list of black academy award winners and nominees

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Al Sharpton has a legitimate gripe about the way Blacks in film are treated. One ignorant, uneducated, cry-baby repub troll tried to justify the treatment of Blacks by posting “12 years a slave” as an example. What an Idiot. Sure Blacks have won, but there are years that Blacks were not even nominated. It pays to go beyond 12th grade. There is a less chance of making an ASS out of yourself and others. Although it's nice to be nominated, it would be even better if Blacks win more often. Example: Sidney Poitier was nominated in 1958 for "Best Actor in a Leading Role" and won in 1963. No one else was nominated until 1970 and no one won until 2001. The list is worst for Black actresses. The list goes on to show how Blacks have been overlooked in the film industry through the years.

 

Best Actor in a Leading Role 4 wins; 16 nominated

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Year

Name

Film

Role

Status

Milestone

1958

Sidney Poitier

The Defiant Ones

Noah Cullen

Nominated

First African-American actor to be nominated for Best Actor.

1963

Sidney Poitier

Lilies of the Field

Homer Smith

Won

First African-American actor to win Best Actor. First African-American actor to receive two acting nominations (Best Actor). Youngest African-American actor to win Best Actor (age 37).

1970

James Earl Jones

The Great White Hope

Jack Jefferson

Nominated

1972

Paul Winfield

Sounder

Nathan Lee Morgan

Nominated

First film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actor and Best Actress.

1986

Dexter Gordon

Round Midnight

Dale Turner

Nominated

First jazz musician to be nominated for Best Actor.

1989

Morgan Freeman

Driving Miss Daisy

Hoke Colburn

Nominated

1992

Denzel Washington

Malcolm X

Malcolm X

Nominated

1993

Laurence Fishburne

What's Love Got to Do with It

Ike Turner

Nominated

Second film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actor and Best Actress.

1994

Morgan Freeman

The Shawshank Redemption

Ellis Boyd 'Red' Redding

Nominated

1999

Denzel Washington

The Hurricane

Rubin Carter

Nominated

2001

Denzel Washington

Training Day

Alonzo Harris

Won

Second African-American actor to receive the award for Best Actor. First time two African-American performers won in leading role Oscars in the same year (Halle Berry, Monster's Ball).

Will Smith

Ali

Muhammad Ali

Nominated

First male hip hop artist to be nominated for an Academy Award. First time multiple African-American actors received Best Actor nominations.

2004

Jamie Foxx

Ray

Ray Charles

Won

First African-American actor to receive two acting nominations in the same year.

Don Cheadle

Hotel Rwanda

Paul Rusesabagina

Nominated

2005

Terrence Howard

Hustle & Flow

DJay

Nominated

2006

Forest Whitaker

The Last King of Scotland

Idi Amin

Won

Will Smith

The Pursuit of Happyness

Chris Gardner

Nominated

2009

Morgan Freeman

Invictus

Nelson Mandela

Nominated

2012

Denzel Washington

Flight

William "Whip" Whitaker

Nominated

Denzel Washington has the most nominations for an African-American Actor: Best Actor (4 nominations) and Best Supporting Actor (2 nominations).

2013

Chiwetel Ejiofor

12 Years a Slave

Solomon Northup

Nominated

First black British actor to be nominated for Best Actor.

Best Actress in a Leading Role 1 win; 9 nominated

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Year

Name

Film

Role

Status

Milestone

1954

Dorothy Dandridge

Carmen Jones

Carmen Jones

Nominated

First African-American actress to be nominated for Best Actress.

1972

Diana Ross

Lady Sings the Blues

Billie Holiday

Nominated

First African-American actress to receive an Academy Award nomination for a debut film performance. First time multiple African-American actresses received Best Actress nominations.

Cicely Tyson

Sounder

Rebecca Morgan

Nominated

First film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actor and Best Actress. First time multiple African-American actresses received Best Actress nominations.

1974

Diahann Carroll

Claudine

Claudine

Nominated

1985

Whoopi Goldberg

The Color Purple

Celie Johnson

Nominated

First time multiple African-American actresses received nominations for the same film.

1993

Angela Bassett

What's Love Got to Do with It

Tina Turner

Nominated

Second film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actor and Best Actress.

