The 50 Hottest Black Actresses of All Time

A tribute to some of the most beautiful (and underappreciated) women in film and TV.

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Complex Original

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February is Black History Month, a time to honor the social and political equality granted to African Americans, due in part to the work of revolutionaries like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X.

Film was a particularly difficult industry for black actors to break into. Hattie McDaniel was the first black actress to ever win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1939, for playing Mammy in Gone with the Wind, opening the door for more black women to appear in prominent roles in film. Specifically for screenings in the 1940s South, where a black actress couldn’t play anything but a servant on screen, beautiful women like Lena Horne were given roles that were expendable, able to easily be cut out of films without affecting the plot. Eventually, movies would reflect the real-life improvements in race relations, leading to Halle Berry becoming the first black woman to win a Best Actress Oscar in 2001.

Although they deserve to be recognized every day, this month is the perfect time to appreciate these stunning, game-changing goddesses from movies and TV. From the legendary pioneers to the burgeoning ingenues, these are The 50 Hottest Black Actresses of All Time

RELATED: The 50 Most Infamous Actresses of All Time
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50. Regina Hall

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Most Memorable Role: Brenda Meeks in Scary Movie 1-4 (2000-2006)
 
Regina's most known role, Brenda in the Scary Movie franchise, somehow survived stabbings and fatal curses from creepy girls crawling out of TVs. She won't be in the upcoming Scary Movie 5, and yet for her one-liners, Brenda will live on as our favorite scream queen.

49. Robin Givens

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Most Memorable Role: Darlene Merriman on Head of the Class

To many, Robin Givens is infamous for her tumultuous marriage to Mike Tyson. But any pop culture aficionado will also know Givens for playing the gorgeous overachieving Darlene in the ABC sitcom Head of the Class.

48. Ruby Dee

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Most Memorable Role: Ruth Younger in A Raisin in the Sun (1961)

As Sidney Poitier's wife in A Raisin in the Sun, Ruby Dee brings a grace that balances out Poitier's restless performance. Since then, she's been the voice of wisdom in Do the Right Thing and American Gangster.

47. Viola Davis

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Most Memorable Role: Aibileen Clark in The Help (2011)

Viola Davis hasn't been a very good supporting actress, because she ended up stealing the show in the Oscar-nominated dramas Doubt and The Help. Just ask Amy Adams and Emma Stone.

46. Cicely Tyson

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Most Memorable Role: Rebecca Morgan in Sounder (1972)

Never mind that Cicely Tyson was first discovered as a model, she earned her legendary status with raw acting in Sounder, which earned her an Oscar nomination, and the TV miniseries Roots. In case any actress wants to take notes, there’s even a Cicely Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts in New Jersey.

45. Brandy

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Most Memorable Role: Moesha on Moesha 

Today, it may be easy to count her out when comparing her to the ubiquitous Beyoncés and Rihannas of the world. But let's not forget that in the mid-'90s, it was Brandy (and her iconic braids) who starred in her own sitcom, Moesha. For more than five years, Brandy captivated audiences as the girl next door who was also street smart.

44. Grace Jones

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Most Memorable Role: Zula in Conan the Destroyer (1984)

There are girls next door, and then there's Grace Jones, whose striking look suggests she may be from another planet. At the peak of her acting career in the '80s, she was the primitive Amazon warrior Zula in Conan the Destroyer, alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger. And playing May Day in the Bond flick A View to a Kill, she was a formidable nemesis to Roger Moore.

43. Diahann Caroll

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Most Memorable Role: Julia on Julia

As the titular character in the groundbreaking sitcom Julia, Diahann Carroll beat the odds (and people's misconceptions), portraying a black single mom who was also a nurse. In the '80s, she squared off against Joan Collins on Dynasty. And at 77 years old today, this legend still has fight in her.

42. Regina King

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Most Memorable Role: Marcee Tidwell in Jerry Maguire (1996)

As Cuba Gooding Jr.'s wife in Jerry Maguire, Regina King had us at hello. Ever since, the prolific actress has starred in Miss Congeniality 2, Ray, and TNT's hit cop drama Southland.

41. Jada Pinkett-Smith

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Most Memorable Roles: Niobe in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

Willow and Jaden Smith didn't inherit their star power from dad Will Smith alone. Some of it came from their mom, a celebrity in her own right who starred in The Matrix series and voices Gloria the hippo in the Madagascar franchise.

