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Home · ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood

22 Of The Most Iconic Roles Played By Black Women in Hollywood

We all know the roles that made some our favorite stars famous. We can quote the classic lines and sing the soundtrack on cue. They're iconic. As we prepare to celebrate the ninth annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards and the 88th annual Academy Awards, hosted by our February cover star Chris Rock, here's a look at the roles that put some of Hollywood's hottest stars on the map.

By Lauren Porter · February 24, 2016October 27, 2020
01
Bernadine Harris

One of the greatest moments in Black cinema is courtesy of Angela Bassett for her role in the film adaptation of Terry McMillan’s novel, Waiting to Exhale.

02
Miss Sofia

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey, truly transformed in the iconic film, The Color Purple, which earned her an Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actress.

03
Cookie Lyon

The world wasn’t ready for Taraji P. Henson’s feisty role in Empire, but Cookie is here and she slays!

FOX Image Collection
04
Tina Turner

Taking on the role of the legendary singer in What’s Love Got to Do With It? was no easy feat for Angela Bassett, but it’s one that scored the Hollywood heavyweight an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

05
Olivia Pope

Hollywood got its dose of Kerry Washington’s magic in the ABC hit series, Scandal, in her role as Capitol Hill’s leading lady and political fixer.

06
Mammy

Hattie McDaniel made history after becoming the first African-American to take home an Academy Award for her role in the 1939 film, Gone with the Wind.

Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images
07
Billie Holiday

Already a world-renowned singer, Diana Ross made a major impact on the movie industry for her role in Lady Sings the Blues; she scored a ‘Best Actress’ Academy Award nomination for the part.

08
Carmen Jones

Hollywood icon, Dorothy Dandrige received an Academy Award nomination in 1954 for her role as a seductive factory worker in the film Carmen Jones.

09
Claire Huxtable

She’s the TV mama we all wish we had—Phylicia Rashad captivated our hearts in The Cosby Show.

10
Effie White

Jennifer Hudson may have found fame on American Idol, but her role in Dreamgirls— the film adaptation of the masterful Broadway play of the same name—scored her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

11
Rachel Marron

Already a global music phenomenon, Grammy-winner Whitney Houston made all of Hollywood stop, look and listen when she starred as Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard.

Fotos International/Getty Images
12
Joan Clayton

Daughter of Hollywood superstar, Ms. Diana Ross, Tracee Ellis Ross paved her own way to fame in her iconic Girlfriends role, cementing her as a household name. 

13
Celie

Whoopi Goldberg was dynamic in the film adaptation of Alice Walker’s literary masterpiece, The Color Purple.

Warner Brothers/Getty Images
14
Annalise Keating

Viola Davis may have starred in Antwone Fisher, Doubt and The Help but it was her role as the dynamic esquire and professor of law in How to Get Away with Murder that scored her an Emmy.

Getty Images
15
Julia Baker

In 1968, Diahann Carroll became iconic for her role in the Primetime series Julia as she became the first African-American actress to star in a non-stereotypical role in a sitcom.

NBC Television/Courtesy of Getty Images
16
Patsey

January cover star,  Lupita Nyong’o made her first wave in Hollywood after starring in the 2013 drama film, 12 Years a Slave; a role which earned her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

17
Foxy Brown

Pam Grier’s role in the 1974 movie Foxie Brown catapulted her into stardom and still stands as a testament of almighty girl power.

18
Precious and Mary Jones

The 2009 film Precious served as Gabourey Sidibe’s cinematic debut, and earned her and Mo’Nique an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

19
Jane Pittman

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman lead award-winning actress Cicely Tyson, to her first Emmy win for Actress of the Year and a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie.

Courtesy of CBS Television
20
Oda Mae Brown

The 1990 film Ghost earned Whoopi Golberg an Oscar win for Best Supporting Actress along with a BAFTA, and Golden Globe.

21
Gina Waters-Payne

Tischa Campbell-Martin had a role in School Daze and the House Party franchise, but her role in the 90s sitcom Martin made her a household name.

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