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Home • Entertainment

12 Actors Who Have Portrayed Iconic Activist Martin Luther King Jr.

By Sydney Scott · Updated October 24, 2020

On April 4, 1968, civil rights leader and icon Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered just one day after delivering his legendary “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” address at Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee. 

On that day, the world lost a revered leader in the fight for equality, but King’s legacy lives on in history and pop culture.

A number of actors, including King’s son Dexter Scott King, have paid homage to the slain hero through pop culture, carrying on his legacy in film.

From David Oyelowo to Courtney B. Vance, here are 12 actors who have portrayed Martin Luther King Jr.

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01
James Earl Jones

The legendary actor portrayed the activist in the 1982 miniseries Freedom to Speak.

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02
LeVar Burton

Burton portrayed King in 2001’s Ali.

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03
Jeffrey Wright

Wright brought King to the screen in the 2001 TV movie Boycott. 

12 Actors Who Have Portrayed Iconic Activist Martin Luther King Jr.

Albert L. Ortega/Getty images

04
Nelsan Ellis

The late actor played King in Lee Daniels’ The Butler. 

12 Actors Who Have Portrayed Iconic Activist Martin Luther King Jr.
05
Dexter Scott King

King’s son portrayed his father in 2002’s The Rosa Parks Story.

12 Actors Who Have Portrayed Iconic Activist Martin Luther King Jr.

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06
Clone of Robert Guillaume Dead at 89

Guillaume, who passed away in October, played King in 1985’s Prince Jack.

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07
Clone of David Oyelowo

Oyelowo received praise for his portrayal of King in Ava DuVernay’s Selma. 

12 Actors Who Have Portrayed Iconic Activist Martin Luther King Jr.

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08
Samuel L. Jackson
The legendary actor celebrates his birthday on December 21.
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09
Courtney B. Vance

Vance played King in the TV miniseries Parting the Waters.

12 Actors Who Have Portrayed Iconic Activist Martin Luther King Jr.

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10
Malik Yoba

Yoba played the iconic activist in 2013’s Betty & Coretta. 

12 Actors Who Have Portrayed Iconic Activist Martin Luther King Jr.

Pacific Press/Getty Images

11
Clifton Powell

Powell portrayed King in ABC’s Selma, Lord, Selma.

12 Actors Who Have Portrayed Iconic Activist Martin Luther King Jr.

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12
paul winfield

The late actor portrayed King in NBC’s Emmy-winning three-part series King. 

12 Actors Who Have Portrayed Iconic Activist Martin Luther King Jr.

Jim Smeal/Getty Images