40. Diana Ross

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Most Memorable Role: Billie Holiday in Lady Sings the Blues (1972)

Diana Ross is a legend, and with good reason. In addition to being the most prominent stunner of the singing group The Supremes, Ross made a name for herself in Hollywood. For embodying Billie Holiday, Ross earned herself an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

39. Keke Palmer

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Most Memorable Role: True Jackson on True Jackson, VP

While Keke Palmer already garnered buzz starring in Akeelah and the Bee, her career went into overdrive playing the title role in Nickelodeon's True Jackson, VP, a teen who lands a job heading the kids' division of a fashion company. Now that she's 19 years old and grown, Palmer's set to play Chili in VH1's upcoming TLC biopic.

38. Janet Jackson

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Most Memorable Role: Justice in Poetic Justice (1993)

Showcasing her versatility in the comedy Nutty Professor II: The Klumps and the drama Poetic Justice, one of the O.G. princesses of pop music has proven she can be more than just Ms. Jackson (if you're nasty). 

37. Thandie Newton

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Most Memorable Role: Christine in Crash (2004)

In her breakout film, the Oscar Best Picture winner Crash, Thandie Newton is mistaken for a car thief. But with her criminally good looks, the only thing this British actress actually stole was the spotlight. 

36. Kat Graham

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Most Memorable Role: Bonnie Bennett on The Vampire Diaries

As witch Bonnie on The Vampire Diaries, Kat casts us under her spell every week. Not only is she a talented actress, however, she's also a singer who's planning to drop her debut album sometime this year.

35. Jennifer Hudson

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Most Memorable Role: Effie White in Dreamgirls (2006)

While Jennifer Hudson has been working her newly svelte body, the sexiest thing about J-Hud will always be her persistence. Coming a long way since an undeserved seventh place finish on American Idol, she went on to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role of Effie White in Dreamgirls, joining a small but elite group of black actresses to ever do so.

34. Tyra Banks

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Most Memorable Role: Jackie Ames on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air 

Before her effort at becoming the next Oprah with her talk show, Tyra tried her hand at acting with roles in Life-Size and Coyote Ugly. With her latest credits being America's Next Top Model and cameos as herself in Tropic Thunder and Hannah Montana: The Movie,  it seems that the former supermodel found her favorite role: Tyra.

33. Sharon Leal

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Most Memorable Role: Michelle Morris in Dreamgirls (2006)

As Effie's thin replacement Michelle in Dreamgirls, Sharon is presented as the antithesis to Jennifer Hudson: all beauty and no skill. But in real life, Leal is a talented actress, starring in other films like Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?

32. Gugu Mbatha-Raw

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Most Memorable Role: Dr. Clea Hopkins on Touch

If you don’t know how to say her name, then it might be time to learn. In film, the English actress proved she could hold her own with Hollywood vets Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts in 2011's Larry Crowne, leading to her starring role alongside Kiefer Sutherland on the Fox drama Touch

31. Eartha Kitt

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Most Memorable Role: Catwoman on the 1960s Batman TV show

Before Halle Berry, the first black actress to slink into Catwoman's bodysuit was Eartha Kitt in the campy TV series Batman, with Adam West in the 1960s. Kitt didn't just wear the costume well, she oozed feline-like sensuality, and of course, there was that incomparable purr.  

30. Joy Bryant

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Most Memorable Role: Jasmine on Parenthood

Whether she’s 50 Cent’s main squeeze in Get Rich or Die Tryin’ or Dax Shepard’s wifey on the TV series Parenthood, Bryant is the girl you want in your arms, and on your screen. 

29. Michael Michele

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Most Memorable Role: Dr. Cleo Finch on ER

As Dr. Cleo Finch on ER, Michael Michele made us look forward to our weekly check-up with her. We can only hope she signs onto another small screen role soon, as the last time we saw her on TV was in a few 2011 episodes of Gossip Girl.

28. Whitney Houston

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Most Memorable Role: Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard (1992)

In 1992, Whitney Houston was already known for her celestial singing voice. But when she starred in The Bodyguard, as the object of Kevin Costner’s protection, she became one to watch in Hollywood, too. Following the film’s success, Whitney went on to appear in Waiting to Exhale, The Preacher’s Wife, and 2012's Sparkle, released after her death. 

27. Sanaa Lathan

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Most Memorable Role: Monica Wright in Love & Basketball (2000)

Her name means “brilliance” in Arabic, making Sanaa’s name a fulfilled prophecy. Not only has this New York native starred in hit films like Love & Basketball and Alien vs. Predator, but she also earned an English degree from UC Berkley, and a Drama degree from Yale.

