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Home · Celebrity

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners

In the Academy's 94-year history, far too few Oscars have been given to Black actors and directors. Big nominations and even bigger wins in recent years are shifting the standard.
The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage
By Yolanda Sangweni · Updated March 30, 2022

Though tides are slowly and steadily changing, the historical lack of diversity at the Academy Awards has our attention. Despite owning killer roles, writing and directing inspiring stories, and crafting the sounds that compliment the action, Black talent has often gone unrecognized and underappreciated.

In the Academy’s 94-year history, only a small fraction Oscars have been given to Black actors and actresses, with even fewer awarded in writing and directing. 

In recent years, big wins for Black Hollywood legends like Regina King and Spike Lee, and relative newcomers like Daniel Kaluuya has signified what may be a promising shift toward increased diversity in nominations. 

From Hattie McDaniel to Regina King, here’s a look at the Black history that has been made at the Academy Awards.

This article was updated on March 28, 2022.

01
Will Smith – 2022
Third time was the charm for Will, as he finally took home an Oscar trophy for Best Actor for his leading role in King Richard after two prior nominations.
The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
02
Ariana DeBose – 2022
In a historic win, DeBose became the first openly queer, Afro-Latina actress to win in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role as Anita in West Side Story.
The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
03
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson
His first nomination and first win, the iconic DJ won for Best Documentary Feature for Summer of Soul.
The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
04
Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson was presented with an honorary Academy Award by Denzel Washington at the 2022 Governors Awards in Los Angeles on March 25.
The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
05
Daniel Kaluuya – 2021
Daniel Kaluuya took home the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his moving portrayal of Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah.
The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
06
Tyler Perry – 2021
Tyler Perry accepted a special award for his outstanding contributions to humanitarian causes in 2021.
The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
07
H.E.R. – 2021
The songstress won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Fight for You” from Judas and the Black Messiah, adding to the critically acclaimed drama’s list of awards that evening.
The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
08
Travon Free – 2021
Travon took home Oscar gold for Best Live Action Short Film for Two Distant Strangers, a short that examines the harsh reality of Black mens’ police encounters, starring Joey Badass.
The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
09
Jon Batiste – 2021
The singer and musician won an Oscar statue for his work on Disney’s Soul, the Best Original Score.
The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
10
Matthew A. Cherry and Karen Rupert Toliver – 2020
This duo followed in Kobe Bryant’s big footsteps, winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for their adorable (and tear-jerking) short Hair Love, narrated by Issa Rae.
The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
11
Spike Lee – 2019
Spike Lee won his first-ever Oscar (can you believe it?) for his screenwriting work on BlacKKKlansman, winning Best Adapted Screenplay at the 91st Annual ceremony. We’re still patiently waiting for his prolific direction to be recognized…and last year’s complete snub of Da 5 Bloods was not exactly a step in the right direction.
The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
12
Regina King – 2018
Regina King won her first-ever Oscar award for Best Supporting Actress thanks to her role in If Beale Street Could Talk.
The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images
13
Mahershala Ali – 2016, 2018
In the face of Donald Trump’s proposed Muslim ban, Mahershala Ali became the first man of Islamic faith to win an Academy Award, snagging Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Moonlight.

He also won Best Supporting Actor in 2018 for his role in the controversial film, Green Book.
The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images
14
Kobe Bryant – 2018
Kobe Bryant became the first professional athlete to win an Oscar for his film, “Dear Basketball.” It took home the trophy for Best Animated Short.
The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
ANGELA WEISS/Getty Images
15
Jordan Peele – 2018
Jordan Peele nabbed his golden trophy for Best Original Screenplay thanks to his thriller “Get Out,” becoming the first Black person to do so.
The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
FREDERIC J. BROWN/Getty Images
16
Tarell Alvin McCraney and Barry Jenkins – 2017
Screenwriter Tarell Alvin McCraney and writer/director Barry Jenkins took home Oscar gold for their moving examination of Black manhood, masculinity, and love, Moonlight. Despite the night’s major memorable hiccup – the wrong winner being called – their critically acclaimed film won Best Picture at the 2017 ceremony.
The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
17
Viola Davis – 2017

 

Davis is the first Black actress to score three Oscar nods. She won Best Supporting Actress for Fences.

 

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
18
Common & John Legend – 2015

Common and John Legend earned an Oscar for Best Original Song for “Glory” from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. biopic, Selma.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
Steve Granitz/WireImage
19
Lupita Nyong’o – 2013

Lupita Nyong’o earned the Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role award for 12 Years a Slave at the 2014 Oscars. “No matter where you are from, your dreams are valid,” Nyong’o said in her moving acceptance speech.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
20
Steve McQueen – 2013

McQueen made history as the first Black producer to win Best Motion Picture for Twelve Years A Slave.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
Steve Granitz/WireImage
21
John Ridley – 2013

Ridley became the second African-American to win in the Best Adapted Screenplay category for the movie 12 Years a Slave, adapted from the memoir Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
22
Octavia Spencer – 2012

Octavia Spencer is the fifth Black actress to win in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role as Minnie Jackson in the film The Help. “I share this with everyone,” said an emotional Spencer during her acceptance speech.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
23
T. J. Martin – 2012

T.J. Martin (middle) became the first African-American to win an Oscar for Best Documentary in 2012 for Undefeated, a documentary he co-directed about the Manassas Tigers football team of Memphis.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
Getty
24
Roger Ross Williams – 2010

Williams was the first Black person to win Best Documentary Short Subject for the 2009 documentary “Music By Prudence.”

