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The Greatest Black Actresses Of All Time
Ranked By
140.6K votes
10.2K voters
29 reranks
Voting Rules
Vote up the Black and African-American actresses, living or passed, with the most consistent top acting performances.
Latest additions: Anna Deavere Smith, Ruby Dandridge, Joie Lee
Most divisive: Beyoncé
Over 10.2K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Very Best Black Actresses
Who are the best black actresses of all time? The world of film and television has been blessed with countless talented black actresses who have delivered unforgettable performances. Their contributions have broken barriers and set new standards in an industry that hasn't always offered equal opportunities. These actresses have taken on challenging roles, portrayed diverse characters, and left an enduring impact on audiences around the globe.
Icons like Viola Davis, Angela Bassett, and Taraji P. Henson illustrate the profound talent within this group. Viola Davis has wowed us with her powerful performances in Fences and How to Get Away with Murder, earning her numerous accolades, including an Academy Award. Angela Bassett has portrayed strong, dynamic characters in films like What's Love Got to Do with It, where she embodied Tina Turner, and more recently, in Black Panther as Ramonda. Taraji P. Henson has captured hearts with her remarkable versatility, shining in both dramas like Empire and romantic comedies like Think Like a Man. Each of these women has showcased not just exceptional acting skills but also an ability to bring complex characters vividly to life.
Now, it's your turn to participate in celebrating these phenomenal talents. We want to know your picks for the best black actresses of all time. Use the upvote and downvote buttons to cast your votes and help create a list that honors the top female actors of all time. Your input will spotlight the actresses who have made lasting contributions to the world of entertainment.
- 121New York City, USA, New YorkRachel India True (born November 15, 1966) is an American film and television actress and former fashion model. She is best known for her roles in such films as The Craft (1996), Nowhere (1997) and Half Baked (1998). True is also known for her role as Mona Thorne on the UPN sitcom Half & Half, which ran from 2002 to 2006.
- 122San Francisco, California, USAWith a multifaceted background and impressive range vivacious African-American actress Golden Brooks spent years developing her craft on stage, television and in films of all genres. Coming off of an impressive academic career, focusing on theater and literature, the performer began appearing on television in such projects as the cable comedy "Linc's" (Showtime, 1998-2000) and filmmaker Mike Figgis' experimental drama "Timecode" (2000). Brooks found her launching pad for success playing Maya Wilkes, a strong-willed professional, mother and friend on the long running sitcom "Girlfriends" (UPN/The CW, 2000-08). During this time she also managed supporting roles in such diverse feature films as the sci-fi thriller "Imposter" (2002), the comedy spin-off "Beauty Shop" (2005) and the romance "Something New" (2006). After "Girlfriends" had come to an end, the actress moved on to starring roles in indie productions like the thriller "Inheritance" (2011) and returned to her former network home to join the cast for season two of "Hart of Dixie" (The CW, 2011-15). Whether as an ensemble player or in a starring role, Golden remained a popular and welcome presence on screens large and small.
- 123New York, New York, USARobin Givens, an accomplished American actress and model, left her imprint on the entertainment industry with her compelling performances and undeniable charisma. Born on November 27, 1964, in New York City, Givens showed an early affinity for the performing arts that would eventually propel her to fame. She attended Sarah Lawrence College where she studied pre-med, but her passion for acting led her to drop out and pursue a career in Hollywood. Givens's breakthrough came in the 1980s when she was cast as Darlene Merriman in the hit television series Head of the Class. Her performance received immediate acclaim, establishing her as a rising star in the industry. Her success on television paved the way for her transition to the silver screen, where she starred in numerous films including Boomerang and A Rage in Harlem. Throughout her career, Givens has worked alongside some of the industry's biggest names, showcasing her talent and versatility in a variety of roles. Despite her professional triumphs, Givens faced personal trials that shaped her public image. Most notably, her tumultuous marriage to boxing legend Mike Tyson became a widely covered media event. Yet, Givens proved resilient, using her experiences to advocate for victims of domestic abuse and emerge as a symbol of strength in the face of adversity. Her contribution to both the acting world and social causes demonstrates her multifaceted nature, making her a memorable figure in entertainment history.
- 124Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
Nominated for Best Supporting Actress for Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1968)
- 125Washington, D.C.
Won for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for The Handmaid's Tale (2018)
- 126Los Angeles, California, USAAnne-Marie Johnson began her career as an actress on the short-lived sitcom "Double Trouble" in 1984. She quickly moved on to star in the similarly short-lived sequel to the sitcom "What's Happening!": "What's Happening Now!." Some memorable but minor film work followed in Keenen Ivory Wayans's blaxploitation parody "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" and Robert Townsend's showbiz comedy "Hollywood Shuffle," among other features. But the biggest success of her earlier career came afterwards, when she portrayed Althea Tibbs, the wife of Detective Virgil Tibbs, on the hit police drama "In the Heat of the Night" from 1988 to 1993. After "In the Heat of the Night" Johnson moved on to do one season of Wayans's sketch-comedy series "In Living Color" and the classic late-'90s evening soap "Melrose Place." Into the 2000s she landed one-off roles in notable series such as the screwball legal drama "Ally McBeal" and the conspiracy theory-ridden "The X-Files." Perhaps the most notable moment in Johnson's later career came when she was elected the First Vice President of the Screen Actors Guild in 2005.
- 127Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Nominated for Best Acting Debut in a Motion Picture - Female Golden Globe for Pipe Dreams (1977)
- 128Detroit, Michigan, USA
Nominated for Best Actress Emmy for When They See Us (2018)
- 129Los Angeles, California, USAAmber Stevens West's acting career rose quickly from appearances in television commercials to co-starring roles in "22 Jump Street" (2014) and "The Carmichael Show" (NBC, 2015- ), which showcased her talent for comedy. Born Amber Dawn Stevens in Los Angeles, California on October 7, 1986, she was the eldest of two daughters by radio and television personality Shadoe Stevens and model Beverly Cunningham. Her father's career sparked an interest in performing, which she would initially explore in television commercials after a brief stint as a catalog and magazine model in her pre-teen years. Stevens West decided to make acting her career, and after training with various teachers and the Groundlings improv comedy troupe, she made her screen debut with a bit part in "Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift" (2006). The following year, Stevens West earned her breakout role as Ashleigh, best friend to series lead Spencer Grammer's Casey on ABC Family's "Greek" (2007-2011). She balanced her work on the comedy-drama with guest appearances on other episodic series and bit parts in features like "Fired Up!" (2009) and "The Amazing Spider-Man" (2012) before finding a showcase for her comic skills in "22 Jump Street" as undercover cop Jonah Hill's love interest. The following year, she returned to series regular work on "The Carmichael Show," playing series lead Jerrod Carmichael's therapist girlfriend, whose biracial status was often the target of sharp commentary by his screen family.