26. Tamara Dobson

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Most Memorable Role: Cleopatra Jones in Cleopatra Jones (1973)

Before Dobson became a staple in blaxpoitation films, she started her career in the spotlight as a model for Vogue. This explains why she was so magnetic to watch everytime she hit the screen.

25. Taraji P. Henson

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Most Memorable Roles: Shug in Hustle and Flow (2005)

In The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Henson raises Brad Pitt, who ages backwards. This role came after scene stealing turns in John Singleton's Baby Boy and Hustle and Flow. Like Benjamin Button, this D.C. native's career seems to get better with time. She's now a regular in the hit CBS drama, Person of Interest.

24. Naomie Harris

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Most Memorable Role: Eve Moneypenny in Skyfall (2012)

From the spiky haircut of 28 Days Later to the rotted teeth she rocks in the Pirates of the Caribbean films as a voodoo priestess, Naomie Harris has pulled out all the stops to look the part. But as the latest Bond girl in Skyfall, her sex appeal is no disguise.

23. Garcelle Beauvais

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Most Memorable Role: "Fancy" Monroe on The Jamie Foxx Show

From working at a hotel with Jamie Foxx on his '90s sitcom to working with Mark-Paul Gosselaar in NYPD Blue and Franklin & Bash, Garcelle Beauvais has stood for that alluring colleague who adds sizzle to your workday. This Haitian actress may act like one of the boys, but she’s clearly all woman. 

22. Aisha Tyler

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Most Memorable Role: Andrea Marino on Ghost Whisperer 

From her days hosting Talk Soup on E! to her current gig co-hosting The Talk, it seems the comedienne's career has come full circle. But her only gig isn’t chatting it up as herself—she’s currently the voice of Lana Kane on the hit series Archer, too.

21. Bianca Lawson

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Most Memorable Roles: Maya St. Germain on Pretty Little Liars

What do Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dawson's Creek, Pretty Little Liars, and The Vampire Diaries have in common? These shows have all featured Bianca Lawson, who officially doesn't age. Ever since she appeared in Saved by the Bell: The New Class in 1993, this 33-year-old has been pulling off teen roles for two decades now—like a tantalizing female version of Peter Pan.

20. Lauren London

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Most Memorable Role: Erin "New New" Garnett in ATL (2006)

We first fell in love with Lauren London as New New, T.I.'s love interest in ATL, however she became a mainstay in our mind when she starred in the holiday flick, This Christmas. Whether she's in a music video, a movie, or a TV show, we appreciate any of London's on-screen pursuits.

19. Zoë Kravitz

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Most Memorable Role:  Angel in X-Men: First Class (2011)

In X-Men: First Class, Kravitz plays the not-so-angelic Angel, the rebellious teenage mutant with a permanent set of dragonfly wings. Inheriting heavenly good looks and superhuman levels of swag from her parents Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet, she's just as powerful in real life.

18. Beyoncé

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Most Memorable Role: Deena Jones in Dreamgirls (2006)

The singer-turned-actor is a cliche Hollywood trope. But as a self-professed perfectionist, Beyoncé's acting gigs have been as credible as her music career. First, she showed off comedic chops as the sassy Foxxy Cleopatra in Austin Powers in Goldmember, then took a turn for the serious in Dreamgirls and Cadillac Records. Bey has range, and not just of the vocal variety. If only she'd film more movies...

17. Vivica A. Fox

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Most Memorable Role: Vernita Green/Copperhead in Kill Bill (2003)

She may have dated 50 Cent, but our favorite Fox pairing will always be when she got together with director Quentin Tarantino for Kill Bill. As assassin Vernita Green, the actress kills it.

16. Rosario Dawson

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Most Memorable Roles: Gail in Sin City (2005)

Rosario Dawson, who's part Afro-Cuban, has displayed a knack for playing ass-kicking knockouts; first as the gun-wielding dominatrix Gail in Sin City, and then as the woman who did a number on Kurt Russell in the Death Proof segment of Grindhouse. 

15. Paula Patton

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Most Memorable Role: Jane Carter in Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol (2011)

In Patton's case, art imitates life. When she wasn't busy making us jealous of her real-life man Robin Thicke, the actress, as secret agent Carter, made us envy Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible–Ghost Protocol.

14. Zoe Saldana

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Most Memorable Roles: Neytiri in Avatar (2009)

Zoe Saldana has made a name for herself playing otherworldly females. First, the half-Dominican actress became the first lady of the USS Enterprise as Lieutenant Uhura in Star Trek. And while we didn't actually see her in the flesh in Avatar, she nonetheless earned her place in Hollywood's A-list with the fiery charisma in her motion-capture acting. 

