The 25 Most Disliked Black Actors of All Time, Ranked

Black actors have consistently delivered memorable performances in film and television, often breaking new ground with their roles. However, some have faced intense public scrutiny and criticism due to personal struggles and legal troubles, which significantly impacted their public image. This list presents those stories in a clear and direct manner.

25. Gary Dourdan

I first noticed Gary Dourdan when he was on ‘CSI’ – he was fantastic as Warrick Brown for eight seasons! I knew he’d actually started out as a model, which is interesting. Sadly, I also remember hearing about some difficult times he went through starting around 2008. There were arrests related to drugs and, even more seriously, accusations of domestic violence. I recall one report specifically mentioned an incident where his girlfriend was allegedly injured, and he ended up facing legal trouble because of it.

24. Omar Epps

Omar Epps began his acting career as a teen, appearing in films like ‘Juice’ where he played a challenging role. He became widely known for his long-running portrayal of Dr. Eric Foreman on the show ‘House.’ In 2017, he was accused of assault by a co-star during filming, but the resulting lawsuit was settled privately with no admission of guilt.

23. Faizon Love

Faison Love began his career with comedy skits and minor roles in films during the 1990s. Many know him for playing the department store manager in the movie ‘Elf’, where he had scenes with Will Ferrell. More recently, he publicly and forcefully defended Bill Cosby during his legal issues, and he himself faced assault charges, including a felony case in 2025.

22. Taye Diggs

Taye Diggs started his career in musical theater with ‘Rent’ and later transitioned to television and film. He’s known for his role in ‘The Best Man,’ where he played a likable writer navigating complex relationships. He’s also spoken about wanting his biracial son to feel connected to both sides of his family history, a perspective that some found controversial because it didn’t fully acknowledge how race is often defined by society in the United States.

21. LaKeith Stanfield

LaKeith Stanfield began his career with short films and first gained recognition in ‘Short Term 12’. He became well-known for his role in ‘Get Out’, where he played a character held captive. In 2021, he was involved in an online chat room that contained anti-Semitic views. He later apologized for his participation, explaining that he had joined the conversation in an attempt to understand it.

20. Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell started his acting career with minor parts before gaining recognition for his role as Eazy-E in ‘Straight Outta Compton.’ He later played a young father in the series ‘The Chi.’ In 2019, accusations of inappropriate behavior towards female colleagues came to light, resulting in his removal from the show and subsequent work.

19. Terry Crews

Terry Crews started his career as a football player before becoming an actor, appearing in comedies like ‘White Chicks’. He also hosted ‘America’s Got Talent’ for multiple seasons. In 2020, a tweet he posted about the Black Lives Matter movement sparked controversy, with some people interpreting it as a lack of full support for racial justice.

18. Anthony Anderson

Anthony Anderson began his career with roles in shows like ‘Hang Time’ and later created and starred in ‘Black-ish’. He also hosted ‘To Tell the Truth’ and received several Emmy nominations. Starting in 2004, multiple women publicly accused him of assault, though many of these cases were dropped because of a lack of proof.

17. Will Smith

Will Smith first became famous as a rapper, then gained wider recognition starring in the TV show ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’. He went on to lead many successful movies, including ‘Independence Day’ and ‘Men in Black’. However, at the 2022 Oscars, he caused controversy by slapping Chris Rock after a joke about his wife, leading to a ten-year ban from attending Academy events.

16. Martin Lawrence

Martin Lawrence became well-known in the 1990s for his popular sitcom, ‘Martin.’ He later achieved further success starring in the ‘Bad Boys’ movies with Will Smith. However, his career has also been marked by controversy, including a sexual harassment lawsuit from a co-worker who alleged a difficult work environment, and a public incident involving a gun during a personal crisis.

15. Kevin Hart

Kevin Hart began his career doing stand-up comedy and later appeared in movies like ‘Scary Movie 3’. He’s also done voice work in animated films such as ‘The Secret Life of Pets’ and has hosted several awards shows. In 2018, some old, offensive tweets containing homophobic jokes came to light, which led him to withdraw from hosting the Oscars.