- 130Berlin, Germany
Nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie Emmy Award for Wit (2001) and A Raisin in the Sun (2008)
- 131USA, Chicago, IllinoisBarbara Jean McNair (March 4, 1934 – February 4, 2007) was an American singer and theater, television and film actress. McNair's career spanned over five decades appearing in television, film and stage. McNair's professional career began in music during the late 1950s, singing in the nightclub circuit. In 1958, McNair released her debut single "Till There Was You" from Coral Records which was a commercial success. McNair performed all across the world, touring with Nat King Cole and later appearing in his Broadway stage shows I'm with You and The Merry World of Nat King Cole in the early 1960s. By the 1970s, McNair gradually changed over to acting in films and television; she played Sidney Poitier's wife in They Call Me Mister Tibbs! (1970) and its sequel, The Organization (1971). In her later years, McNair returned to performing in nightclubs and on cruise ships. McNair died from throat cancer on February 4, 2007 at age 72.
- 132Maurice, Louisiana, USADenise Boutte is an actress who appeared in "Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns," "Terror Lake Drive," and "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?."
- 133Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Won for Outstanding Individual Achievement - Special Class Emmy Award for Ain't Misbehavin' (1982)
- 134Chicago, Illinois, USAAs the no-nonsense, career-oriented wife and mother on "The Bernie Mac Show" (Fox, 2001-06), actress Kellita Smith has more than held her own with the unconventional sitcom's star. Previously a supporting player in movies and recurring guest star on television, Smith landed her role on Bernie Mac's show at the last minute, prompting the comedian to say that she 'stole' the role. Born in Chicago and raised in Oakland, CA, Smith became an actress later in life after realizing the regular nine-to-five grind was not for her. She began her acting career on stage, getting her first break in "Tell It Like It Tiz," which toured the country for two years. She also starred in productions of "No Place to be Somebody" for the KC Theatre Company and "Feelings" for the Hudson Theatre, for which she won a NAACP Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1996. That same year, the NAACP nominated her for Best Actress for her role in "The Thirteenth Thorn."
- 135London, England, UK
Nominated for Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Hotel Rwanda (2005)
- 136New York, New York, USASkai Jackson is an American actress who is known for her role in "Jessie" as Zuri Ross. Jackson was nominated for a NAACP Image Awards in 2016 for the same project.
- 137Nashville, Tennessee, USAA beautiful, effervescent teen star, Lark Voorhies went from being one of the original stars of the minor hit "Good Morning, Miss Bliss" (The Disney Channel, 1988-89) to one of the six iconic high school leads of the international smash "Saved by the Bell" (NBC, 1989-1993). As the lovably shallow fashionista Lisa Turtle, Voorhies won two Young Artist Awards and achieved teen idol immortality as a beloved member of the Bayside High crew, a role she would repeat in all the made-for-TV movies, spin-offs and reboots. After the original "Bell" rang for the last time, she lensed long-running roles on the soaps "Days of Our Lives" (NBC, 1965- ) and "The Bold and the Beautiful" (CBS, 1987- ). Romantically linked to Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Martin Lawrence, Voorhies also notched film roles in "How to Be a Player" (1997) and "How High" (2001) but worked most steadily on TV in multiple guest roles, including appearances on "In the House" (NBC, 1995-96; UPN, 1996-99) and "The Parkers" (UPN, 1999-2004). In 2012, she inadvertently made headlines when she gave several interviews appearing physically altered and mentally distracted; her mother would tell People that Voorhies had suffered a breakdown after an unspecified trauma and had also been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which the actress denied. Although her later-in-life troubles were definite cause for concern, Lark Voorhies retained enormous goodwill with fans who had grown up idolizing her and who wished her the best in health and happiness.
- 138Los Angeles, California, USATall, shapely, comely--and determined, Lela Rochon jumped to the head of casting lists after the success of "Waiting to Exhale," in which she was Robin, the woman who wants a man, but ends up as the type they only want to score with.
- 139Chester, Pennsylvania, USA
Nominated for Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Pinky (1950)
- 140Russellville, Alabama, USAAfter playing minor parts as teenagers on various television series and independent films, actress Sonequa Martin-Green successfully moved into more mature roles, often with an intense or fiery streak, on "The Good Wife" (CBS, 2009-16), "The Walking Dead" (AMC, 2010- ) and "Once Upon a Time" (ABC, 2011- ). Born Sonequa Martin on March 21, 1985 in Russellville, Alabama, she initially wanted to pursue a career as a psychologist, but fell in love with acting after appearing in a play in the tenth grade. She made her screen debut in a comedy short, "Not Quite Right (2005) while attending the University of Alabama, and after graduating in 2007, Martin-Green moved to the East Coast, where she appeared in theater productions. There, she met her husband, Kenric Green, while both were performing in a play; the couple remained in New York for the next five years, during which Martin-Green enjoyed guest roles as teenagers on "Law and Order: Criminal Intent" (NBC, 2001-2011) and in independent features. After relocating to Los Angeles, Martin-Green landed recurring roles on two major television series: she played Army trainee Kanessa Jones on "Army Wives" (Lifetime, 2007-2013) before moving to "The Good Wife" as Courtney Wells, who briefly served as assistant to Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies). In 2012, Martin-Green's profile enjoyed a significant boost when she joined the cast of "The Walking Dead." Her character, Sasha Williams, was one of the toughest in the show's sprawling cast: a former firefighter, she became a top sharpshooter among the survivors, but also displayed a fragile side when tremendous losses - the deaths of her brother, Tyreese (Chad Coleman), and significant other, Bob (Lawrence Gilliard, Jr.) - leave her with post-traumatic stress disorder. Following her character's debut in the third season of "Walking Dead," Martin-Green was cast as Tamara, a woman determined to rid the world of magic, in the second season of "Once Upon a Time." She reprised the role briefly in the third season of the fantasy-drama before returning for the fourth season of "Walking Dead," after which she was promoted from a recurring role to series regular.
