Male black actors over 60 have played various characters. From politicians and businessmen to detectives and superheroes. They have brought to life some of the most iconic and memorable characters in film history, and their performances have left a lasting impact on audiences globally. Furthermore, some of these men have won multiple awards, showcasing a significant achievement in the film industry. Who are the 20 most famous black male actors over 60? Black male actors have been instrumental in challenging racial stereotypes, paving the way for greater diversity in Hollywood. It would help if you watched some of the most accomplished black actors from the 60s and 70s. Here is a list of the most famous male black actors: Actor Date of birth Denzel Washington 28 December 1954 Morgan Freeman 1 June 1937 Samuel L. Jackson 21 December 1948 Forest Whitaker 15 July 1961 Don Cheadle 29 November 1964 Laurence Fishburne 30 July 1961 James Earl Jones 17 January 1931 Danny Glover 22 July 1946 Clifton Powell 16 March 1956 Delroy Lindo 18 November 1952 Bill Cobbs 16 June 1934 Isaiah Washington 3 August 1963 Sir Lenny Henry 29 August 1958 Cedric the Entertainer 24 April 1964 Kevin Michael Richardson 25 October 1964 Ernie Hudson 17 December 1945 Billy Dee Williams 6 April 1937 Eddie Murphy 3 April 1961 Frankie Faison 10 June 1949 Dennis Haysbert 2 June 1954 1. Denzel Washington – 69 years Denzel Washington at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Photo: @JC Olivera Source: Getty Images Denzel Washington was born on 28 December 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York, United States. He is a two-time Academy Award winner known for his roles in movies like Training Day, Malcolm X, and Fences. Washington remains the only black actor to win two Oscars. 2. Morgan Freeman – 86 years Morgan Freeman was born on 1 June 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. He is an Academy Award winner known for his distinctive voice and memorable roles in movies like The Shawshank Redemption, Driving Miss Daisy, and Million Dollar Baby. 3. Samuel L. Jackson – 75 years Samuel L. Jackson speaks at the 36th Annual Morehouse College “A Candle in the Dark” gala. Samuel L. Jackson was born on 21 December 1948 in Washington, D.C., United States. He is a prolific actor known for his roles in movies like Pulp Fiction, Snakes on a Plane, and the Marvel Universe. Jackson remains the highest-grossing black male actor at the box office ever. 4. Forest Whitaker – 62 years Forest Whitaker at the 96th Annual Oscars. Photo: Rich Polk Source: Getty Images Forest Whitaker was born on 15 July 1961 in Longview, Texas, United States. He is an Academy Award winner known for his roles in movies like The Last King of Scotland, Bird, and Lee Daniels’ The Butler. Whitaker is one of the best black male actors over 60 and 70 you should watch.5. Don Cheadle – 61 years Don Cheadle at Marvel Studios’ “Secret Invasion” launch event at El Capitan Theatre. Photo: Kevin Winter Source: Getty Images Don Cheadle was born on 29 November 1964 in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. He is an Academy Award nominee known for his roles in movies like Hotel Rwanda, Crash, and Iron Man 2. 6. Laurence Fishburne – 62 years Laurence Fishburne was born on 30 July 1961 in Augusta, Georgia, United States. He is known for his roles in movies like The Matrix, Boyz n the Hood, and What’s Love Got to Do with It, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. 7. James Earl Jones – 93 years James Earl Jones is the most distinguished and one of the greatest male actors ever. He was born on 17 January 1931 in Arkabutla, Mississippi, United States. Jones is known for his roles in movies like Star Wars, The Lion King, and Field of Dreams. 8. Danny Glover – 77 years Danny Glover at the Ferrara Film Festival opening ceremony at Apollo Cinepark. Photo: Roberto Serra Source: Getty Images Danny Glover was born on 22 July 1946 in San Francisco, California, United States. He is known for his roles in movies like Mandela, Lethal Weapon, The Color Purple, and Dreamgirls. 9. Clifton Powell – 68 years Clifton Powell was born on 16 March 1956 in Washington, D.C., United States. He is known for playing Jeff Brown in Ray, Pinky in Next Friday, and Cutty in Dead Presidents. Powell also played Rex Fisher in the soap opera Saints & Sinners. 10. Delroy Lindo – 71 years Delroy Lindo at the 5th Annual AAFCA TV Honors. Delroy George Lindo is an English-American actor. He was born on 18 November 1952 in Lewisham, London, United Kingdom. Lindo is known for his roles in movies like The Cider House Rules, Malcolm X, and Get Shorty. 