Grab some popcorn and spend a few hours with these African-American actors and actresses who have been nominated for Academy Awards.
Angela Bassett, nominated 1993, Best Actress for What’s Love Got to Do WIth It?
Halle Berry, won 2001, Best Actress for Monster’s Ball; first African-American actress to win in this category
Viola Davis, nominated 2011, Best Actress for The Help; 2007 Best Supporting Actress for Doubt
Ruby Dee, nominated 2007, Best Supporting Actress for American Gangster; oldest African-American actress to be nominated for an Academy Award (83)
Morgan Freeman, nominated 1989, Best Actor for Driving Miss Daisy; 2009 Invictus; Best Supporting Actor 1984 for Street Smart; 2003 won for Million Dollar Baby; oldest African-American actor to win an Academy Award (67)
Whoopi Goldberg, nominated 1985 Best Actress for The Color Purple; won 1990 Best Supporting Actress for Ghost
Louis Gossett, Jr., won 1982 Best Supporting Actor for An Officer and a Gentleman; first African-American actor to win this award
Jennifer Hudson, won 2006 Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Dreamgirls; first African-American actor or actress to win an award for a debut performance; first African-American actress to win for a musical film
James Earl Jones, nominated 1970 Best Actor for The Great White Hope; 2002 presented with an Honorary Award “for his legacy of consistent excellence and uncommon versatility”
Sidney Poitier, nominated 1958 Best Actor for The Defiant Ones; won 1963 for Lilies of the Field; youngest African-American actor to win in this category (37); 2002 presented with an Honorary Award “for his extraordinary performances and unique presence on the screen and for representing the industry with dignity, style and intelligence”
Denzel Washington, nominated 1992 Best Actor for Malcolm X; won 2001 for Training Day; nominated 1987 Best Supporting Actor for Cry Freedom; won 1989 for Glory