Hollywood has always became a hospitable place for all cultures. As long as someone has talent, and sometimes beauty, he/she can be success in American showbiz, no matter if he/she came from Asia, Africa, Europe, or Australia. You can see the proof by the many African-American actresses in Hollywood, which some of them are very famous, namely Halle Berry, Whoopi Goldberg, Jada Pinkett-Smith, or Rosario Dawson.
Unfortunately, there are not many black women that starred in US television series, whether it’s for the lead role or side role. Most of them only appeared as guest stars in one or two episodes of a TV show. Below are some of the rare few black actresses who got a noticeable appearances from TV series:
1. Gabrielle Union
Born: October 29, 1972 in Nebraska
TV Series: City of Angels (as Dr. Courtney Ellis), Night Stalker (as Perri Reed), FlashForward (as Zoey Andata)
Although she plays parts that are opinionated and strong, Gabrielle believes that, “Hollywood needs to recognize all shades of African-American beauty”. She is mostly known for her role in big screen, but she also guest starred many TV series, such as Army Wives, Ugly Betty, Family Guy, The West Wing, Friends, and ER.
2. Stacey Dash
Born: January 20, 1966 in New York
TV Series: Clueless (as Dee), The Game (as Chamile), Single Ladies (as Valerie Stokes)
She is of Bajan, African American, and Mexican descent,with “clear green” eyes. After starred in Clueless (1996-1999), she just got another lead role in TV series in her mid 40s, when she plays Val Stokes in the current airing Single Ladies.
3. Meagan Good
Born: August 8, 1981 in LA
TV Series: Cousin Skeeter (as Nina), Raising Dad (as Katie), The Game (as Parker)
According to Good, her maternal grandmother is “Jewish and African, so I guess that would be considered Creole. My mother’s father was Cherokee and something else. My dad’s mother’s Puerto Rican and African American, and his father was from Barbados.”
4. Queen Latifah
Born: March 18, 1970 in New Jersey
TV Series: Living Single (as Khadijah James), Spin City (as Robin Jones)
Both African American and Native American descent,she won different awards given by Golden Globe award, Grammy and Academy award nomination. She is a multi-talented as a singer-rapper, actress, and comedian.
5. Angela Bassett
Born: August 16, 1958 in New York City
TV Series: ER (as Dr. Cate Banfield), Alias (as CIA Director Hayden Chase)
She has become well-known for her biographical film roles portraying real life women in African American culture, including singer Tina Turner in the motion picture What’s Love Got to Do with It, as well as Betty Shabazz in the films Malcolm X and Panther, Rosa Parks in the The Rosa Parks Story, Katherine Jackson in the miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream and Voletta Wallace in the film Notorious.
6. Tawny Cypress
Born: August 8, 1976 in New Jersey
TV Series: K-Ville (as Ginger LeBeau), Heroes (as Simone Deveaux)
Her mother is of Hungarian and German extraction and her father is of African-American and Native American ancestry.
8. Vivica A. Fox
Born: July 30, 1964 in Indiana
TV Series: Days of Our Lives (as Carmen Silva), City of Angels (as Dr. Lillian Price), 1-800-Missing (as FBI Agent Nicole Scott)
She is of African American and Native American descent and proud of her heritage. She is admitted as one of the most successful black actresses, and also one of the most beautiful of them.
So, how do you like those African-American actresses? Black women have their own appeal and charm. If you’re interested, you can find a African black women date. There are over 1000 beautiful African girls for you to choose, who knows if you even gonna meet your love of a lifetime there.
Other TV Series Actresses:
- New TV Series (and Actresses) for 2012-2013 Season
- Beautiful Female Chefs from TV’s Cooking Shows
- Top 7 Most Popular TV Series
- DISH Network Satellite TV
- Actresses from 13 Witches Web Series