- 141Toronto, Ontario, CanadaActress Tamara Taylor was a familiar face to television viewers throughout the 1990s and 2000s thanks to frequent guest appearances on numerous episodic shows, as well as her turn as Dr. Camille Saroyan on the long-running and popular "Bones" (Fox, 2005-2015). Born September 21, 1970 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Tamara Taylor began her show business career as a model shortly after dropping out of high school. She relocated to Los Angeles after visiting her friend, actress Cree Summer, on the set of the sitcom "A Different World" (NBC, 1987-1993), and soon after made her television debut on the short-lived "Freshman Dorm" (CBS, 1992). Four years later, she returned to television in a recurring role on "Party of Five" (Fox, 1994-2000), as a social worker who becomes a love interest for Charlie Salinger, played by her fellow "Freshman Dorm" alum, Matthew Fox. From there, Taylor worked steadily on television, including turns as a series regular on the medical drama series "City of Angels" (CBS, 2000) and the sitcom "Hidden Hills" (NBC, 2002-03), and guest shots on "Six Feet Under" (HBO, 2001-05) and recurring turns on "Lost" (ABC, 2004-2010) - which marked her third appearance opposite Matthew Fox - and "NCIS" (CBS, 2003- ). Taylor began her long-running stint as pathologist Dr. Camille Saroyan on the second season premiere of "Bones" in 2006. Initially, series creator Hart Hanson intended her character to die at the hands of serial killer Howard Epps in the twelfth episode of the season. But audience response to her character - a no-nonsense administrator who often clashed with the team of offbeat personalities at the Jeffersonian Institute's Forensic Division - was strong enough to mint Taylor as a series regular. Over the course of subsequent seasons, Saroyan's character loosened up to a degree, enjoying a romantic entanglement with lab assistant Arastoo Vaziri (Pej Vahdat).
- 142Houston, Texas, USA
Nominated for Best TV Actress - Drama Golden Globe for Get Christie Love! (1975)
- 143USA, Chicago, IllinoisLisaRaye McCoy (born September 23, 1967), known as LisaRaye, is an American actress, model, businesswoman and fashion designer. McCoy is best known for portraying Diana "Diamond" Armstrong in the 1998 film The Players Club, Neesee James on the UPN/The CW sitcom All of Us from 2003 until 2007 and Keisha Greene in the VH1 romantic comedy series Single Ladies which originally aired from 2011–2014. She is also the ex-wife of Michael Misick, the first-ever Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, during that time she served as First Lady of Turks and Caicos.
- 144Hollywood, California, USAAssured young TV actor who gained exposure playing Hilary Banks, the spoiled, self-centered cousin of Will Smith on the hit sitcom, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" (NBC, 1990-96). Parsons had previously worked as a model and appeared in nearly two dozen TV commercials before making her TV debut in "Roughhouse" (CBS, 1988), a busted pilot directed by Martha Coolidge. She began to branch out into a feature career playing the female lead in "Class Act" (1992), a teen comedy starring pop rappers Kid 'N' Play. Parsons was selected to perform similar chores opposite Damon Wayans in "Major Payne" (1995). She returned to series TV in 1996 co-starring with Lori Petty in the short-lived Fox sitcom "Lush Life," in which the two played roommates.
- 145Tampa, Florida, USAButterfly McQueen is best remembered as Prissy, the maid with the high squeaky voice who didn't "know nothin' 'bout birthin' babies" in the classic "Gone With the Wind" (1939). Born Thelma McQueen in Tampa, FL, she began her acting career when producer-director George Abbott hired her for the Broadway show "Brown Sugar" in 1937. McQueen became a permanent member of the Abbott Acting Company. During her stint with the company, she gained her famous nickname after dancing a butterfly ballet in a production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." She earned her greatest stage recognition in "What a Life" and during its run was offered the role of Prissy. While the part relied heavily on stereotypes of supposedly dimwitted slaves, McQueen brought a comic pathos to her portrayal. Like many black actors in 1940s Hollywood, McQueen found few challenging roles and was usually relegated to playing domestics. Among her better known films are Vincente Minnelli's "Cabin in the Sky" (1943), Michael Curtiz' "Mildred Pierce" (1945) and King Vidor's "Duel in the Sun" (1947). McQueen effectively retired from acting in the early 1950s. She worked at various jobs including acting as a ladies' companion, selling toys at Macy's and hosting her own radio show in Augusta, GA. In the mid-'60s, McQueen began working as a waitress in Harlem, NY and later as a receptionist at Mount Morris Park Recreation Center where she also taught children tap dancing and ballet. At the age of 64, she earned her bachelor's degree from City College of New York. She made occasional appearances in films and TV specials in the 70s and 80s. Her last feature appearance was in a small role in Peter Weir's underrated "The Mosquito Coast" (1985). On TV, McQueen appeared regularly during the first season of "Beulah" (CBS, 1950-51) opposite Ethel Waters. She also played small or featured roles in "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (PBS, 1986) and in two ABC specials for children, "The Seven Wishes of Joanna Peabody" (1978) and "The Seven Wishes of a Rich Kid" (1979) which earned her a Daytime Emmy. Her final TV appearance was in the TV remake of "Pollyanna" entitled "Polly" (NBC, 1989). McQueen died in December 1995 from complications caused by burns sustained in a kerosene fire in her Georgia home.
- 146Orange, New Jersey, USA
Won Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Drama for Mannix (1970)
- 147Georgia, USA, AtlantaRaven-Symoné Pearman, known professionally as Raven-Symoné, has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry with her rich history of compelling performances. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1985, she was introduced to the limelight at a tender age, showcasing her talents on The Cosby Show as Olivia Kendall. This role bolstered her early career and paved the way for numerous opportunities. Undoubtedly versatile, Raven-Symoné demonstrated her acting prowess by venturing into film, television, music, and even Broadway. Perhaps most remembered for her titular role in the Disney Channel's hit series That's So Raven, she won critical acclaim for her authentic portrayal of teen clairvoyant, Raven Baxter. The show's popularity earned her two NAACP Image Awards and set a precedent as she became the youngest person ever to sign a deal with Disney Channel. Concurrently, she also established herself as a formidable voice artist, lending her unique tone to characters in animated films such as Disney's Kim Possible and Pixar's The Incredibles. Outside her acting career, Raven-Symoné made waves in the music industry. She released her debut album at the age of seven, securing her position as one of the youngest artists signed by MCA Records. Her discography boasts four studio albums, demonstrating her ability to traverse various genres from pop to R&B. Taking her talents to Broadway, she performed in the renowned musical Sister Act, further solidifying her place in the performing arts.