13. Stacey Dash

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Most Memorable Role: Dionne Davenport in Clueless (1995)

Dash will always be best remembered for her role as the rich, bratty and beautiful Dionne in Clueless, and the spin-off TV series of the same name. And, nowadays, Dash hasn't lost her luster, considering how many rappers still reference her in their songs.

12. Gabrielle Union

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Most Memorable Role: Isis in Bring It On (2000)

Gabrielle Union has shined portraying feisty females on screen. First, we didn't want to cross her as head cheerleader Isis in Bring It On. And in Deliver Us From Eva, LL Cool J didn't know what he was in for when he decided to pursue her.

11. Nia Long

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Most Memorable Role: Brandi in Boyz in the Hood (1991)

In her films, Long is the ultimate ride-or die-chick, sticking by an unemployed Ice Cube in Friday and a convicted Mekhi Phifer in Soul Food. And in Big Momma's House, she takes back Martin Lawrence, even after he poses as her overweight grandmother. Now that's a girl who's always down for her man.

10. Lena Horne

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Most Memorable Role: Georgia Brown in Cabin in the Sky (1943)

In Cabin in the Sky (1943), Lena Horne plays Georgia, a temptress sent by the Devil to lure in Little Joe Jackson into hell—perhaps the original case of bad never looking so good.  

9. Vanessa Williams

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Most Memorable Role: Wilhelmina Slater on Ugly Betty

Even though a nude picture scandal revoked her beauty queen title, she’s instead become a TV queen, with memorable roles on Desperate Housewives and Ugly Betty

8. Dorothy Dandridge

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Most Memorable Role: Carmen Jones in Carmen Jones (1954)

As the sultry titular character in Carmen Jones, Dorothy Dandridge made history. Carmen wasn't just one of the best roles offered to a black actress at the time, it also made Dandridge the first African American nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1954.

7. Meagan Good

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Most Memorable Role: Joanna Locasto on Deception

Good has come a long way from hanging around a puppet on Cousin Skeeter, spreading her goodness across films like Stomp the Yard and TV shows like Californication and Deception, on which she plays the lead role.

6. Angela Bassett

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Most Memorable Role: Tina Turner in What's Love Gotta Do With It (1993)

In How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Angela Bassett plays a woman who rediscovers her sexy side. And as one of today's busiest actresses in real life, the Oscar nominee never lost that groove.

5. Kerry Washington

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Most Memorable Roles: Broomhilda Von Shaft in Django Unchained (2012)

Kerry Washington's been in the film business for awhile, but never has she captured the spotlight quite like she is right now. On top of gaining praise for her excellent performance as damsel-in-distress Broomhilda in Quentin Tarantino's Oscar-winning Django Unchained, Washington is fronting her own hit TV show, the political thriller Scandal.

4. Rashida Jones

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Most Memorable Role: Ann Perkins on Parks and Recreation

It's like Jones inherited all of her dad Quincy Jones' musical genius, but it somehow got converted to comedic genius instead. The Harvard graduate doesn't just spend her days on the Parks and Recreation set playing everyone's favorite BFF, she also writes and stars in her own self-created parts, namely as the titular character in the indie film, Celeste and Jesse Forever.

3. Lisa Bonet

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Most Memorable Role: Denise Huxtable on The Cosby Show

As free-spirited Denise Huxtable on The Cosby Show in the '80s, Lisa Bonet represented your best friend's older sister who you had a thing for, but who everyone knew was too cool for you, what with her artsy nature and Bohemian style. Yet, we got to know Denise throughout the course of the show, falling for Bonet in the process.

2. Halle Berry

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Most Memorable Roles: Jinx in Die Another Day (2002)

With her love life recently taking center stage (her current fiancé Olivier Martinez and ex Gabriel Aubrey literally fought over her last year), it's easy to forget that Halle Berry is also hot because of her acting, with roles as a Bond girl in Die Another Day and Storm in the X-Men series.

At her best, she became the first and only African American ever to win the Academy Award for Best Actress, for her performance in 2001's Monster's Ball. At her worst, in Catwoman, she still looked her best. We think that evens out enough for us to forgive her for that performance.

1. Pam Grier

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Most Memorable Role: Foxy Brown in Foxy Brown (1974)

As the titular character in Foxy Brown, Pam Grier instantly became the definitive face (and body) of '70s blaxploitation films. A testament to her enduring legacy, when Quentin Tarantino was to pay homage to the genre with Jackie Brown more than 20 years later, he didn't have to look any further than Grier when casting the lead. Like a true superwoman, she'd proven age was no match for her.

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