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History has shown us how important it is to listen to black leaders. In the past few months, we’ve seen changes in every industry and institution in response to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Black creatives in Hollywood are stepping forward to address the racism that exists in Hollywood. From less publicity to smaller paychecks, black actors face a different reality than white actors.
Learn about eight black actors who are changing the landscape of Hollywood and the film industry itself.
The Richest Black Actors of 2021
Who are the richest black actors today? Read on to learn about these ultra-successful individuals.
1. Oprah Winfrey
While Oprah’s massive fortune wasn’t built on acting, alone, she deserves to make the list. As of 2021, Oprah is the richest black woman in the world with a net worth of almost $3 billion!
Of course, much of Oprah’s money comes from her former talk show, her network, and other film and television executive roles she has filled over the years. However, she has appeared in several movies, including The Color Purple (1985), Selma (2014), and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2017). She even voice acted in Disney’s 2009 film, The Princess and the Frog, playing the role of Eudora.
2. Tyler Perry
Like Oprah, Tyler Perry’s $600 million fortune does not come from acting, alone. He is best known for his television show, House of Payne, as well as his original films. In fact, much of Perry’s fortune comes from the partnership he struck up with Oprah Winfrey!
That being said, Perry has starred in several of his own films, most notably the Madea movies that span from 2005 to the present. We first saw the arrival of this character in Diary of a Mad Black Woman. However, Madea saw a number of spin-offs including Madea’s Family Reunion (2006) and Madea’s Big Happy Family (2011).
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3. Will Smith
Will Smith began accumulating fame and his current $350 million net worth back in the 1980s as a rapper, going by the artist name, The Fresh Prince. We, of course, saw the rise of this persona in the beloved 1990-1996 sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. From that point on, Smith was known more as an actor than a rapper, though he continued making well-received music for years.
Smith is considered a big asset in Hollywood, as almost all of his films rake in massive box office receipts. Two of his biggest films were Men In Black (1997), and I Am Legend (2007).
4. Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman, currently worth $250 million, has had a long career in acting. He began on the stage as a child, making a few movies between the 1960s and 1970s. Then, his career hit a bit of a lull until 1987, when he appeared in the movie, Street Smart, and received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
After that, Freeman’s career blossomed. He is now known for blockbuster hits like The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Million Dollar Baby (2004), and Invictus (2009).
5. Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson has accumulated about $220 million as an actor and in 2011, became the highest all-time box office star. In other words, if Jackson’s in a movie, people are paying big bucks to see it!
Jackson has been acting since the 1970s, most notably appearing as Jedi Master Mace Windu in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977). Though his filmography is too long to list, he is perhaps known most for his relationship with Quentin Tarantino. Jackson has appeared in 6 of Tarantino’s 10 movies, including Pulp Fiction (1994) and The Hateful Eight (2015).
6. Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington is currently worth about $220 million. He has received numerous awards, including two Golden Globes, a Tony, and two Academy Awards.
Washington is considered one of the best actors of his generation and one of the most well-known names in America. He is best known for his appearance in period pieces or historical films, including Fences (2016), Malcolm X (1992), and Remember the Titans (2000).
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7. Halle Berry
With the exception of Oprah Winfrey, there’s a fairly large discretion between the wealth accumulated by black men in film and black women in film. Halle Berry is one of the richest black female actors, and her net worth is about $70 million.
In 2001, Berry won the Academy Award for Best Actress after her role in Monster’s Ball. She is the only black woman ever to win the award. She has also appeared in multiple X-men movies, Cloud Atlas (2012), and Things We Lost in the Fire (2007), and much more.
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8. Queen Latifah
Like Will Smith, Queen Latifah’s $65 million fortune has come from both her acting and her music. Her 1989 debut album, All Hail the Queen, brought her into the spotlight alongside her starring role in the hit sitcom, Living Single, which aired from 1993 to 1998.
Queen Latifah has appeared in a number of incredible films, including Taxi (2004), Beauty Shop (2005), and the 2007 musical remake of Hairspray. From 2013 to 2015, she hosted the CBS talk show, The Queen Latifah Show, and her portrayal of blues singer Bessie Smith in the 2015 HBO film, Bessie, won her critical acclaim.
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Celebrate the Richest Black Actors of the 21st Century
While we still have a long way to go, we should never stop fighting for progress. When we strive for equality, we make society more livable for all.
While it’s critical to work toward repairing the systemic and societal problems of today, it’s also important to celebrate the notable milestones achieved by the richest black actors of today.
Of course, I’d also recommend that you go binge watch their films. After all, they are extremely well compensated for a reason!