- 148Mount Vernon, New York, USARobinne Lee was a prolific actress who created a name for herself largely on the big screen. She had an early role on the television special "Black Filmmaker Showcase" (2003-07). She additionally landed roles in the TV movies "Cupid & Cate" (CBS, 1999-2000) and "Runaway" (CBS, 2000-01). She worked in television in her early acting career as well, including a part on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1996-2003). She next focused her entertainment career on film, appearing in the Martin Lawrence action film "National Security" (2003), the fantastical comedy "13 Going On 30" (2004) with Jennifer Garner and the Will Smith box office smash romantic comedy "Hitch" (2005). She also played parts in television during these years, including roles in "The Big House" (ABC, 2003-04) and "Numb3rs" (CBS, 2004-2010). Recently, she tackled roles in "Seven Pounds" (2008), "This is Not a Test" (2008) and the Emma Roberts comedy adaptation "Hotel for Dogs" (2009). She also worked in television during these years, including roles in "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" (TBS, 2006-2012) and "Being Mary Jane" (BET, 2013-). Most recently, Robinne Lee acted in "Miss Dial" (2013).
- 149Brooklyn, New York, USAAn actress as notable for her signature shaven head as she is for her considerable acting ability, Aisha Hinds made a staple of tough characters who sit close to the line between either side of the law. Born in Brooklyn, Hinds was inspired to become an actress by a combination of Ben Kingsley's performance in "Gandhi" (1982), which her father took the family to when she was young; witnessing actors of her own age and background performing in "Serafina!" on Broadway; and youthful tap dancing lessons in junior high school. As a struggling young actress, Hinds caught her big break when the casting director of "The Shield" (FX Network, 2002-08) attended a birthday party at the hotel where Hinds worked and invited her to audition for the recurring role of street-smart Detective Annie Price. While a certain amount of typecasting played a part in Hinds' roles, her signature combination of femininity, strength and maturity in her acting helped her defy stereotypes. Although she played tough in her co-starring role on police procedural "Detroit 1-8-7" (ABC 2010-11), other parts in which she made an impression included a Nigerian nun on "Lost" (ABC 2004-10), a transgender teacher on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (NBC 1999- ) and homeless woman Isabel Walsh on "Hawthorne" (TNT 2009-11). Hinds made her film debut in a supporting role in the 2005 action remake "Assault on Precinct 13 " and returned to her familiar turf as a police detective in Paul Haggis' thriller "The Next Three Days" (2010). In 2013, she returned to series television in a supporting role on the mind-bending mystery "Cult" (CW, 2013) as well as the series "Under the Dome" (CBS, 2013-15), based on the novel by Stephen King.
- 150Fort Worth, Texas, USAActress-musician Tamela J Mann made a splash in Hollywood both on and off-screen. Known for making audiences laugh, J Mann began her acting career in comedies like "Kingdom Come" (2001). She worked in television in her early acting career as well, including a part on "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" (TBS, 2006-2012). Her passion for acting continued to her roles in projects like the Tyler Perry comedy adaptation "Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns" (2008), the Tyler Perry comedic adaptation "Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail" (2009) and the dramatic adaptation "Madea's Big Happy Family" (2011) with Tyler Perry. She also appeared in "Sparkle" (2012) with Jordin Sparks. She also worked in television around this time, including a part on "Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns" (TBS, 2008-2012). Most recently, J Mann worked on "Celebration of Gospel" (BET, 2013-14).
- 151Houston, Texas, USALeToya Luckett was an American actress and singer who was best known as one of the original members of the multi-platinum selling R&B group Destiny's Child. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Luckett began singing in her church choir when she was barely out of diapers, and before long began singing solo during the Sunday service. Her passion for singing only intensified once she entered elementary school. Luckett became actively involved in the school choir and also sang in various plays put on by the school. It was also during this early period in elementary school that Luckett struck up a friendship with another young gifted singer named Beyoncé Knowles. Impressed by Luckett's raw vocal talent, Knowles asked Luckett to join her all-girl R&B group called Girls Tyme. Luckett agreed, and with the addition of LaTavia Roberson, and Kelly Rowland, the group was formed. Girls Tyme would later be renamed Destiny's Child, and in 1998 they released their self-titled debut album. The album spawned the hit single "No, No, No," thus catapulting Destiny's Child to mainstream success. With their follow up album, however, The Writing's on the Wall, Destiny's child skyrocketed to unimaginable success, after the album sold an astounding 8-million copies, thus making The Writing's on the Wall one of the best-selling albums by an all-female group ever. In the midst of all the success The Writing's on the Wall was generating, however, Luckett and Matthew Knowles, who was Beyoncé's father and the manager of Destiny's Child, had a falling out. As a result, Luckett and LaTavia Roberson were fired from the group in early 2000. Undeterred, Luckett embarked on a solo career in the early 2000s and in 2006 released her platinum-selling debut album LeToya. She would go on to release two more solo albums in the years that followed, although neither equaled the success of her debut. In addition to her singing, by the early 2010s Luckett began to act in films and TV shows. She appeared in the films "Preacher's Kid" (2010) and "Killers" (2010), and additionally nabbed a recurring role on the HBO New Orleans-themed music drama "Treme" (HBO, 2010-13). Luckett continued nabbing acting roles throughout the 2010s, including "Heavenly Match" (2014), a recurring role on the comedy series "Single Ladies" (VH1, 2011-15), as well as a recurring part on the OWN dramatic series "Greenleaf" (OWN, 2016- ). In early 2018 Luckett appeared on the scripted true crime series "Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and Biggie" (USA Network, 2018). The series, about the 20-year old murders of hip-hop icons Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, premiered on the USA Network in February of 2018.
