This list includes African American actors and actresses with a Wikipedia article and/or references showing notability. This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness.
African American comedians and actors have significantly shaped the landscape of comedy, bringing unique perspectives and humor to television and film. Their contributions have not only entertained audiences but have also paved the way for greater diversity and representation in the entertainment industry. Let's take a look at some of the funniest and most influential African American actors who have made us laugh over the years.
Stand-Up Legends and Film Stars
Many African American actors started their careers in stand-up comedy before transitioning to film and television. This path allowed them to hone their comedic timing and develop unique characters that resonated with audiences.
Eddie Murphy
Black Jeopardy – SNL50
Murphy made his film debut in 48 Hrs. (1982), alongside Nick Nolte. Beverly Hills Cop (1984) made Murphy a box-office superstar and a worldwide celebrity. His performance as Axel Foley earned him a Golden Globe nomination. Films like The Golden Child (1986) and Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) were commercially successful, though critically panned.
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Murphy's remake of Jerry Lewis's The Nutty Professor (1996) revived his career. He transitioned to family-oriented humor with films like Doctor Dolittle (1998), Mulan (1998), Bowfinger (1999), and Shrek (2001). Throughout the 2000s, he starred in hits like The Haunted Mansion (2003), Shrek 2 (2004), and Dreamgirls (2006), earning an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Richard Pryor
Richard Franklin Lennox Pryor III was born on December 1, 1940, in Peoria, Illinois. Pryor's talent was evident in his film ventures, though the results were mixed at the box office. His talent, with equally mixed returns at the box office. He was raised in his grandmother's brothel. Pryor's talent, with equally mixed returns at the box office.
Chris Rock
Chris Rock has been in stand-up comedy for several decades. He lives in Alpine, New Jersey. Rock gained recognition with roles in Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) and as Pookie in New Jack City. He appeared in films like Down to Earth and the Grown Ups franchise.
Martin Lawrence
Black Jeopardy – SNL50
Bernie Mac
Bernard Jeffrey McCollough was born in 1957 in Chicago. He became a professional comedian in 1977, at the age of 19. In 1992 he made his film debut with a small part with Mo' Money (1992). In 1996, he starred in the memorable Spike Lee movie Get on the Bus (1996). In 1999 Bernie Mac got his most high profile part up to that point in the film Life (1999) starring Eddie Murphy.
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In 2001 he played Martin Lawrence's uncle in What's the Worst That Could Happen? (2001) and later that year, was in the star studded remake of Ocean's Eleven (2001). However his biggest success was The Bernie Mac Show (2001), which debuted in 2001 to instant acclaim. On August 9, 2008, after weeks of unsuccessful treatments, Bernie Mac died at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He was 50.
Will Smith
Willard Carroll "Will" Smith II (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, comedian, producer, rapper, and songwriter. In the late 1980s, Smith achieved fame as a rapper under the name The Fresh Prince. In 1990, his popularity increased when he starred in the television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Smith's first major roles were in the drama Six Degrees of Separation (1993) and the action film Bad Boys (1995) in which he starred opposite Martin Lawrence.
In 1996, Smith starred as part of an ensemble cast in Roland Emmerich's Independence Day. He later struck gold again in the summer of 1997 alongside Tommy Lee Jones in the summer hit Men in Black playing Agent J. In 2005, Smith was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for attending three premieres in a 24-hour time span.
Kevin Hart
Kevin Darnell Hart is known for his roles in the Jumanji sequels, Think Like a Man (2012), and Ride Along (2014). Hart's comedic reputation grew with the release of his first stand-up album, Kevin Hart: I'm a Grown Little Man (2009). In 2015, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. In 2017, he launched the Laugh Out Loud Network.
Chris Tucker
At one point in time, Chris Tucker was the highest-paid actor in Hollywood. Tucker was a frequent guest on Def Comedy Jam (1992). Tucker was noted for doing exceptionally "clean", non-vulgar stand-up comedy routines. Films such as Friday (1995) showed Tucker's television-comedy styling was very different from his stand-up. Tucker also appeared in another film, Dead Presidents (1995).
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In 1997 was the busiest year of Tucker's career. hit movies all in the same year: The Fifth Element (1997), Money Talks (1997), and Jackie Brown (1997). In 1998, Tucker got a role to star along-side Jackie Chan. In 1997 was the busiest year of Tucker's career. hit movies all in the same year: The Fifth Element (1997), Money Talks (1997), and Jackie Brown (1997). In 1998, Tucker got a role to star along-side Jackie Chan.
Damon Wayans
A tall comedian of film and television satire, Damon Wayans hit 90's TV stardom playing various characters on older brother Keenen Ivory Wayans' show In Living Color (1990). Born on September 4, 1960, in New York City, Wayans was the third of ten children. He toured on the national comedy club circuits until earning a regular featured slot on Saturday Night Live (1975) for one season (1985-1986).
Damon gained major notice as an alien alongside Jeff Goldblum and future co-star Jim Carrey in the wild film Earth Girls Are Easy (1988). It gave Damon a brilliant showcase as both actor and special material writer and he broke out early among the talented ensemble players with his eclectic gallery of characters that often bordered on raunch: Homey the Clown, the disabled Handiman and the outrageously gay film critic Blaine Edwards from the "Men on Film" skits. Creative control and financial issues, especially content censoring, led to Keenan abruptly leaving the show in 1992, followed by Damon and his kin within a year.
Terry Crews
Terry Crews was born in Flint, Michigan, to Patricia and Terry Crews Sr. Crews was an All-Conference defensive end, and was a major contributor on the 1988 MAC champion WMU Broncos. His college success was rewarded in 1991, when he was drafted by the NFL's Los Angeles Rams.
Crews played six years in the NFL, with stints at the L.A. Rams, San Diego Chargers , Rhein Fire (NFL Europe-Germany), Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles. Crews retired from the NFL in 1997 and moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. Crews's first break came in 1999, when he auditioned for the extreme sports show called Battle Dome
Other Notable Actors
- Anthony Anderson: Known for roles in Kangaroo Jack, Transformers, and The Shield.
- Tracy Morgan: Famous for 30 Rock, the Rio franchise, and Saturday Night Live.
In Memoriam
We also remember those who have passed away but left a lasting impact on comedy:
- Aaliyah, singer, actress
- Lamont Bentley, actor
- Chadwick Boseman, actor
- DMX, actor, rapper
- Nelsan Ellis, actor
- Kimberly Hébert Gregory, actress
A Legacy of Laughter
The actors listed here represent just a fraction of the immense talent within the African American comedic community. Their dedication, creativity, and unique perspectives have enriched the entertainment industry and brought joy to audiences worldwide. To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article and/or references showing the person is African American and a notable actor.
Here is a table with some of the actors mentioned:
| Actor | Notable Roles |
|---|---|
| Eddie Murphy | Beverly Hills Cop, Shrek, Doctor Dolittle |
| Richard Pryor | Silver Streak, Which Way Is Up? |
| Chris Rock | Beverly Hills Cop II, Grown Ups, Top Five |
| Martin Lawrence | Bad Boys, Martin, Big Momma's House |
| Bernie Mac | The Bernie Mac Show, Ocean's Eleven, Mr. 3000 |
| Will Smith | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Bad Boys, Men in Black |
| Kevin Hart | Jumanji, Ride Along, Think Like a Man |
| Chris Tucker | Friday, Rush Hour, The Fifth Element |
