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Home · News

10 Black Actors Who Should've Won An Oscar

10 Black Actors Who Should've Won An Oscar
By · March 4, 2010October 29, 2020
01
Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett



Dynamic Duo: Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett


Playing: Ike Turner and Anna Mae Bullock/Tina Turner


Raw Emotion In: What’s Love Got to Do with It (1993)

You Better Recognize: The final confrontation between Ike and Tina, at which point Tina finally fights back.

02
Samuel L. Jackson

The Man: Samuel L. Jackson

Playing: Carl Lee Hailey

At His Best In: A Time to Kill (1996)

You Better Recognize: After killing his daughter’s rapist in the middle of the court room, Carl gets real gangsta on the stand, stating with a southern twang, "Yes they deserve to die, and I hope they burn in hell.

03
Derek Luke

Hats Off To: Derek Luke

Playing: Antwone Fisher

Told a Real Story In: Antwone Fisher (2002)

You Better Recognize: In the scene at the front door of his foster mother’s home, with conviction in his voice he emotionally proclaims, “I’m still standing, I’m still strong.”

04
Michael Clark Duncan

We Applaud: Michael Clark Duncan

Playing: Tired John Coffey

A Gentle Giant In: The Green Mile (1999)

You Better Recognize: Our eyes watered as he told Paul (Tom Hanks) he’s ready to go because he’s “rightfully tired of the pain” he had to face in the world.

05
Viola Davis

Hats Off To: Viola Davis
Playing: Mrs. Miller
Slow but Steady Role In: Doubt (2008)
You Better Recognize: As the unsettling voice of morality, Davis managed to steal the spotlight from Meryl Streep with just two scenes.

06
Djimon Hounsou

The Unknown: Djimon Hounsou
Playing: Cinque

Made Us Realize Harsh Realities In:Amistad (1997)

You Better Recognize:It only took four words, “Give us, us free.”

07
Michael Wright

Never Forgot: Michael Wright
Playing: Eddie Caine
The Black Classic: The Five Heartbeats (1991)
You Better Recognize: Eddie’s last attempt, with a soiled jacket and a bad perm, to get back into the group; “Nights like this, I wish raindrops would fall-al-al.”

08
Thandie Newton

The Beautiful: Thandie Newton
Playing: Beloved
Brought the Book To Life In: Beloved (1998)
You Better Recognize: Playing any character in this psychologically alluring film would be difficult, but Newton effortlessly gave Beloved a certain mysticism and eeriness.

09
Ving Rhames

The Vigilante: Ving Rhames
Playing: Mann
In The Racially Charged: Rosewood (1997)
You Better Recognize: How hard was it to keep your Caucasian friends after witnessing the Rosewood Massacre through Mann’s eyes?

10
Kimberly Elise

Soul Bearer: Kimberly Elise
Playing: Helen
Wasn’t Playing Games In: Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005)
You Better Recognize: Nevermind that the Academy refuses to recognize Tyler Perry, Elise’s Helen reminded us just how mad we can, and sometimes should, get.

11
Thandie Newton

The Beautiful: Thandie Newton
Playing: Beloved
Brought the Book To Life In: Beloved (1998)
You Better Recognize: Playing any character in this psychologically alluring film would be difficult, but Newton effortlessly gave Beloved a certain mysticism and eeriness.

Read More

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