30 Iconic Black Actresses Over 50 You Need to See
30 Iconic Black Actresses Over 50 You Need to See
Some Black female actresses over 50 have shown us that talent and success don’t depend on age and the color of your skin.
As the movie and TV industry thrives, many black actresses over 50 still work hard to show their skills, talent, and experiences to young faces.
They have given some powerful performances in different genres of films in their youth, but their roles are still alive in the hearts of their fans.
This article pays homage to the top 30 dark-skinned actresses over 50 who still continue to shine because of their beauty, grace, and talent.
Black Actresses Over 50 who Are Still Thriving
Below we have listed the top dark-skinned actresses above 50 who have proven time and time again that age is just a societal norm. They’re still active in their 50s, showing them rocking the screens with their fabulous acting.
1. Aisha Tyler
Aisha Tyler has worked in numerous films and TV shows. At one point in her career, she also hosted a talk show known as ‘The Talk‘. Her roles in TV shows such as Ghost Whisperer, Criminal Minds and Friends are still acclaimed.
2. Angela Robinson
Angela Robinson looks pretty young for her age. She has appeared in different TV shows, but her most famous role was in a soap opera called ‘The Haves and Have Not,’ which aired from 2013 to 2021.
3. Cassi Davis
Cassi Davis is an American actress who has starred in different projects under the direction of Tyler Perry. Her most popular appearance is in the TV show, House of Paynes.
4. Cynthia Bailey
Working as a model, reality TV personality and actress, Cynthia Bailey is a role model for many Black actresses. Her most recent project was a movie called Cruel Instruction (2022). Her appearance in the reality TV show, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, made her quite famous in the industry.
5. Garcelle Beauvais
Garcelle Beauvais is known for her roles in sitcom, The Jamie Foxx Show. There has been news about her starring in the new season of the reality TV series, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. She always has a graceful personality and charm that many people wish for.
6. Halle Berry
Halle Berry started her career as a model and appeared in several beauty pageants. She was awarded as the first runner-up as Miss USA in 1986.
After a while, she started her acting career and starred in movies like Catwoman and John Wick. She is the first ever African American actress who was awarded the ‘Academy Award’ for Best Actress.
7. Jada Pinkett Smith
Being named one of the 100 most influential people in the world, Jada Smith is a Daytime Emmy award winner.
She is also a co-host of the Facebook Watch talk show, Red Table Talk. She has always worked hard to make a name for herself in the acting industry, and it seems like she has succeeded.
8. Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson is a woman of many talents. Not only is she a great actress, but she is an exceptional singer and songwriter too. She is famous for her role in the movie Poetic Justice. Apart from acting and singing, she can dance well.
9. Kimberly Elise
Kimberly Elise debuted in a feature film called Set It Off in 1996. But she got critical acclaim for her role in the movie Beloved in 1998. She is a great actress with more opportunities to show off her skills.
10. Lisa Bonet
Lisa Bonet is an American actress who got viewers under her spell due to her role in The Cosby Show. She has a certain effect on people because of her enchanting eyes and perfectly messy hair.
11. Malinda Williams
Malinda Williams is known for her role in High School High (1996) and First Sunday (2008). She also works as a producer. She is active on social media and keeps her fans updated about her life.
12. Monica Calhoun
Monica Calhoun is an Emmy-nominated actress who has worked in various TV shows and films. She is mostly known for her roles in films like A Bagdad Cafe, The Best Man and The Best Man Holiday.
13. Mo’Nique
Talking about some of the most successful Black celebs over 50, we can never miss the talented and sweet Mo’Nique.
Mo’Nique has received Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild Award. She is still using her talent as an actress and comedian to make the Black community proud.
14. Nia Long
Actress Nia Long has such a classy personality that no one can deny. She is considered as an A-list actress because of her roles in many well-known films and TV shows.
15. Niecy Nash
Curly-haired black celebrity Niecy Nash began her acting career in the 1990s; since then, she has worked in several TV shows and films. She is famous for her roles in Reno 911! (2003) and Claws(2017).
16. Octavia Spencer
Octavia Spencer holds the record for the first Black woman to get two consecutive Oscar nominations.
She is a winner of an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award and a Golden Globe Award. She acted in different roles for various TV shows and movies. People love her for the versatility that her acting holds.
17. Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah isn’t just an actress but also a great singer and rapper. She was casted in Taxi (2004). Last Holiday (2006) and Girls Trip (2017).
18. Regina Hall
Regina Hall started getting praise for her acting when she started acting in the film series Scary Movie. She is a talented actress who can still act in various roles even in her 50s because of her young-looking face.
19. Regina King
Regina King is an Academy, Golden Globe and four-time Emmy Award winner. She was named as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine in 2019. She has a classy and elegant personality that draws everyone towards her.
20. Robin Givens
Robin’s most famous project is the television series Head of the Class which started in 1986 and ended in 1991. She was mostly in the news when she married a famous boxer Mike Tyson in 1988 and later divorced in 1989.
21. Sanaa Lathan
Sanaa Lathan is an American actress who has appeared in shows like NYPD Blue, In the House and Family Matters. She also played the role of Lisa in the TV series Succession.
22. Sheree Whitfield
Sheree Whitfield was casted in the reality TV show The Real House Wives of Atlanta. Nowadays, she is getting ready for the reunion of the show. She also works as a model, fashion designer and executive producer.
23. Sophie Okonedo
Sophie Okonedo is a British actress known for her roles in Hotel Rwanda(2004) and Death of the Nile(2022).
Because of her amazing talent and services to art, she has been awarded Officer of the Order of British in 2010 and Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2019.
24. Stacey Dash
Stacey Dash is the main lead for the comedy TV series Clueless(1995). She also appeared in Single Ladies(2011-2015). Stacey Dash hasn’t acted in anything since 2018. Her fans are curious to know about her next project.
25. Taraji P. Henson
The wonderful Taraji P. Henson made her breakthrough in Baby Boy(2001) after working as a guest actor in many shows and movies.
She was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and won a Golden Globe Award for the best actress for the television series Empire.
26. Terri J. Vaughn
Terri J. Vaughn is an American actress who received praise and numerous awards for her role in The Steve Harvey Show. Terri is a director and producer too. Her beautiful smile is enough to make anyone’s heart melt.
27. Traci Bingham
Starting her career in the 1990s, Traci Bingham became famous for her role in the action TV series Baywatch. She has also modeled for various magazines and done some talk shows too.
28. Vanessa Williams
Vanessa Williams was the first African American woman to get the Miss America title in 1984 but resigned due to some controversies. She then started her career in acting and singing. She starred in Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives and collected a lot of praise for her roles in them.
29. Viola Davis
Viola Davis is one of the few black actresses who are an EGOT winner, meaning she is an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award winner.
She is the only African-American woman with all the biggest acting awards. She has starred in numerous TV shows and movies. People love her role in How to Get Away with Murder.
30. Vivica A. Fox
Vivica A. Fox has worked in movies including Independence Day, Kill Bill and Two Can Play That Game. She is an African-American woman with Native American Descent.
In this article, we have mentioned some of the most influential Black female actresses who do not let their age define their talents and achievements. The influence of these Black actresses over 50 will make a mark on the next generation of Black actresses and inspire them to do bigger things.