Celebrity Gist
Top 100 African Actors And actresses in Hollywood
I never believed that some of and the series and movies we watched are actually Africans and most of them are Nigerians.
Djimon Hounsou
Actor, Blood Diamond
Djimon originates from Benin in West
Africa and has graced the catwalks of Paris and London as a popular male
model. He has since left his modeling career and has worked on
Gladiator by Ridley Scott and Amistad by Steven Spielberg.
“ Benin- Was
brilliant in Gladiator, Amistad and Blood Diamond (oscar nominee for
best supporting actor), and apparently also in "In America", for which
he also recieved an Oscar Nomination. I think he is one of the most
compelling and charismatic actors walking the streets of Hollywood
nowadays. ” - melkmans
2.
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Actor, Children of Men
Born on July 10, 1977 in Forest Gate to
Nigerian parents, Chiwetel attended Dulwich College in South-East
London. By the age of 13 he was appearing in numerous school and
National Youth Theatre productions and subsequently attended the London
Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. In 1996 Ejiofor caught...
“ Nigeria- I'm
stoked he's playing Fela Kuti in the upcoming biopic directed by Steve
McQueen. This Shakespearian trained actor has build up quite a strong
reputation in the last few years, on stage and on screen. He co-starred
in blockbusters like 2012, Salt and Love Actually, but Ejiofor is at his
best in more artsy films like Children of Men, American Gangster and
Dirty Pretty Things. The upcoming "Twelve years as a slave" should bring
him his first Oscar nomination. Also looking forward to see him play in
the 2013 adaption of "Half of a yellow Sun" ” - melkmans
3.
David Oyelowo
Actor, Jack Reacher
David Oyelowo (pronounced -
"oh-yellow-oh"), a classically trained stage actor, has quickly become
one of Hollywood's most sought-after talents. He graduated from the
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), and received the
"Scholarship for Excellence" from Nicholas Hytner in 1998. David
received numerous accolades for the recent independent film...
“ Nigeria- Up and
coming shakespearian actor. Famous for his performances in "The last
king of Scotland", "Jacker Reacher" and "Rise of the Planet of the
Apes". Has yet to play an African character in a big film/ ” - melkmans
4.
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
Actor, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Born and raised in London, England,
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje began his career as a model in Milan. He
graduated with a masters degree in Law from London's prestigious Kings
College, before moving to Los Angeles to make the transition to acting.
Fluent in several languages, including English, Italian...
“ Nigeria- Big,
bold and awesome. Majestic actor who always gets the attention with his
charismatic and often very physical roles. Most famous for his
portrayal of the peculair Dr. Eko in Lost. Will starr in Thor as a
villain ” - melkmans
5.
Idris Elba
Actor, Prometheus
Idris Elba is an English television,
theatre, and film actor. He was born an only child and grew up in
London. His father is from Sierra Leone and worked at a Ford car
factory. His mother is from Ghana and did clerical work. Idris went to
school in Canning Town, where he first became involved in acting...
“ Ghana- Elba
always plays a badass. Just a summary of his creations: Stringel Bell in
"The Wire", the complex Luther in the detectiveseries with the same
name, the mighy Heimdall in "Thor" and the Crosby, Stills and Nash fan
Janek in "Promotheus", in which he manages to seduce Charlize Theron
with a horrible sounding accordeon. Will star as Nelson Mandela in
"Mandela: Long walk to freedom". Despite all these awesome roles, he is
still waiting for a breakout role. His lead in the upcoming Del Toro
vehicle "Pacific Rim" could mean his breaktrough ” - melkmans
6.
Thandie Newton
Actress, The Pursuit of Happyness
Thandie Newton is the daughter of a
Rhodesian (now Zimbabwean) mother from the Shona people and a British
father. She lived in Zambia until political unrest caused her family to
move back to the UK. She then lived in Cornwall in the southwest of
Britain until the age of 11. At that time she enrolled in London's Art
Educational School...
“ Zimbabwe- Pretty
girl from London with Zimbabwean heritage. Has starred in blockbusters
like 2012 and The Pursuit of Happiness (and god forgive her, Norbit).
But she's not just there to be pretty. She proved this with compelling
performances in Crash and W. ” - melkmans
7.