- 152London, England, UK
Nominated for Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Secrets & Lies (1997)
- 153Dallas, Texas, USAActress Paige Hurd was a familiar face to both teen and primetime audiences throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, thanks to regular appearances in films like "The Cat in the Hat" (2003) and on television series like "Everybody Hates Chris" (UPN/The CW, 2005-09) and "Hawaii Five-O" (CBS, 2010- ). Born Paige Audrey Marie Hurd on July 20, 1992 in Dallas, Texas, she studied at the Dallas Young Actors Studio before making her screen debut at the age of eight in a 2000 episode of "Felicity" (The WB, 1998-2002). More television work preceded her first feature film appearance as rapper DMX's daughter in "Cradle 2 the Grave" (2003), a martial arts thriller starring Jet Li. Hurd soon divided her time between supporting roles in studio features like "The Cat in the Hat" (2003) and "Beauty Shop" (2005) and appearances in independent efforts like "Virginia" (2005), a modern-day adaptation of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (2005) with Hurd as a female Huck, with guest shots on series like "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody" (Disney Channel, 2005-08) and "ER" (NBC, 1994-2009). During this period she also enjoyed a three-year stint on "Everybody Hates Chris" in the recurring role of Tasha, the reluctant love interest to Tyler James Williams' hapless Chris. Appearances in several music videos, including Justin Bieber's "Never Let You Go" (2010), and short films dominated much of her screen time after "Chris" ran its course. In 2013, Hurd began an extended run on "Hawaii Five-0" as the daughter of Chi McBride's gruff SWAT captain Lou Grover. Their storyline dominated the final episode of the series' fourth season, in which Hurd's kidnapping by a computer hacker (Nick Jonas) forced her father to take extreme measures in order to rescue her.
- 154Houston, Texas, USA
Nominated for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical Golden Globe for Dreamgirls (2006)
- 155Takoma Park, Maryland, USAMaia Chinassa Campbell (born November 26, 1976) is an American film, television actress and model. She is best known for her role as Nicole on the 1994 FOX comedy-drama series South Central and her portrayal of Tiffany Warren in the NBC/UPN sitcom In the House for five seasons (1995–1998). Campbell was diagnosed with bipolar disorder shorty after being on In The House. Since then, she has been seen on the internet battling drugs and her disorder. In 2012, Campbell appeared on Iyanla: Fix My Life.
- 156Las Vegas, Nevada, USAHaving proved herself on Broadway and on the film festival circuit, classically trained actress Rutina Wesley was well prepared when HBO's vampire drama "True Blood" (2008-14) brought her to national attention. She first won kudos for "The Vertical Hour" (2006), an Iraq War-themed play directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes. With her feature film debut, "How She Move" (2007), she revealed a different side of herself, wowing audiences with dance skills inherited from her professional dancer parents. The following year, "True Blood" creator Alan Ball cast her as tough-talking bartender Tara Thornton because he was impressed with her ability to portray both Tara's angry and vulnerable sides as she grappled with the horrible luck life had dealt her. From Shakespeare to musicals to supernatural thrillers, Rutina Wesley could seemingly do it all. Wesley was born in Las Vegas, NV, the daughter of Ivery Wheeler, a professional dancer who appeared in such films as "The Cotton Club" (1984), and Cassandra Wesley, a showgirl who performed on the Las Vegas Strip. Following in their footsteps, Wesley studied dance at Simba Studios and the West Las Vegas Arts Center. But she felt the itch to see other parts of the country, so upon receiving her high school diploma in 1997 from the Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing and Visual Arts, she left for Indiana's University of Evansville to earn her BFA in Theatre Performance. From there it was on to the New York's prestigious Juilliard School, where she graduated from in May 2005. During her time at Julliard, she also spent a summer at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art studying Shakespeare and performing the lead in "Romeo and Juliet." It was at Julliard that she met her husband, actor Jacob Fishel, later commenting, "We thought, 'if we could spend four years together at this crazy school, then we can make it the rest of our lives.'" Wesley also became close to another Julliard classmate, Nelsan Ellis, who would go on to play her cousin on "True Blood." On the stage, she appeared in the pre-Broadway workshop of the Tony-nominated musical "The Color Purple." In 2006 she made her Broadway debut in "The Vertical Hour" by playwright David Hare, acting alongside Bill Nighy and Academy Award Nominee Julianne Moore. Directed by Sam Mendes, the play focused on characters with conflicting views of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Wesley's performance earned praises from The New York Times' chief theatre critic, Ben Brantley. The following year, Wesley performed in The Public Theater's production of "In Darfur" by playwright Winter Miller, co-starring Heather Raffo and Aaron Lohr. Meanwhile, she began making inroads on the silver screen with a minor role in the 2005 film "Hitch," but ended up on the cutting room floor. However, in 2007 she won the lead in director Ian Iqbal Rashid's dance drama "How She Move," playing an inner-city teen who enters a step-dancing competition to raise money for her tuition. To prepare, Wesley rehearsed the dance routines for five weeks and studied with a dialect coach to master a Jamaican accent. The Hollywood Reporter praised, "Young Wesley displays an intense charisma and powerful moves in the central role." After premiering at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, the feature was picked up by Paramount and MTV. On television, she guest starred on the CBS drama "Numb3rs" (2005-2010) in 2005, but her big break arrived when "Six Feet Under" (HBO, 2001-05) creator Alan Ball selected her for "True Blood." Adapted from "The Southern Vampire Mysteries" novels by Charlaine Harris, the series takes place in a Southern town in which vampires and humans live side by side after the invention of synthetic blood frees the undead from having to prey on mortals. Raised by an abusive mother, Wesley's hard-edged bartender Tara Thornton had lost one boyfriend to a mythological maenad before becoming the obsession of a psychotic vampire detective. The actress was given plenty of opportunity to showcase her well-honed dramatic chops, and she performed her own stunts along with the steamy nude scenes de rigueur for HBO. For her efforts, Wesley was nominated for a Scream Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2009, and in 2010 she and the rest of the cast were nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series. Between seasons, Wesley appeared in indie drama "California Winter" (2012), horror film "13 Sins" (2014) and comedy drama "Last Weekend" (2014). After "True Blood" wrapped in 2014, Wesley co-starred in romantic thriller "The Perfect Guy" (2015) and began a recurring role in cult hit "Hannibal" (NBC 2013-15). Wesley's next starring role came on the Ava DuVernay-produced soap "Queen Sugar" (OWN 2016- ).