14. Tracy Morgan

Tracy Morgan first gained recognition through his comedic sketches on ‘Saturday Night Live.’ He then became well-known for his role as a quirky TV personality in the show ‘30 Rock.’ In 2011, he faced criticism for making offensive remarks during a stand-up performance. He subsequently apologized and worked with LGBTQ+ advocacy groups to address the situation.

13. Nick Cannon

Nick Cannon is known for hosting ‘Wild ‘N Out’ and his role in ‘Drumline’. He also developed the popular show ‘The Masked Singer’ for American television. However, in 2020, he faced consequences for making offensive, anti-Semitic remarks on his podcast, which led to a temporary suspension from his network.

12. Tyrese Gibson

Before becoming an actor, Tyrese Gibson worked as a model. He’s best known for his role as Roman Pearce in the ‘Fast & Furious’ movies. He’s also been involved in public disagreements with fellow actors regarding potential spin-off projects, and he’s openly shared personal struggles, including a difficult custody battle and financial challenges, through emotional videos.

11. Kanye West

Before appearing in small roles in films like ‘Anchorman 2’, Kanye West was already a successful music producer. He also ventured into fashion design and was the subject of several documentaries. In 2018, he controversially stated that slavery was a choice. Later, in 2022, he shared anti-Semitic views online, which resulted in the termination of many of his business collaborations.

10. Orlando Brown

I remember Orlando Brown when he was a kid in ‘Major Payne’ – he was so talented! Then he did the voice of Sticky Webb on ‘The Proud Family,’ which my kids loved. It’s just been really sad to watch him struggle over the years, with all the arrests for drugs and domestic problems. And honestly, some of the things he’s said about other celebrities in interviews have been really strange and worrying. It’s heartbreaking to see someone who started out so promising go through so much.

9. Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes is known for his roles as a drug lord in ‘New Jack City’ and as the lead character in the ‘Blade’ trilogy. In 2008, he was convicted of tax evasion and spent three years in prison for failing to file his tax returns.

8. Isaiah Washington

I remember Isaiah Washington showing real promise early in his career, particularly in films like ‘Clockers.’ Then, he landed the role of Dr. Preston Burke on ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ and for a while, things looked bright. Unfortunately, in 2006, everything changed. He used a deeply offensive, homophobic slur on set, and then, shockingly, repeated it publicly. It was a disastrous decision that ultimately led to his firing from the show. It’s a real shame, because he was a talented actor, but that one act completely derailed his career trajectory.

7. Terrence Howard

Terrence Howard received an Academy Award nomination for his role in ‘Hustle & Flow’ and famously played Rhodey in ‘Iron Man’. However, he has also faced serious accusations of domestic violence from several former wives, and he acknowledged some of these incidents in legal filings.

6. Jonathan Majors

Jonathan Majors first gained recognition in the film ‘The Last Black Man in San Francisco’. He later appeared as Kang in Marvel movies, including ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’. In 2023, he was arrested following an assault allegation, and subsequently found guilty of harassment and reckless assault.

5. Cuba Gooding Jr.

Cuba Gooding Jr. is an Oscar winner, known for his role in ‘Jerry Maguire’ and earlier work in ‘Boyz n the Hood’ where he played a young man growing up in Los Angeles. In 2022, he admitted to forcible touching after being accused of sexual misconduct by over thirty women.

4. Chris Brown

Chris Brown showcased his dancing skills in the movie ‘Stomp the Yard’ and was part of the cast in ‘Takers’. In 2009, he was involved in an assault on Rihanna and subsequently pleaded guilty to a felony charge.

3. Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett began his career as a child actor, appearing in ‘The Mighty Ducks.’ He later became known for his role as Jamal Lyon on the TV show ‘Empire.’ In 2019, he claimed he was the victim of a hate crime, but was later found guilty of falsely reporting the incident and lying to authorities.

2. R. Kelly

R. Kelly, the singer, starred in his own musical opera, ‘Trapped in the Closet,’ which also included elements of acting in its music videos. In 2021, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison after being accused of abuse and trafficking by more than twenty women.

1. Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby became famous as an actor in the television series ‘I Spy,’ for which he won an Emmy Award. He later created and starred in ‘The Cosby Show,’ playing a family doctor. However, his career was overshadowed by accusations from over sixty women who alleged he drugged and assaulted them. While he was convicted of these crimes in 2018, that conviction was later overturned.

2025-10-18 23:47