“ Senegal- I know,
everyone has just seen one film with him in in (exept when ya French),
but damn was he awesome in "Intouchables" as the bold but sympathetic
Driss. He was also in "Micmacs a tire largot", besides French funnyman
Dany Boon. Needless to say we'll see him a lot on the big screen coming
years, starting this year with Gondry's "L'ecume du jours". ” - melkmans
8.
“ Nigeria- This
half Nigerian half Jewish star secured her place in the memory of
thousands of movie-goers with her role in the drama "Hotel Rwanda".
After this breakout she hasn't had a role as big as then, but she was
cool in Dr. Who and Skin. ” - melkmans
9.
“ Nigeria- John
Boyega is one of tommorows biggest stars. He gained much praise for his
lead performance as in the horror/action flick "Attack the Block".
Boyega plays Moses, a charismatic and utterly cool kid from the block.
It will be interesting to see how Boyega's career will devolop in the
next years, but right now, Boyega is hot. He would be the ideal
candidate to play the Black Panther, should a moving picture be shot in
the next ten years. Let's see if he can keep the buzz going on after his
next big film, "Half of a Yellow Sun" ” - melkmans
10.
“ Ghana- Just as
big and fearsome as AAA. His voice is awesome. He caught the attention
of a lot of people in Ritchie's RocknRolla as the sophisticated and
streetwise Tank, despite the fact that this character had little
screentime. From there on, he got bigger roles, in The Grey and Game of
Thrones. It is just a matter of time before Anozie breaks through. He
also has a lot of villain-potential ” - melkmans
11.
Isaach De Bankolé
Actor, Casino Royale
Isaach De Bankole, C'sar award-winning
actor, was born on the Ivory Coast. Isaach was discovered on the streets
of Paris while studying to be an airline pilot. He has a degree in
Acting from Cours Simon and a Masters in Mathematics from the Universite
de Paris.
“ Ivory Coast- Is
one of the go-to actors in Hollywood for directors who need an African
actor. This is mostly because is a charismatic chameleon, within seconds
he can change from cool to downright lethal. Isaach is one of those
actors who can say a lot without talking. He proved this in "Limits of
Control". Is known for his roles in 24, Casino Royale and Manderlay.
Long time collaborator with Jim Jarmusch. ” - melkmans
13.
Peter Mensah
Actor, Avatar
Peter Mensah has been doing martial arts
since he was 6 years old, growing up in St. Albans, England, just north
of London. A former engineer, Mensah came to Canada 11 years ago. He'd
worked for British Gas developing gas fields at Morecomb Bay and had
done theatre in school. He comes from an academic family...
“ This is Madness! ” - melkmans
15.
Danai Gurira
Actress, The Visitor
Danai Gurira was born in Grinnell, Iowa to
parents from Zimbabwe, when her father was teaching Chemistry at
Grinnell College. When she was 5, the family moved back to Zimbabwe.
Gurira studied social psychology at Macalaster College, and received an
MFA from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. She is the
co-author of the play In the continuum with Nikkole Salter.
“ Zimbabwe- Proves
her awesomeness every week in The Walking Dead as the sword wielding
zombie slayer Michonne. Go and see her in upcoming Sundance hit "Mother
of George" ” - melkmans
16.
Richard Ayoade
Writer, Submarine
The child of a Norwegian mother and
Nigerian father, Richard Ellef Ayoade grew up in Suffolk in England.
Later studying Law at Cambridge university. He followed in the footsteps
of British Comedy legends like Monty Python's Eric Idle, Hugh Laurie and Graeme Garden when he became the president of the Cambridge Footlights club...
“ Nigeria- Brit
with Nigerian heritage mostly known for his brilliant comedy chop We all
known him as the nerdy and nasal Moss from "The IT-Crowd" or as (well I
haven't seen it so I don't known his name) one of the idiots from "The
Watch". Is also a pretty good director, considering the masterpiece that
is "Submarine", starring Craig Roberts. ” - melkmans
20.
Dayo Okeniyi
Actor, The Hunger Games
Raised in Lagos Nigeria, Dayo Okeniyi
(Pronounced: Die-o Okay-ni-yii) began acting in theatre at his
elementary school. In 2003, Okeniyi, the youngest of five siblings,
moved from Nigeria with his family to the United States. His father, now
a retired customs officer and mother, a British literature teacher...
23.
Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine
Actor, Blood Diamond
Ntare received his Masters Degree of Fine
Arts in Acting from New York University and completed studies at The
Moscow Arts Theatre in Russia, The Royal National Theatre in London and
The University of Virginia. An accomplished photographer and writer,
Ntare's photographic work has been featured in Vanity Fair...