- 157South Ozone Park, New York, USAAlthough most people will recognize comedian/actress Debra Wilson from her many years on the sketch comedy program "MADtv" (where she was an original cast member), she has had quite a varied career in show business. After attending Syracuse University's communications school in radio and television broadcasting, she began as a standup comic in New York City in the late 1980s and was a performer with the off-Broadway improvisational troupe Noo Yawk Tawk. She got her first television break doing her act on "The Uptown Comedy Club" and "The Apollo Comedy Hour" in 1992. She went on to co-host a shopping show with the legendary Joan Rivers in 1995 and joined the cast of "MADtv" that same year. Some of her more notable creations from the show include the BAP Bunifa Latifah Halifah Sharifa Jackson, blaxploitation star Cocoa Latite, and spot-on celebrity impersonations of Oprah Winfrey and Whitney Houston. Wilson has done voice work for the animated series "Family Guy," "The Oblongs," "The Mr. Potato Head Show," and "American Dad!," as well as video game characterizations. Her movie roles have yet to match her success on the small screen, but she has appeared in a variety of independent films along with the box office hit spoof "Scary Movie 4" (as Oprah) and the 2010 adventure blockbuster "Avatar."
- 158Baltimore, Maryland, USAPenny Johnson Jerald was an award-nominated American actress who possessed the versatility to immerse herself in comedic, science fiction and dramatic roles. Some of her best known roles were on television, which included Beverly Barnes on "The Larry Sanders Show" (HBO 1992-98), Kasidy Yates on the syndicated sci-fi series "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" (1993-99), and Sherry Palmer on "24" (Fox 2001-2010). She was born Penny Johnson on March 14, 1961 in Baltimore, MD. Passionate about acting, she attended the prestigious Juilliard School of Drama, where she showed off her ambition and knack for fiery roles. Looking to blaze her way through the television and film industry, she flew off to London mere minutes after graduating from Juilliard to make her mark as an actress. She immediately found her footing as Jerald's first credited role was on the anthology television series, "American Playhouse" (PBS 1982-1993), where she played the eponymous character on the episode titled "The Files of Jill Hatch: Part I." Jerald immediately followed it up with two small roles in feature-length films, as Genevieve in "Swing Shift" alongside Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, and Wes Craven's "The HIlls Have Eyes Part II" where she died a gruesome death in the hands of the movie's murderous cannibal.
- 159New York City, USA, New YorkBernnadette Stanis (born Bernadette Stanislaus, December 22, 1953) is an American actress and author. Stanis is best known for her role as Thelma Ann Evans–Anderson, the only daughter of Florida and James Evans Sr. on the CBS sitcom Good Times which originally ran from 1974 to 1979. Stanis is the author of four books: Situations 101: Relationships, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly; For Men Only; Situations 101: Finances; and The Last Night.
- 160Brooklyn, New York, USABest known for her portrayal of Jaleesa Vinson on "The Cosby Show" spin-off, "A Different World," singer/actress Dawnn Lewis made her television debut on the sitcom in 1987. The series followed "Cosby" kid Denise Huxtable (played by Lisa Bonet) to college, where a new world of colorful characters mixed it up. Though Bonet left the show after the first year, the collegiate sitcom thrived and ran for six seasons. Lewis, who co-wrote the award-winning theme song for the series with Bill Cosby and Stu Gardner, left "A Different World" during its fifth season to join the cast of a new urban comedy series, "Hangin' With Mr. Cooper." On this Mark Curry sitcom, Lewis played Robin Dumars for the show's first season and lent her voice to its chipper theme song. Shortly thereafter, she moved into the world of voice work, voicing a number of cartoon characters including the stern Lt. Terri Lee of the 1990s "Spider-Man" animated series, the buxom and brassy LaBarbara Conrad of the sci-fi sitcom "Futurama," and the force-of-nature superhero Storm in a number of X-Men video games, including "Marvel: Ultimate Alliance." She continues to balance these cartoon character roles with full-bodied performances in film and television like the memorable troll Blabberwort in the Emmy-winning fantasy miniseries "The 10th Kingdom."
- 161Dallas, Texas, USAJill Marie Jones is an American TV actor who was best known for her roles on "Girlfriends" (UPN/The CW, 2000-08), "Sleepy Hollow" (Fox, 2013- ), and "Ash vs. Evil Dead" (Starz, 2015- ). Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Jones took a rather unlikely path to Hollywood stardom. Despite harboring a long desire to make it as a professional actress, Jones spent the early part of her twenties as a cheerleader for two of her hometown's most popular professional sports franchises: the Cowboys and the Mavericks. Although the experience provided her with the confidence she needed to perform in front of an audience, Jones's true desire was to act. With that in mind, and after dabbling for a brief period as a professional model, she moved to Los Angeles. Jones landed her big break almost immediately when she joined the cast of the UPN sitcom "Girlfriends." Jones played the materialistic Toni Garrett-Childs for six seasons on the show, earning legions of fans and admirers in the process. After her contract ended in 2006, however, Jones decided to leave the show to pursue a career in movies. She quickly landed parts in films like "The Perfect Holiday" (2007), "The Longshots" (2008), and "Drool" (2009), but soon came to the realization that there were far more opportunities waiting for her on TV. She landed a recurring part on the TBS micro-series "Gillian in Georgia" (2010), and followed that up with a recurring role on Fox's supernatural thriller "Sleepy Hollow." Then in 2015 Jones joined the cast of "Ash vs. Evil Dead," a TV adaptation of the cult '80s horror films directed by Sam Raimi. Jones appeared as Amanda Fisher on the show, which appropriately debuted on the Starz network on Halloween 2015. In 2021, Jones was cast in the Oprah Winfrey Network legal drama series "Delilah." In 2023, Jill Marie Jones had a recurring role in the Showtime drama series, "The Chi."
- 162Queens, New York, USAQueens-born actress Shari Headley landed a breakout role in the 1980s romantic comedy "Coming to America" and has since become a well-known TV star. But she didn't always want to be an actress: Headley originally dreamed of becoming a doctor and was enrolled in a pre-med program when, on a whim, she entered and won a contest sponsored by the Ford Modeling Agency. She broke into acting with a small role on the popular sitcom "The Cosby Show" and made her film debut a few years later in the hit film "Coming to America" as Eddie Murphy's reluctant love interest Lisa McDowell. She worked primarily in television for the next decade, appearing in everything from the Western action series "Walker, Texas Ranger" to music videos for rap artists like Will Smith and Blackstreet. From 1997 to 1998 she starred as social worker Juanita Barnes on the critically-acclaimed but short-lived ensemble drama "413 Hope St.," centered on the staffers and patients of a New York City crisis center. Since 2001 Headley, who was briefly married to Christopher "Play" Martin, of rap group Kid'n'Play fame, has appeared on several daytime soap operas; she portrayed police officer Mimi Frye on "All My Children," and landed a recurring role as psychiatrist Felicia Boudreau on "Guiding Light."
