Black performers have broken barriers, earning repeated Oscar recognition for powerful on-screen portrayals
Sidney Poitier was the first Black man to win Best Actor, paving the way for future generations
Denzel Washington holds the record for most Oscar nominations by a Black actor with 10
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10 Black Actors and Actresses With the Most Oscar Nominations
The Academy Awards represent the highest honor in the film industry.
Over the years, several Black actors and actresses have delivered performances so powerful that the Academy has recognized them multiple times.
While opportunities have historically been limited, these performers have continued to break barriers and earn repeated recognition for their work on screen.
Here are 10 Black actors and actresses with some of the most Academy Award nominations, listed from least to most nominations.
1. Forest Whitaker — 1 Nomination
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Forest Whitaker received one Academy Award nomination and won for his unforgettable performance as Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland.
His intense portrayal earned him the Best Actor award and remains one of the most powerful performances in modern cinema.
2. Daniel Kaluuya — 2 Nominations
Daniel Kaluuya earned his first Oscar nomination for his breakout performance in Get Out.
He later won Best Supporting Actor for his role as Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah, cementing his reputation as one of the most compelling actors of his generation.
3. Sidney Poitier — 2 Nominations
Sidney Poitier made history as the first Black man to win Best Actor for Lilies of the Field.
His career helped open doors for generations of Black actors in Hollywood.
4. Whoopi Goldberg — 2 Nominations
Whoopi Goldberg earned two Oscar nominations. She was nominated for Best Actress for The Color Purple and later won Best Supporting Actress for her iconic role in Ghost.
5. Angela Bassett — 2 Nominations
Angela Bassett has earned Oscar nominations for What’s Love Got to Do With It and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Her powerful performances and commanding presence have made her one of the most respected actresses in Hollywood.
6. Mahershala Ali — 2 Nominations
Mahershala Ali has been nominated twice and won both times, earning Best Supporting Actor awards for Moonlight and Green Book.
7. Octavia Spencer — 3 Nominations
Octavia Spencer has received three Oscar nominations for The Help, Hidden Figures, and The Shape of Water.
She won Best Supporting Actress for The Help.
8. Viola Davis — 4 Nominations
Viola Davis has earned nominations for Doubt, The Help, Fences, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
She won Best Supporting Actress for Fences and is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of her generation.
9. Morgan Freeman — 5 Nominations
Morgan Freeman has received five Oscar nominations throughout his career for films including Street Smart, Driving Miss Daisy, The Shawshank Redemption, Million Dollar Baby, and Invictus.
He won Best Supporting Actor for Million Dollar Baby.
10. Denzel Washington — 10 Nominations
Denzel Washington holds the record for the most Oscar nominations by a Black actor. His nominations include Cry Freedom, Malcolm X, The Hurricane, Flight, Fences, Roman J. Israel, Esq., and The Tragedy of Macbeth.
Washington has won twice — for Glory and Training Day.
