The film industry is a jackfruit business that needs a thick skin to become successful. African actresses have not had a chance to appear on the big stage in the past decade, but things are better these days. Now we have new names who are making big-time hits and are making their mark in the film industry.
Most Shocking And Sensational African Actresses In Hollywood
In her confession speech at the 67th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Viola Davis stated that women of color are just as good in front of the camera, only they don't get as many opportunities as they should. Nevertheless, many American American actresses in Hollywood are spearheading this charge and making waves in Hollywood. In this article, we will focus on enveloping ten African American actresses in Hollywood and establishing themselves as A-listers.
Charlize Theron
Charlie Theron was born on 7th August 1975. The South African-American actress doubles as a film producer. Theron was thrust into the limelight after her role in “The Devil’s Advocate” in the 1990s.
Some of her more known films include:
• Mad Max: Fury Road
• Snow White and the Huntsman
• Atomic Blonde
• Monster• Dark Places
The dizzying heights of Hollywood fame were nothing to the then-budding star who went on to star in many other movies even winning an Academy Award for her stellar performance in the “Monster” playing the serial killer Aileen Wuornos.
Benu Mabhena
Benu Mabhena was born in London, UK. While she can trace her acting development to the US, the actress bloodline lies in Zimbabwe, where her parents and most of her siblings were born. Her family spent a lot of time on the move, settling in various times in Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
The US government at some point offered the country asylum, and they settled in San Francisco. This is where the young Benu Mabhena would live throughout her teenage years.
From an early age, it was clear that Mabhina loved performing arts. She used to impress and tell stories to the people around her. As she grew older, she began writing poetry and reading poetic pieces. His credibility froze when he attended Diablo Valley College and attended theater. After college, she chose to live in Southern California and pursue her acting dreams, playing a role in Blood Diamonds (2006). She has also appeared in Night Walker and Princess.
Lupita Nyong’o
The 35-year-old Oscar winner has a dreamy dream in Hollywood and is currently one of the most sought-after actresses in the industry. Lupita Nyongo was born in Mexico to Kenyan parents and holds dual citizenship for both countries.
It’s safe to say that you’ve seen Lupita Nyong’o in more than one film, as she played roles in:
• Star Wars: Episode VII & Episode VIII• The Jungle Book
• 12 Years a Slave
• Black Panther
• Non-Stop
Her claim to fame was the movie “12 Years A Slave” in which she played Patsey becoming the first Kenyan and Mexican to win the award. Since then she has gone on to feature in high-grossing films such as Marvel’s Black Panther, The Jungle Book and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The actress has had 56 nominations winning 36 times.
Thandie Newton
Thandiwe Nashita “Thandie” Newton has starred in many blockbuster Hollywood releases and has cemented her name as one of the biggest female stars of our times. The English actress has had roles in both American and British releases. Thandie Newton made her debut in acting in the film Flirting back in 1991. She went on to appear in the film “Interview With A Vampire” 3 years later.
Thandie Newton played a lead role in HBO’s successful show “Westworld”, and played a supporting role in some big blockbusters such as “Solo: A Star Wars Story” and “2012”.
Her most notable roles include "Mission Impossible II", "Jefferson in Paris" in Sally Hemmings, Kate Thomas in "Norbit", Sally Hemmings in "The Pursuit of Happiness", and a title role in "The Title". His long career, Newton, won acclaim for his adventures in the film industry:
A Black Reel Award for Best Cast in "History of Crash", a Black Movie Award nomination for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role in "Crash", Outstanding Performance by Artists in "Crash", among many others Screen Actors Guild.
Michelle Van Der Water
The actress was born in Cape Town, South Africa. Soon after her birth, the family moved to Australia settling in a small town an hour’s drive from Sydney. There Michelle went to high school at Inaburra High School located in the Sutherland Shire after which she went on to graduate from Wollongong University. She took a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Arts in Graphic Design and New Media.
Over her career, Michelle Van Der Water has appeared in many films, including:
• Teeth and Blood
• Minotaur
• We Are Love
• Crosshairs
Prior to acting, she made her debut in acting. Shortly after taking acting classes, he realized that his love for acting was very strong. She started in 2000 after moving to Los Angeles.
She has appeared in several films with small roles on several major films. One of the lead roles was the film "Minotaur" starring Rani Rafaela opposite Tony Todd and Tom Hardy. Other performances came in works such as "Melrose Place," "Castle," and NCIS: Renovation of Los Angeles.
Megalyn Echikunwoke
Megalyn Echikunwoke TV appearances also in:
• Teeth and Blood
• 24
• Vixen
• Damsels in Distress
• House of Lies
He also had a recurring role in the series "Raising the Bar" aired on TNT. She also starred on CBS's "Made in Jersey" "90210" "That the 70's Show" and many more. The actress has also listened to her voice at the political front championship, as she believes and creates awareness.
She made headlines when she had a relationship with comedian Chris Rock. The two have been dating for some time, with rumors of a wedding circling the internet.
Azie Tesfai
Los Angeles natives are the daughter of Eritrean immigrants and the only child. The actress received acceptance letters from several Ivy League colleges such as Yale, Columbia and Brown, but instead received a degree in business administration from UC Berkeley. During her time at Berkeley, the actress attended Berkeley and L.A. to attend acting classes. Started acting classes to travel between.
Azie Tesfai played supporting roles in many TV shows, in:
• The Real O’Neals
• Ghosted
• Superstore
• Rosewood
• Powers
When she appeared on Fox's "Wicked Wicked Games", Tecefi got her first taste of the silver screen. He has also had roles in "Melrose Place", "Franklin and Bash," Law and Order: SVU "and" Royal Pain ".
Tesfai has also done some humanitarian work while fighting to stop a non-profit shutdown backed at its core Ethiopia. In an effort to save the non-profit, Tesfai ended up opening his own organization as Fortuned Culture. The nonprofit deals with selling jewelry and donating the proceeds to children in developing countries.
Chipo Chung
Chipo Chung appeared in these movies:
• Phèdre
• In the Loop
• Proof
• Sunshine
To refine his raw acting talent, he attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and ventured into the roles of productions such as Doctor Who, Sunshine, Loop, Proof, Last Enemy, Sherlock and Camelot.
Apart from being an actor, Chung is a well-known activist, and some of her work has involved setting up the SAFE-Kenya outfit, which campaigns towards creating awareness for HIV and educating the public on the limitations of clitoridectomy. She sits on the SAFE-Kemya trustees board.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Gugulethu Sophia Mbatha-Raw was born on 21 April 1983. She started her acting career in 2004 and has appeared in several critically acclaimed films. She is best known for her performance in the hit TV series "Black Mirror" where she played Kelly. She also appeared as "Dido Elizabeth Belle in Belle". In "Beyond the Lights" he played the role of Noni Jean.
Some of the other movies she appeared on in:
• Concussion
• The Whole Truth
• Jupiter Ascending
• Beyond the Lights
• Free State of Jones
She also had a role in the film "Beauty and the Beast", in which she played the role of Plummet. The South African actress was brought in by her South African father and Ann Raw by an English nurse. He spent his early years at Whitney, where his acting passion grew.
Mbatha-Raw began to play small roles in the theater, where he had the first success of the theater to play the role of Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. In his career, he always won his fans in many films and received nominations for it. She has been nominated over the years and won the Best Success Performance at the Alliance of Women Film Journalists.