- 163Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaActress and comic Quinta Brunson.
- 164New York, New York, USAChip Hurd is an actress, director, and producer who appeared in "Days of Our Lives," "Good Times," and "Living Single."
- 165Bronx, New York, USAStacey Dash, an American actress and former talk show host, has made significant strides in the entertainment industry. Born on January 20, 1967, in The Bronx, New York, Dash's journey into the world of acting began with her debut in the television series Farrell for the People in 1982. She later gained widespread recognition for her role as Dionne Davenport in the 1995 hit film Clueless, a performance that firmly established her place in Hollywood. Dash's acting career is marked by a variety of roles across both television and film. After her breakout role in Clueless, she reprised her character for the subsequent television series, which ran from 1996 to 1999. Her other notable appearances include roles in TV shows like The Cosby Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and films such as Renaissance Man and View from the Top. Despite facing numerous challenges along the way, Dash's resilience and dedication have seen her evolve into a versatile actress with a diverse portfolio. Beyond her acting career, Dash has made forays into the world of politics and broadcasting. She joined Fox News as a contributor in 2014, offering her perspectives on cultural and political issues. In 2018, she briefly ventured into politics, announcing her run for Congress in California's 44th district, although she withdrew her candidacy shortly after. Through all her endeavors, Stacey Dash has remained a figure of interest, not only for her versatility and talent but also for her boldness in navigating different spheres of public life.
- 166Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series Emmy Award for Send Me: An Original Web Series (2016)
- 167Los Angeles, California, USAParker McKenna Posey--not to be mistaken for the considerably older, renowned indie-film actress Parker Posey--appeared in her first commercial when she was two years old, and went on to do some modeling for a number of high-profile clients, as well as making an appearance in the music video for neo-soul star Macy Gray's "Sweet Baby," playing a younger version of the artist. It didn't take long for Posey to land more prominent roles on television; she has guest-starred on the police drama "NYPD Blue," Lifetime's "Strong Medicine," and the popular children's TV series "iCarly." Posey is best known for her role as Kady Kyle on the ABC sitcom "My Wife and Kids," which centered on Michael Kyle, played by Damon Wayans. Posey has also appeared in the family film "Alice Upside Down," starring Alyson Stoner.
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Abbey Lincoln
Chicago, Illinois, USAActress-musician Abbey Lincoln made a splash in Hollywood both on and off-screen for more than four decades. In her early acting career, Lincoln appeared in such films as "The Girl Can't Help It" (1956) and "Nothing But a Man" (1964). Lincoln's talent was recognized early on when she received a nomination for a best supporting actress Golden Globe Award for "For Love of Ivy" in 1968 for her incredible performance. Her work around this time also included a part on the TV movie "Short Walk to Daylight" (ABC, 1972-73). She also contributed to a variety of television specials, including "Abbey Lincoln, You Gotta Pay the Band" (1992-93), "Carnegie Hall Salutes the Jazz Masters" (PBS, 1993-94) and "The Ark of the Spirit With Avery Brooks" (TBS, 1995-96). She also had roles in film during these years, including roles in the dramatic comedy "Mo' Better Blues" (1990) with Denzel Washington. Lincoln also created music for the Matt Dillon crime drama "Drugstore Cowboy" (1989). Lincoln last appeared on "Forever Ella" (1999-2000). Lincoln passed away in August 2010 at the age of 80. - 169London, EnglandMichaela Ewuraba Boakye-Collinson (born 1 October 1987), known professionally as Michaela Coel, is a British actress, screenwriter, director, producer and singer. She is best known for creating and starring in the E4 sitcom Chewing Gum (2015–2017), for which she won the BAFTA Award for Best Female Comedy Performance; and the BBC One/HBO comedy-drama series I May Destroy You (2020) for which she won the British Academy Television Award for Best Actress in 2021. For her work on the latter, Coel made history as the first Black woman to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards.
- 170Okinawa, JapanMerle Dandridge was born in Okinawa, Japan. Her father was a member of the US military stationed there, and her mother a local Okinawan. After a childhood spent moving around, Dandridge and her family settled in Bellevue, Nebraska where she graduated from high school. She attended the Theater Conservatory at Roosevelt University in Chicago, performing in a number of theater productions, then moved to New York. Her first appearance in a Broadway show came in 2000, when she played Mary Magdalene in a production of "Jesus Christ Superstar." While she continued to work on stage, Dandridge also made inroads on screen, playing supporting roles on shows like "Angel" (The WB, 1999-2004) and "24" (Fox, 2001-2010; 2014). She landed her first prime-time recurring role in 2011 on "Sons of Anarchy" (FX, 2008-2014) and followed that up with recurring roles on alien/human romantic drama "Star Crossed" (The CW, 2014) and the hospital procedural "The Night Shift" (NBC, 2017). In 2016, she premiered in her first series regular role, playing one of the leads on "Greenleaf" (OWN, 2016-), a drama about a family that runs a Memphis mega-church, produced by Oprah Winfrey.
- 171Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Won for Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe for The Holdovers (2023)
- Shahadi Wright Joseph (born April 30, 2005) is an American actress, singer, and dancer. She is best known for her role in the 2019 Jordan Peele horror film Us and as the voice for Young Nala in the 2019 Lion King remake.
- 173Texas, USA, HoustonTheresa Harris (December 31, 1906 – October 8, 1985) was an American television and film actress, singer and dancer.
- 174Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, EnglandJodie Turner-Smith (born September 7 1986) is a British model and actress, known for her work in The Last Ship (2017), Nightflyers (2018), and Queen & Slim (2019).
