her role as Anita in the movie ‘West Side Story’ and has also hosted several TV specials and events. You might also know her from shows like ‘Schmigadoon’ and the movie ‘Kraven the Hunter,’ as well as voice work in animation. DeBose started her career on Broadway, appearing in popular shows like ‘Hamilton’ and ‘A Bronx Tale’.

Jharrel Jerome

Jharrel Jerome is an Afro-Latino actor of Dominican American heritage. He’s known for his powerful performances in projects like ‘When They See Us’ and ‘Moonlight,’ and more recently starred in the series ‘I’m a Virgo.’ Beyond acting, Jerome also pursues music, releasing songs under his own name.

Naya Rivera

Naya Rivera, who was of Puerto Rican, African American, and German heritage and proudly identified as Afro-Latina, was best known for her role as Santana Lopez on the show ‘Glee.’ She began acting as a child, appearing in shows like ‘Family Matters’ and ‘The Bernie Mac Show.’ Beyond acting, she also pursued music, releasing a single, and shared her life story in a memoir.

Madison Pettis

Madison Pettis has a diverse background, with roots in African American, French, Italian, and Irish cultures. She started her acting career as a child, appearing in films like ‘The Game Plan’ and ‘Cory in the House’. Since then, she’s starred in teen comedies on streaming services and taken on roles in horror movies. Pettis also does voice work for animated shows and films.

Dascha Polanco

Dascha Polanco is an Afro-Latina actress from the Dominican Republic. She’s best known for her role as Dayanara Diaz in the TV series ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She’s also appeared in the movie ‘In the Heights’ and several crime dramas on television, and has worked as a producer on some independent films.

Hannah John-Kamen

Let me tell you about Hannah John-Kamen – she’s a seriously talented actress with a really interesting background, being of Nigerian and Norwegian descent. You might recognize her from shows like ‘Killjoys,’ where she played Dutch, or from the blockbuster ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’ – she was fantastic as the villain, Ghost! She’s also popped up in projects like ‘Ready Player One’ and even an episode of ‘Black Mirror.’ Before hitting the screen, she honed her skills at the prestigious Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and it clearly paid off – she’s a rising star to watch, for sure.

Keiynan Lonsdale

Keiynan Lonsdale is an actor from Australia with Nigerian and Irish roots. He’s best known for playing Wally West in the TV shows ‘The Flash’ and ‘Legends of Tomorrow’, but he’s also appeared in films like ‘Love, Simon’ and ‘The Divergent Series’. In addition to acting, Lonsdale is a musician who writes and performs his own songs, and has toured as a singer.

Merle Dandridge

Merle Dandridge has a diverse background, with both African American and Asian roots. She’s well-known for her role as Grace Greenleaf in the show ‘Greenleaf’ and is the voice and face of Marlene in ‘The Last of Us’. A seasoned performer, Dandridge has also appeared on Broadway in productions like ‘Rent’ and ‘Spamalot’, and has roles in ‘Station 19’ and various other television dramas.

Amber Stevens West

Amber Stevens West comes from a family of actors – her parents are Shadoe Stevens and Beverly Cunningham. She’s known for her roles in TV shows like ‘Greek’ and ‘The Carmichael Show,’ and more recently starred in the sitcom ‘Happy Together’ and the series ‘Run the World’. She’s also appeared in films, including ‘22 Jump Street’ and several independent comedies.

Sherri Saum

Sherri Saum’s background is a mix of African American and German ancestry. She’s best known for playing Lena Adams Foster in both ‘The Fosters’ and ‘Good Trouble’. She’s also appeared in long-term roles on the shows ‘Rescue Me’ and ‘Sunset Beach’. Saum is also dedicated to supporting groups that help foster and adoptive families.

Bianca Lawson

I’ve always been impressed by Bianca Lawson! She has this incredible ability to look consistently young, and she’s been a part of so many shows and movies I’ve loved over the years. I first noticed her in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer,’ and then she was great in ‘Pretty Little Liars’ and ‘Teen Wolf.’ Right now, I’m really enjoying her work on ‘Queen Sugar.’ She’s also been in films like ‘Save the Last Dance,’ and some really interesting independent movies too. It’s amazing how consistently she delivers!

Megalyn Echikunwoke

Megalyn Echikunwoke has a diverse background, with roots in Nigeria, Ireland, Germany, and England. She’s known for playing Mari McCabe, both as a guest star on the TV show ‘Arrow’ and as the voice of the character in the animated series ‘Vixen.’ Echikunwoke has also been a regular on ‘CSI: Miami’ and ‘Almost Family,’ and she acts in both comedic and dramatic roles in movies and on streaming platforms.

Jessica Parker Kennedy

I’m a big fan of Jessica Parker Kennedy! It’s cool to see such a versatile actress – she has a really interesting background, being of African and European descent. I first noticed her as Nora West-Allen on ‘The Flash,’ but she’s also fantastic as Max in ‘Black Sails.’ Lately, I’ve been watching her in ‘The Old Man,’ and it reminded me she was even in shows like ‘Smallville’ and ‘90210’ way back when. I read she actually started with theater training, which makes sense given how comfortable she is on screen.

Amirah Vann

Amirah Vann, who is of African American and Puerto Rican heritage, proudly identifies as Afro-Latina. She first gained recognition for her role as Ernestine in the series ‘Underground’ and has since appeared in popular shows like ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ and ‘Queen Sugar’. Her work often focuses on legal and crime-related stories, and she’s also been featured in films shown at various festivals.

La La Anthony

La La Anthony is of Afro-Puerto Rican descent and is a successful actress, producer, and author. She’s known for her roles in shows like ‘Power’ and ‘BMF’, and has also produced reality TV. In addition to dramatic roles, she appears in romantic comedies and holiday movies for streaming platforms, and has written a popular book.

Grace Byers

Grace Byers, who was born in the Cayman Islands to parents with African and British roots, is a talented actress and author. She’s known for her roles as Anika Calhoun in the TV series ‘Empire’ and as the lead in ‘Harlem.’ Beyond acting, Byers has written a children’s book promoting self-acceptance, and she’s involved in both stage performances and programs to encourage reading and literacy.

Nico Parker

Nico Parker has English and Zimbabwean roots. She first appeared in the film ‘Dumbo’ and went on to star in ‘The Last of Us’. More recently, she’s been praised for her role in ‘Suncoast’ and has also worked on a British television miniseries. In addition to acting, Parker has done modeling work for various fashion brands.

Giancarlo Esposito

Giancarlo Esposito, whose father is Italian and mother is African American, is a well-known actor. He’s famous for playing Gus Fring in the TV shows ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul,’ and has also appeared in ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘The Boys.’ Beyond acting, Esposito also directs and produces independent films and works as a documentary narrator.

Let us know if you’ve found anything interesting to add – share your discoveries in the comments and help us continue the discussion!

2025-11-06 22:52