“ "T.IA. Danny, T.IA."- Blood Diamond ” - melkmans
24.
Yaya Alafia
Actress, The Kids Are All Right
Yaya Alafia was born and raised in New
York City along with her sister and two brothers. She got her first
acting gig at the age of eleven when her junior high school drama
teacher, Ann Willis Ratray, encouraged her to audition for educational
films. She continued to perform in school shows throughout high school
and college and in 2005...
27.
“ Is awesome as
Fela Kuti in the Fela! musical. I hope he will also do some big-screen
roles, because his performance in the ABCseries "The last Resort" as
Julian Serrat was very promising as well. ” - melkmans
30.
Charles Mnene
Actor, New Town Killers
Charles Mnene was born in Nairobi, Kenya
and is an only child. Charles was raised by his grandmother until the
age of 6 and moved around Africa in his early years; living in different
places around the country. He flew to England alone at the age of nine
with only five shillings in his pocket and his passport and moved to
Willesden...
31.
Saycon Sengbloh
Actress, American Gangster
Saycon Sengbloh has had an exciting
journey from Atlanta, GA to New York City. Born to an American mother
and Liberian father she was thrilled to be a featured actress in the
hottest new Afro-beat musical "Fela!" on Broadway, Saycon starred as the
delicious Sandra Iszadore! Being photographed and named one of the
hottest up and coming acts in the annual juice issue of VIBE magazine...
33.
N!xau
Actor, The Gods Must Be Crazy
N!xau, a San from the Kalahari Desert, was discovered by director Jamie Uys and cast in the lead role in the 1980 movie The Gods Must Be Crazy.
He received only a few hundred dollars for his work in that film, but
was astute enough to negotiate for over half a million for his
appearance in the sequel...
34.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Actress, Larry Crowne
Gugu, short for Gugulethu, Xhosa for "Our
Pride", was born in the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, England. Her
mother, Anne Raw, is a caucasian, English nurse, and her father, Patrick
Mbatha, is a black, South African doctor. Her parents separated when
she was a year old, though she is still close to her father...
37.
Carmen Ejogo
Actress, Away We Go
Carmen Ejogo grew up in London. Ejogo's
television career began in the UK in the early 1990s, where she
presented the children's series Saturday Disney. Subsequently, she has
had an acting career in the US. She has appeared in Metro with Eddie
Murphy, What's the Worst That Could Happen with Martin Lawrence...
38.
Hakeem Kae-Kazim
Actor, Hotel Rwanda
Actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim, classically
trained in the UK at the highly regarded Bristol Old Vic and soon after
graduation was invited to join the Royal Shakespeare Company. Hakeem's
list of impressive credits include Pirates of the Caribbean III, Lost,
Cane with Jimmy Smits, Law & Order: SVU with Mariska Hargitay...
“ Nigeria- When
director write a Nigerian stock-character, they call Hakim Kae-Kazim. He
makes quite some small cameo's as a African
crimelord/general/piratelord. His thundering deep voice is awesome, as
is his Nigerian Accent. Watch that Wolverine movie and you'll know what
i'm talking about. He got some more screentime in Hotel Rwanda, The
Fourth Kind, Strike back and 24. ” - melkmans
44.
Souleymane Sy Savane
Actor, Goodbye Solo
Souleymane Sy Savane was born in the Ivory
Coast, West Africa, where he was one of the continent's top models and a
semi pro basketball player. In 2000, he gave up a thriving career to
move to the US. He studied British technique under Dr Ruth Kulerman in
New York and has attended the Film Actors Workshop under Eric Kline in
Los Angeles...
46.
Mahershala Ali
Born in Oakland, California, Mahershala
Ali was raised in the neighboring city of Hayward by his parents and
extended family. Ali played basketball for St. Mary's College in Moraga,
California (just east of Berkeley), where he received his bachelor of
arts degree in mass communications. He began taking acting classes in
his junior year...
47.
Wale Ojo
Actor, The Guard
Wale Ojo began acting with the first
television station in Africa as a child prodigy and star. He turned
professional in the United Kingdom at the age of 21. He is the pioneer
and founder of the New Nigeria Cinema whose aim is to improve the
quality of Nigerian films. To date, he runs a yearly festival titled New
Nigeria Cinema day at the British Film Institute in London...
