Oscar-winning Black Actors

The Oscars have frequently come under fire for the lack of racial diversity amongst its nominees and winners, particularly in the acting categories, an argument that came to a head during the #OscarsSoWhite controversy in 2015 and 2016, when not a single actor of color was nominated in any of the top four acting categories. 2017 presented a far more diverse story as several black actors were nominated.

Those who have been fortunate enough to win are members of an extremely select group, as only 14 black actors have won acting awards in the 89-year history of the Oscars. Hattie McDaniel was the first to win an acting Oscar for her supporting role in 1939’s “Gone with the Wind,” while Lupita Nyong’o is the most recent for her performance in “12 Years a Slave.” To date, only one actress has won in the lead category: Halle Berry for her performance in 2001’s “Monster’s Ball.”

Click through our photo gallery of every black performer to win an acting Oscar.

– By Tony Ruiz

Lupita Nyong’o, ’12 Years a Slave’

Best Supporting Actress (2013)

The Kenyan actress made her film debut in this Best Picture-winner, prevailing for her portrayal of Patsey, a slave who endures brutal treatment on a cotton plantation.

Octavia Spencer, ‘The Help’

Best Supporting Actress (2011)

The veteran character actress earned a standing ovation when she won for her role as a strong-willed maid in Mississippi in the 1960s.

Mo’Nique, ‘Precious’

Best Supporting Actress (2009)

The actress and comedian also earned a standing ovation for her terrifying performance as the abusive mother of an impoverished girl in this dark drama from director Lee Daniels.

Forest Whitaker, ‘The Last King of Scotland’

Best Actor (2006)

Whitaker won his Oscar for his portrayal of the vicious Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.

Jennifer Hudson, ‘Dreamgirls’

Best Supporting Actress (2006)

The former “American Idol” contestant won for her role as Effie White, the outspoken member of an R&B trio in this adaptation of the Broadway musical.

Jamie Foxx, ‘Ray’

Best Actor (2004)

The actor and musician won for his embodiment of the legendary singer and pianist Ray Charles in this biopic from director Taylor Hackford.

Morgan Freeman, ‘Million Dollar Baby’

Best Supporting Actor (2004)

After three previous nominations, Freeman won his first Oscar for his portrayal of a former boxer in this Best Picture-winner from director Clint Eastwood.

Denzel Washington, ‘Training Day’

Best Actor (2001)

Washington won his second Oscar, his first in the Best Actor category, for his portrayal of an unethical narcotics officer. Washington is the only black actor to have won more than one Oscar competitively.

Halle Berry, ‘Monster’s Ball’

Best Actress (2001)

Berry was the first, and to date, only black performer to win in the Best Actress category for her role as a waitress who embarks on a relationship with a racist prison guard.

Cuba Gooding Jr., ‘Jerry Maguire’

Best Supporting Actor (1996)

Gooding gave one of the most enthusiastic acceptance speeches in Oscar history upon receiving the award for his portrayal of football player Rod Tidwell.

Whoopi Goldberg, ‘Ghost’

Best Supporting Actress (1990)

The actress and comedian won her Oscar for her portrayal of a con artist who is haunted by the spirit of a man looking to bring his killer to justice. Goldberg was also the first black actress to receive multiple Oscar nominations, following her Best Actress bid for “The Color Pruple” (1985).

Denzel Washingon, ‘Glory’

Best Supporting Actor (1989)

Washington won his first Oscar for his portrayal of an escaped slave who becomes a member of one the first all-black Army units during the Civil War.

Louis Gossett Jr., ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’

Best Supporting Actor (1982)

The Emmy-winning actor won his Oscar for his portrayal of a brutal drill sergeant in this romantic drama.

Sidney Poitier, ‘Lilies of the Field’

Best Actor (1963)

Poitier’s win for playing a good-natured handyman made him the first black man to win an acting Oscar, and the first black actor of any gender to win for a leading role.

Hattie McDaniel, ‘Gone with the Wind’

Best Supporting Actress (1939)

McDaniel was the first black actor ever to earn an Oscar, winning for her performance as an outspoken house slave in this Oscar-winning epic.