The Greatest Black Characters In Film History
Virgil Tibbs, "Red" Redding, Jules Winnfield... This is a list of the all-time greatest Black characters in film, ranked as the best in film history by movie lovers everywhere. From famous male protagonist characters to memorable villains, this list has the best Black characters in film, portrayed by award-winning actors and featured in some of the greatest films ever made. Who are the most famous Black characters in film?
From classic films like Hotel Rwanda, The Color Purple, and Jerry Maguire, the fictional characters on this list are also some of the best characters in film history. Many of the actors who portrayed these classic Black film characters received numerous awards for their notable performances. This includes some of the best Black actors of all time, such as Denzel Washington and Sidney Poitier.
Cast your votes for the iconic Black movie characters listed here that you believe are the best of all time.
- 1
A hitman with a flair for biblical recitations, this iconic character from Quentin Tarantino's 1994 film, Pulp Fiction, undergoes a drastic transformation after surviving imminent death. His newfound spirituality leads him to quit the world of crime, but not before dispensing his own unique brand of wisdom and laying vengeance upon the wicked with a .45-caliber pistol.
- Actor: Samuel L. Jackson
- 2
The wise and resourceful character from Stephen King's novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption was brilliantly adapted for the screen in Frank Darabont's 1994 film, The Shawshank Redemption. Serving as the film's narrator, he's an inmate who understands the intricacies of prison life and develops a lifelong friendship with the protagonist, all while retaining his sense of hope and dignity.
- Actor: Morgan Freeman
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- 3
The groundbreaking superhero from the Marvel Comics universe and the star of Ryan Coogler's 2018 blockbuster, this African prince turned king must protect his hi-tech, hidden nation and assume the mantle of Black Panther. With his unique vibranium suit, he battles threats both internal and external, balancing tradition with progress in a world that doesn't always understand the true depth of his power.
- Actor: Chadwick Boseman
- 4Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III, Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Charming, suave, and an expert at navigating the morally gray galaxy of George Lucas's original Star Wars trilogy, this character stands out as a fan favorite for his dual roles as a gambler and rebel alliance hero. Originally introduced in The Empire Strikes Back, he helps our heroes escape Cloud City before redeeming himself in Return of the Jedi by aiding the rebellion's final push against the Empire.
- Actor: Billy Dee Williams
- 5
Appearing first as an antagonist and later as a mentor and friend in the original Rocky films, this flamboyant boxer is inspired by real-life legends like Muhammad Ali. A symbol of pride, competitiveness, and the spirit of the American dream, his eventual redemption in Rocky III seals his status as one of the most memorable characters in sports movie history.
- Actor: Carl Weathers
- 6
As the central character in Quentin Tarantino's spaghetti western-inspired film Django Unchained, he embarks on a brutal journey to rescue his wife from a cruel plantation owner. This freed slave-turned-bounty hunter relies on his exceptional gunslinging skills and iron determination to dismantle the dehumanizing horrors of the pre-Civil War South.
- Actor: Jamie Foxx