- 175Cincinnati, Ohio, USAA vivacious and prolific character player, Louise Beavers kept company with the more acclaimed Hattie McDaniel as America's foremost filmic embodiment of a "mammy," a subservient but jovial African-American maid or cook. Like McDaniel, she was heavy-set and fairly dark-skinned; her roles generally presented her as extremely cheerful, loyal (if sometimes less than bright) and distinctly asexual. Her omnipresence in US film from the 1920s through the 50s testifies to the racist stereotypes so central to the history of an entire culture, but it would be far too facile to blame players like Beavers for their involvement in such image-making. After all, typecasting placed particular limits on the roles that blacks could play and, in some sense, Beavers' persona doubtless reflected at least some of the realities of black women's social backgrounds and careers. What is also important is how players like Beavers not only became a likable part of the cultural landscape despite the limitations of their roles, but also how their best work transcends the limitations of stereotyping. Furthermore, Beavers' characters often acted as a comical "Greek chorus" commenting on the antics of her films' white stars. Thus, even if no one intended any subversion, Beavers' presence could hint at the follies of racism within dominant society.
- 176
Reign A'Rei Edwards
Harford County, MDNominated for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series Emmy Award for The Bold and the Beautiful (2016-2018)
- 177Westminster, London, EnglandBefore she landed a lead role on the popular sci-fi series "Being Human," British actress Lenora Crichlow logged time on such primetime TV series as "The Bill" and "Sugar Rush." After training with the Youngblood Theater Company, Crichlow broke into acting with a small role in the made-for-TV movie "Bella and the Boys," about three longtime friends who reunite and reminisce about the children's home they grew up in. She next appeared as a teenage drug addict in nearly a dozen episodes of the long-running police drama "The Bill," which follows the complicated lives of a group of inner London police officers. In 2005 Crichlow was cast as Sugar, a carefree bisexual high school student, in the teen drama "Sugar Rush." Based on author Julia Burchill's novel of the same name, the show explores the sexually-charged relationship between lovestruck 15-year-old Kim Daniels (Olivia Hallinan) and her best friend Sugar; it won several awards and nominations for its frank depiction of teenage love and sexuality. Since then, Crichlow has landed two major roles; she's portrayed aspiring fashion designer Ali Redcliffe in the BBC romantic comedy series "Material Girl," based on the 2006 novel "Fashion Babylon"; and replaced actress Andrea Riseborough as Annie, a ghost learning to live with a vampire and a werewolf, in the cult sci-fi series "Being Human."
- 178Davenport, Iowa, USADana L. Davis (born October 4, 1978) is an American actress and author, known for playing Monica Dawson on the NBC series Heroes (2007), Chastity Church on the ABC Family television series 10 Things I Hate About You (2009–10) and Carmen Phillips on the TNT series Franklin & Bash (2011-2013).
- 179Baltimore, Maryland, USAKnown just as well for her socially relevant work as a playwright as for her stunning reputation as an actor, Anna Deavere Smith was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1950. After graduating from Arcadia University with her Bachelor's in 1971, she earned an MFA in acting from American Conservatory Theater and embarked upon a career as a professional actor. Though she would earn quick notoriety for playing Glamorama the Shampoo Girl on the soap opera "All My Children" (ABC, 1970-2011) in 1970, Deavere Smith would find a real home on the stage, appearing in productions like the Riverside Shakespeare's "The Merry Wives of Windsor" and The American Place Theatre's "Aye, Aye, Aye, I'm Integrated." In 1992, she wrote and starred in "Fires in the Mirror," her first of several one-woman-shows written in the documentary theater style, with Deavere Smith portraying several real-life people who survived a socially tumultuous historical event. She would earn tremendous acclaim with several such plays including "Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992," "The Arizona Project," "Let Me Down Easy," and "On Grace." Deavere Smith has also consistently worked as a college professor, teaching at Stanford University, the University of Southern California, Carnegie Mellon University, and NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, in addition to enjoying a successful career on screen. She notably appeared in the White House films "Dave" (1993) and "The American President" (1995) before joining the cast of the presidential series "The West Wing" (NBC, 1999-2006). She later co-starred on the series "Nurse Jackie" (Showtime, 2009-2015). In 2018, Deavere Smith appeared in the biographical dramedy "Can You Ever Forgive Me?"
- 180England, LondonDiane Parish (born 1 November 1969) is an English actress. She is known for her roles Eva Sharpe in ITV drama The Bill and Denise Fox in BBC soap opera EastEnders.
- 181
Ruby Dandridge
Wichita, Kansas, USARuby Jean Dandridge (née Butler; March 3, 1900 – October 17, 1987) was an American actress from the early 1900s through to the late 1950s. Dandridge is best known for her radio work in her early days of acting. Dandridge is best known for her role on the radio show Amos 'n Andy, in which she played Sadie Blake and Harriet Crawford, and on radio's Judy Canova Show, in which she played "Geranium". She is recognized for her role in the 1959 movie A Hole in the Head as "Sally". - 182Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USAMarion Ramsey was an actress who appeared in "Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach," "Police Academy 6: City Under Siege," and "Police Academy 3: Back in Training."
- 183Brooklyn, New York, USAActress and screenwriter who projects a prickly and independent intelligence on screen. The sister of Spike Lee, Joie (pronounced zhwa) Lee made her film acting debut in her brother's "She's Gotta Have It" (1986) and has appeared in all of his films to date (as his sister in "Do the Right Thing" 1989 and as a romantic lead in "Mo' Better Blues" 1990). She was also featured in the independent thriller "Bail Jumper" (1989), the remake of "A Kiss Before Dying" (1991) as well as Jonathan Demme's music video for the Nevile Brothers, "Sister Rosa." Lee made her stage debut as the lead in the Zora Neale Hurston-Langston Hughes collaboration, "Mule Bone" on Broadway in 1991.
184Claudia McNeil
Baltimore, Maryland, USAClaudia McNeil was an American actress who was best known for her role in "A Raisin in the Sun" as Lena Younger. McNeil was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 1964 for "The Nurses."- 185USA, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaMonica Patrice Calhoun (born July 29, 1971) is an American film and television actress. Calhoun is best known for her roles in the films Bagdad Cafe, The Players Club, The Salon, The Best Man, and its sequel The Best Man Holiday. Calhoun was nominated for an Emmy Award for her performance in the CBS Schoolbreak Special "Different Worlds: A Story of Interracial Love" (1993). Calhoun was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her portrayal of Mia Morgan in the 1999 comedy–drama film The Best Man.