51.
Genevieve Nnaji
Actress, Ijé
Genevieve Nnaji grew up in Lagos, the
commercial capital of Nigeria. The fourth of eight children, she was
brought up in a middle-class environment. Her father worked as an
engineer and her mother worked as a teacher. She attended the Methodist
Girls College Yaba before heading to the University of Lagos...
54.
Osas Ighodaro
Actress, Cadillac Records
Born and raised in the home of the New
York Yankees, Osas Ighodaro is a Bronx Native. She hails from an entire
Nigerian-born family. While proud of their strong heritage, Osas and her
loved ones are equally proud that she is a part of her family's first
American - born generation. As a Nigerian-American...
55.
Judith Shekoni
British born Judi Shekoni is an exotic mix
of African, Spanish and British descent. She is soon to be seen as
'Zafrina' the leader of the Amazons in Twilight Sagas: Breaking Dawn.
Brought up in Britain, she has trained extensively including Shakespeare
and the Classics. Her career in the UK included roles on every major
television channel...
56.
Arinze Kene
Actor, Freestyle
Quite possibly the most underrated and
underexposed actor of his caliber in both theatre and screen, Arinze
Kene's undeniable talent and ability to successfully bring to life any
role he undertakes is on a par with the most praised and revered A-list
actors in the business. Kene was born in Lagos, Nigeria...
58.
Adepero Oduye
Actress, Pariah
Adepero Oduye hails from Brooklyn, New
York City by way of Nigeria. She is a graduate of Cornell University;
and has studied acting with Wynn Handman, Austin Pendleton, and Susan
Batson. Her name is pronounced "Add-eh-pair-o Oh-due-yay." Her theatre
credits include Danai Gurira's play Eclipsed, at the Yale Repertory
Theatre; The Bluest Eye...
59.
Vera Ephraim
Actress, Sewende laan
Vera Ephraim's full name is Vera Nkechi
Anenyeonu. She is from Anambra state, Nigeria. "Ephraim" is her dad's
first name, she decided to use it for her professional name as a sign of
their support in her life and profession. Her parents died when she was
very young. Acting and dancing have been a long life passion for
Vera...
60.
Esosa E.
Actress, #Vengeance Is Mine
Esosa is an award winning
actress/writer/"directress." She was born in New York City and growing
up was reared in New York, New Jersey, California, Jamaica, and
Virginia. She has received several awards and distinctions since the
beginning of her artistic career, including: 2008 Brooklyn Arts Re-Grant
and the 2007 Frances E...
61.
Ebbe Bassey
Actress, A Spoonful of Sugar
Ebbe Bassey was born in the Bronx, New
York and raised in Calabar, Nigeria, West Africa. She is an actress,
writer, producer who believes that art should educate and entertain. She
studied the Meisner technique of Method acting at the William Esper
Studio under the tutelage of Ms. Maggie Flanigan. In 2007...
63.
Deborah Ayorinde
Actress, Django Unchained
Deborah Ayorinde was born in London,
England. At age seven, she performed in her first play with a drama
school in the Forest Gate area of London. It was there that she
developed a passion for the arts. When she was eight years old, she and
her family relocated to San Jose, California. She continued to develop
her talents by participating in talent shows and contests...
67.
Babs Olusanmokun
Actor, Max Payne 3
Born in the sprawling city of Lagos. Was
also raised in Paris and Brazil..Speaks fluent portuguese, french,
yoruba. Arrived in New York alone as a teenager and quickly made it
home. Worked as a bouncer in hot spots like Joe's Pub while studying
acting with various teachers like Anthony Abeson,former Tennessee
Williams' personal assistant John Uecker...
68.
Megalyn Echikunwoke
Actress, A Good Day to Die Hard
Megalyn Ann Echikunwoke was born May 28,
1983 in Spokane, Washington. Her father is Nigerian and her mother is of
Caucasian descent. Her last name Echikunwoke means "leader of men" and
Megalyn is the granddaughter of a Nigerian tribal leader of the Igbo,
which technically makes her African royalty. She is known for playing
"Nicole Palmer" in the first season of 24...
70.