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
Steve Granitz/WireImage
25
Mo’Nique – 2009

Comedienne Mo’Nique won the Best Supporting Actress category for her role as Mary Lee Johnston in the critically acclaimed film Precious. She dedicated her win to actress Hattie McDaniel, the first Black person ever to win an Oscar.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
26
Geoffrey Fletcher – 2009

Screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher became the first African-American to win in the Best Adapted Screenplay category for the film Precious, adapted from the novel “Push” by Sapphire.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
27
Forest Whitaker – 2006

Whitaker took home a Best Actor award for his role as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the biopic The Last King of Scotland.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
28
Jennifer Hudson – 2006

Hudson’s big-screen debut as Effie White in Dreamgirls earned her a Best Supporting Actress award. The Oscar win was the first for a Black actress in a musical film.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
29
Three 6 Mafia – 2005

The trio made history in 2005 when they became the first rappers to win an Academy Award for the song “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” from the movie Hustle & Flow.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
Getty
30
Morgan Freeman – 2004

Freeman won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role as Eddie “Scrap-Iron” Dupris in the boxing movie Million Dollar Baby. Sixty-seven at the time of his win, Freeman is the oldest Black actor to earn the award.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
31
Jamie Foxx – 2004

Foxx’s portrayal of R&B icon Ray Charles in the biopic Ray earned him a Best Actor award in 2005. The honor made him the first Black actor to win for a musical.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
32
Denzel Washington – 2002 and 1989

The seasoned actor is the only Black actor to boast two Academy Awards. His first win was for Best Supporting Actor in 1989 for Glory. His second was for Best Actor for his role as corrupt detective Alonzo Harris in the 2001 cop drama Training Day.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
33
Halle Berry – 2001

Berry continues to be the only Black actress to take home the Best Actress award for her role as Leticia Musgrove in the 2001 film Monster’s Ball.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
34
Cuba Gooding Jr. – 1996

As 29, Gooding Jr. became the youngest Black actor to win Best Supporting Actor, for his role as football player Rod Tidwell in Jerry Maguire.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
35
Whoopi Goldberg – 1991

The second Black actress to win the award, Goldberg won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Oda Mae Brown in the 1990 classic Ghost.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
36
Russell Williams – 1989, 1990

Williams is a two-time Oscar winner in the Best Sound category for Glory (1989) and Dances with Wolves (1990).

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
Getty
37
Willie D. Burton – 1988

Burton became the first African-American person to win for Best Sound in 1988. He won again in 2006 for Dreamgirls.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
Getty
38
Herbie Hancock – 1987

Hancock was the first Black victor to take home an Oscar for Best Original Score for the American-French musical drama film “Round Midnight.”

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
39
Lionel Richie – 1985

Lionel Richie won an Oscar in 1985 for the song “Say You, Say Me” from the movie White Nights.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
40
Prince – 1984

The one and only Prince was the first Black winner of Best Original Song Score (which is different from Best Original Score category) for Purple Rain; this category was retired afterwards.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
41
Stevie Wonder – 1984

The iconic musician won an Oscar for “I Just Called to Say I Love You” from the movie, The Woman in Red.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
John Sciulli/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards
42
Irene Cara – 1983

Cara won an Oscar for the song “What a Feeling” from the movie Flashdance, making her the first African-American woman to win a non-acting Academy Award. She shared the award with composer Giorgio Moroder and co-lyricist Keith Forsey.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
Barry King/ Getty
43
Louis Gossett Jr. – 1982

Gossett Jr. was the first Black actor to win a Best Supporting Actor award, for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) opposite Richard Gere.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
44
Isaac Hayes – 1972

Hayes was the first Black winner for Best Original Song for—a tune that we still love today—”Shaft.” Notably, he was also the first Black winner for any award other than in the acting categories

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
45
Sidney Poitier – 1963

Poitier was first Black actor to win a Best Actor award for his role as Horner Smith in the 1963 classic Lillies of the Field. Poitier also received a Lifetime Achievement Academy Award in 2002.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
46
Hattie McDaniel – 1940

McDaniel was the first African-American to win an Oscar, and the first Black actress to win Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind (1939). Back then Best Supporting Actresses were awarded plaques, not statuettes.

The Ever-Growing List Of Black Oscar Winners
TOPICS:  barry jenkins Daniel Kaluuya h.e.r. Halle Berry Viola Davis
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