11. Bill Cobbs – 89 years Bill Cobbs at the 28th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards. Photo: Leon Bennett Source: Getty Images Bill Cobbs is one of the most renowned African-American male actors over 60 years old. He was born on 16 June 1934 in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Cobbs has appeared in many movies, including Night at the Museum, The Hudsucker Proxy, and Things We Lost in the Fire. READ ALSO What happened to Andrea Evans from One Life to Live show? 12. Isaiah Washington – 61 years Isaiah Washington at the Apple TV+ Original Series “Shantaram” Premiere. Photo: Kevin Winter Source: Getty Images Isaiah Washington IV is an American actor and film producer. He was born on 3 August 1963 in Houston, Texas, United States. Washington is known for his roles in movies like Romeo Must Die, Bulworth, and Get on the Bus. 13. Sir Lenny Henry – 65 years Sir Lenworth George Henry CBE is among the best black male British actors over 60. He was born on 29 August 1958 in Dudley, United Kingdom. He is known for The Lenny Henry Show, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and Three Little Birds. 14. Cedric the Entertainer – 61 years Cedric the Entertainer was born Cedric Antonio Kyles on 24 April 1964 in Jefferson City, Missouri, United States. He is known for playing Reverend Beverly H in Kingdom Come, Clyde Stubbs in Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins, and Reverend Ralph Abernathy in Son of the South. 15. Kevin Michael Richardson – 62 years Kevin Michael Richardson attends a Special Screening of Universal Pictures’ “The Super Mario Bros.” Photo: Kevin Winter Source: Getty Images Kevin Michael Richardson was born on 25 October 1964 in The Bronx, New York, United States. He is an American actor known for his distinctively deep voice and has voiced villainous characters in animation and video games. His voice roles include Goro in Mortal Kombat (1995), Captain Gantu in the Lilo & Stitch franchise, and Kamek in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. 16. Ernie Hudson – 78 years Ernie Hudson at the “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” photocall. Photo: Dave Benett Source: Getty Images Ernie Hudson was born on 17 December 1945 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, United States. He has acted in numerous other films and television shows, including Leviathan, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, The Crow, Airheads, The Basketball Diaries, Congo, Miss Congeniality, and The Ron Clark Story. 17. Billy Dee Williams – 87 years Billy Dee Williams at the European Premiere of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”. Photo: David M. Benett Source: Getty Images Billy Dee Williams was born William December Williams Jr. on 6 April 1937 in New York, New York, United States. He is best known for his role as the roguish Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars films The Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi, and in the latest Star Wars installment, The Rise of Skywalker. 18. Eddie Murphy – 63 years Eddie Murphy is among the most handsome black actors over 60. He was born on 3 April 1961 in Brooklyn, New York, United States. He gained recognition in the 1980s and 1990s for roles in Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, and The Nutty Professor. 19. Frankie Faison – 74 years Frankie Faison was born on 10 June 1949 in Newport News, Virginia, United States. He is known for his roles in various films and TV shows, including Coming to America, Do the Right Thing, and White Chicks. 20. Dennis Haysbert – 69 years Dennis Haysbert at the premiere of “Sidney” held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Photo: Gilbert Flores Source: Getty Images Dennis Haysbert was born on 2 June 1954 in San Mateo, California, United States. One of Haysbert’s most iconic roles is Pedro Cerrano in the Major League film trilogy. He is also well-known for portraying President David Palmer in the hit television series 24. Black male actors over 60 FAQ What are some iconic roles played by black male actors over 60? Some iconic roles played by black male actors include Samuel L. Jackson in Captain America and Morgan Freeman in The Shawshank Redemption. Who was the first black male actor to win an Oscar? The first black male actor to win an Oscar was Sidney Poitier, who won the Best Actor award for his role in the 1963 film Lilies of the Field. Who is the highest-grossing black male actor at the box office? Samuel L. Jackson is the highest-grossing black male actor, with a worldwide box office total of over $16.7 billion. How many Oscars has Morgan Freeman won? Morgan Freeman won one Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film Million Dollar Baby at the 77th Annual Academy Awards in 2005. Which black male actor has won more Oscars? The black male actor who has won the most Oscars is Denzel Washington, who has won two Academy Awards.
by Ryan Mutuku