Nikki Amuka-Bird
Actress, The Omen
Amkua-Bird was born in Nigeria, but grew
up in the UK and in Antigua. She abandoned her dancing aspirations after
suffering a back injury. After attending LAMDA, she joined the Royal
Shakespeare Company. Whilst on tour with the RSC in Japan, she met her
husband, actor Geoffrey Streatfeild. In addition to her numerous
television roles and the RSC...
74.
David Wurawa
Actor, Frankfurt Coincidences
David Wurawa began his professional acting
training and career at the Bulawayo National Theater in Zimbabwe. He
continued his acting tutelage with tutors from Neighborhood School of
Theater (USA), Act UP (UK), The Actors Centre (UK). London Academy of
Media, Film & Television (UK). His ability to portray a spectrum of
characters has gathered him rave reviews...
78.
Zakes Mokae
Actor, Waterworld
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa,actor
Zakes Mokae was trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and became
one of the most distinguished thespians in South Africa for over two
decades. Mokae was one of the few actors capable of crossing the divided
racial sections, punctuated by his collaborations with white writer
Athol Fugard...
84.
Eke Chukwu
Actor, Hood
Eke was born and raised in south-east
London. His parents are both of Nigerian origin. Eke attended various
Youth theatres as a teen, namely the London Bubble Theatre where he
learned a few craft basics and developed his passion for performance. In
pursuit of an acting career, he was awarded a scholarship to train at
London's prestigious Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts where...
86.
Michael Obiora
Actor, Blink
Michael Obiora was born in North-West
London to Nigerian parents. After starting drama classes aged seven. He
was soon encouraged to join an agency by his drama teacher. He then
joined another drama group at nine years of age, and within a year,
landed a part in the hit children's' school drama, 'Grange Hill'...
88.
Ellie Foumbi
Actress, Pro-Black Sheep
Born in Cameroon, Ellie Foumbi moved to
the United States at the age of five. Growing up in the suburbs of New
York City, she attended the French-American School of New York where she
was introduced to classic French theatre and the richness of French
cinema. She then attended Fordham University, where her love for the
arts deepened...
89.
Tracy Ifeachor
Actress, The End of Time: Part One
Tracy Ifeachor was born and raised in the
sea-side city of Plymouth in Devonshire, England. After being crowned
Senior Verse Speaking Champion of the South-West at the age of 15, Tracy
was keen to go to drama school to study acting but her father, a
Professor of Electronic engineering, an accomplished lecturer and
published author in his field, was keen for Tracy to finish her
education...
90.
Mohamed Dione
Actor, Notorious
Mohamed Dione III was born in Saudi
Arabia. He is of Guinean and Senegalese descent. His father is a Guinean
diplomat and his mother is an entrepreneur specializing in promotion
and African fashion. Before reaching high school, the actor/model had
already seen a great deal of the world. He came to the United States in
1993 when his father was appointed to the Guinea mission in New York
City...
93.
Blu Mankuma
Actor, 2012
A native of Seattle, Washington, Mankuma
made Vancouver his home during the turbulent years of the Vietnam war.
This unique actor with an easy grace on film despite his commanding six
foot, 230 lb. girth, Mankuma quickly established a following among
producers and directors, building an impressive resume of film,
television and theatre credits, becoming one of Canada's busiest
actors...
95.
Ger Duany
Actor, I Heart Huckabees
Ger Duany was born in Akobo, South Sudan
in 1978. He is the fifth child of ten born to mother, Nyathak Muon and
father, Thabac Duany. He was forcefully recruited as a child soldier
during the Second Sudanese Civil War. However, Duany successfully fled
to Ethiopia at age 14, then to Kenya and finally sought refuge in The
United States when he was sixteen...
97.
Anniwaa Buachie
Actress, Big Lies, Little Lies
2007 winner of Alan Bates Outstanding
Newcomer Award,Anniwaa is a British born actress of Ghanaian decent, the
youngest child out of four. From age 6, she was scouted by renowned
ballet dancer Rhian Robins, who believed her dance skills were of an
exceptionally high standard and encouraged Anniwaa's parents to enroll
her in to the Royal Academy of Dance...
98.
Mpho Koaho
Actor, Saw III
Mpho Koaho is a series regular on Falling
Skies for TNT. Other television credits include the Canadian miniseries
Soul, for which he won a Gemini Award in 2009, and a critically
acclaimed guest lead performance on the CBS series Flashpoint, for which
he was also nominated for a Gemini Award. Koaho...
100.
Noma Dumezweni
Actress, Planet of the Dead
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