Seen On: Blacula (1972)
Character: Mamuwalde/Blacula
Marshall held the title role in one of the first blaxploitation horror films, which speaks on the evils of racism.
Seen On: Blacula (1972)
Character: Luva/Tina
In this film the late McGhee plays the wife of a vampire who dies in captivity and comes back as a vampire years later when her coffin is opened.
Seen On: Ganja and Hess (1973)
Character: Dr. Hess Green
This throwback revolves around an archaeologist who becomes a vampire after being stabbed with an ancient dagger.
Seen On: Ganja and Hess (1973)
Character: Ganja
Clark plays the love interest of Dr. Green, who later discovers that he is a vampire.
Eddie Murphy
Seen On: Vampire in Brooklyn (1995)
Character: Maxamillion
Murphy gives his comedic take on being an arrogant vampire who always keeps his eyes on the prey.
Seen On: Vamp (1986)
Character: Katrina
A nightclub filled with vampires seduces two college students into staying up all night.
Seen On: Queen of the Damned (2002)
Character: Queen Akasha
The late Aaliyah played the ancient temptress who struggled to reclaim her king and her rightful throne beside him by any means necessary.
Seen On: Twilight
Character: Laurent
The actor who has said he loves to play characters that are least like himself has starred in both the first and second installments of the “Twilight” saga.
Seen On: Blade (1998)
Character: Eric “Blade” Brooks
Born to a human mother who was bitten and killed by a vampire while pregnant, Snipes fights off his own kind to avenge her death.
Seen On: Blade (2006)
Character: Eric “Blade” Brooks
The rapper turned actor, formerly of Onyx, took Wesley Snipes’ movie role and brought it to the small screen.
Seen On: Interview with a Vampire (1994)
Character: Yvette
Interview with a Vampire is based on the 1976 novel of the same name. Newton joined the all-star cast as a newcomer to the biz.
Seen On: Moonlight (2007-2008)
Character: Lt. Carl Davis
Ordered to serve and protect, White’s character is a close friend of Mick, one of the oldest and most kind vampires portrayed on the big screen.
Seen On: True Blood (2008-2010)
Character: Tara Thornton
Wesley, who also starred in the dance flick “How She Move,” does an excellent job portraying Tara, the strong yet very vulnerable character. Catch her as she frequently finds herself in conflicts with most of the residents of Bon Temps.
The late actor played King in Lee Daniels’ The Butler.
Seen On: True Blood (2008-2010)
Character: Lettie Mae Thornton
Porter play the character Tara’s abusive, alcoholic, neglectful mother on the hit series.
Seen On: True Blood (2008-2010)
Character: You may recognize him from the CW’s show, “The Game,” but on “True Blood” he played the boyfriend of Tara Thornton until killed off at the end of the second season.
Seen On: Vampire Diaries (2009-2010)
Character: Bonnie Bennett
The captivating beauty Graham plays the role as a witch that possesses psychic abilities. When she touches people on their arm or hand, she gets a vision about the past.
Seen On: Blade (1998)
Character: Vanessa Brooks
The mother of Wesley Snipes’ character “Blade,” Lathan also went on to continue her role in subsequent TV series in 2006.
Will Smith has hopped on the vampire bandwagon. The mega movie star has confirmed he will star and produce the new vampire film “Legend of Cain.” The movie will tell the biblical tale of Cain and Able, this time with a vampire spin. Smith will play the lead of the jealous vampire Cain, who is the world’s first murderer.
With films like “Twilight” becoming blockbuster hits, and addictive shows like “True Blood” drawing the highest ratings week after week, it is safe to say that Americans have a thing for vampires. Will Smith isn’t the first African-American blood sucker. Take a look at other Black actors who have donned the cape and fangs…
