Being a successful Black actor is an impressive feat. Many of your favorite stars have taken their talents behind the camera to bring you some of your favorite film and television shows.
Here are just a few of the actors who helped create some of the most iconic programs in history from the directors chair.
Regina King
Regina King stole our hearts when she burst onto the scene as the hilarious Brenda in the sitcom 227 in 1985. From there, she starred in numerous star making roles including Dana in Friday, Marcee in Jerry Maguire, and who can forget her scene stealing role in This Christmas.
All before going on to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2019 for the film adaption of If Beale Street Could Talk. With such an accomplished acting career under her belt, Regina still had ambitions to direct. Her directorial film debut came with the critically acclaimed film One Night in Miami in 2020.
However, King has been putting her directing skills to the test since 2013 when she directed an episode of the series ‘Southland’. She’s also directed episodes of ‘Scandal’, ‘Being Mary Jane’, and ‘Insecure’.
Denzel Washington
There seems to be nothing that Denzel Washington can’t do. The highly decorated actor has been on the silver screen since 1977. Over his nearly 50 year career he has gifted us with Training Day, American Gangster, and Inside Man among other notable roles.
The actor added director to his credits in 2002 with the hit film Antwone Fisher. He also starred in the film, and has gone onto direct other films that he’s starred in as well, including Fences and The Great Debaters.
Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele may have the most interesting career to date. The comedian starred for many seasons on the Comedy Central show ‘Key and Peele’ before going on to direct the hit film Get Out for which he won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. That year he received a Best Director nod as well.
Forest Whitaker
Forest Whitaker was introduced to the world in 1982 with his debut as football player Brad Hamilton in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. However, the actor may be best known for playing Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland. His career as a director may come as a surprise to many.
He directed the film Waiting to Exhale, as well as Whitney Houston’s 1995 music video for the song “Exhale (Shoop Shoop).” He also directed the Sandra Bullock film Hope Floats. His last directing stint was in 2004 with the Katie Holmes film First Daughter.
Robert Townsend
Townsend is known now as one of the most prolific and iconic Black directors, but started as an actor in the 70s. He’s been on our screens since 1975, but his true breakout came in the 1987 film Hollywood Shuffle which he wrote, starred in, and directed.
In his career he has also directed some history making pieces including Eddie Murphy’s standup special Raw.
Kerry Washington
Kerry Washington built her career as a celebrated actress starring in roles like Olivia Pope in ‘Scandal’, Chenille in Save the Last Dance, and portraying Ray Charles wife Della Bea Robinson in the Academy Award winning film Ray.
She’s been directing almost as long. Her directorial debut came in 2007 for Common’s music video “I Want You.” Washington has also worked as a director on ‘Scandal’, ‘Insecure’, and most recently the hit show ‘Reasonable Doubt’.
Sidney Poitier
Sidney Poitier will always have a place in history as the first Black person to win a Best Actor Oscar in 1964 for his role in Lilies of the Field. He made his directorial debut in 1972 with Buck and the Preacher.
The legendary Black actor directed many great films, many of which starred the disgraced comedian Bill Cosby. His most iconic directing work includes Stir Crazy, Uptown Saturday Night, and Ghost Dad.