2001

Halle Berry

Monster's Ball

Leticia Musgrove

Won

First African-American actress to win Best Actress. First time two African-American performers won in leading role Oscars in the same year (Denzel Washington, Training Day).

2009

Gabourey Sidibe

Precious

Claireece "Precious" Jones

Nominated

Second film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. Second African-American actress to receive a lead Academy Award nomination for a debut film performance.

2011

Viola Davis

The Help

Aibileen Clark

Nominated

Third film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actress and Supporting Actress categories. Tied with Whoopi Goldberg as the most nominated African-American actress with 2 nominations.

2012

Quvenzhané Wallis

Beasts of the Southern Wild

Hushpuppy

Nominated

Youngest ever Best Actress nominee (aged 9). Third African-American actress to receive a lead Academy Award nomination for a debut film performance.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role 4 wins; 13 nominated

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Year

Name

Film

Role

Status

Milestone

1969

Rupert Crosse

The Reivers

Ned

Nominated

First African-American actor to be nominated for Best Supporting Actor.

1981

Howard Rollins

Ragtime

Coalhouse Walker Jr.

Nominated

1982

Louis Gossett, Jr.

An Officer and a Gentleman

Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley

Won

First African-American actor to win Best Supporting Actor.

1984

Adolph Caesar

A Soldier's Story

Sgt. Waters

Nominated

1987

Morgan Freeman

Street Smart

Fast Black

Nominated

First time multiple African-American actors received Best Supporting Actor nominations.

Denzel Washington

Cry Freedom

Steve Biko

Nominated

1989

Denzel Washington

Glory

Pvt. Trip

Won

First African-American actor to receive two Best Supporting Actor nominations.

1992

Jaye Davidson

The Crying Game

Dil

Nominated

First black actor to receive an Academy Award nomination for a debut film performance. First black British actor to receive an Academy Award nomination.

1994

Samuel L. Jackson

Pulp Fiction

Jules Winnfield

Nominated

1996

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Jerry Maguire

Rod Tidwell

Won

Youngest African-American male actor to win an Academy Award (age 29).

1999

Michael Clarke Duncan

The Green Mile

John Coffey

Nominated

2003

Djimon Hounsou

In America

Mateo

Nominated

First black actor born in Africa (specifically in Benin) to receive an Academy Award nomination.

2004

Morgan Freeman

Million Dollar Baby

Eddie 'Scrap-Iron' Dupris

Won

Oldest African-American actor to win an Academy Award (age 67).

Jamie Foxx

Collateral

Max

Nominated

First African-American actor to receive two acting nominations in the same year.

2006

Djimon Hounsou

Blood Diamond

Solomon Vandy

Nominated

Eddie Murphy

Dreamgirls

James 'Thunder' Early

Nominated

First film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress.

2013

Barkhad Abdi

Captain Phillips

Abduwali Muse

Nominated

Second black actor born in Africa (specifically in Somalia) to receive an Academy Award nomination. Second black actor to receive an Academy Award nomination for a debut performance.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role 6 wins; 13 nominated

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Year

Name

Film

Role

Status

Milestone

1939

Hattie McDaniel

Gone with the Wind

Mammy

Won

First African-American person to win an Academy Award. First African-American person to be nominated for acting. First African-American actress to win Best Supporting Actress. Oldest African-American actress to win an Academy Award (age 44).

1949

Ethel Waters

Pinky

Mrs. Dicey Johnson (Pinky's Granny)

Nominated

Second African-American person to be nominated for an Academy Award.

1959

Juanita Moore

Imitation of Life

Annie Johnson

Nominated

1967

Carol Channing

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Muzzy Van Hosmere

Nominated

First time two African-American actresses were nominated in the same category.

Beah Richards

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

Mrs. Prentice

Nominated

1983

Alfre Woodard

Cross Creek

Geechee

Nominated

1985

Margaret Avery

The Color Purple

Shug Avery

Nominated

Second time multiple African-American actresses received Best Supporting Actress nominations. First time multiple African-American actresses received nominations for the same film.

Oprah Winfrey

Sofia

Nominated

1990

Whoopi Goldberg

Ghost

Oda Mae Brown

Won

First African-American actress to receive two acting nominations overall. Second African-American actress to win Best Supporting Actress.

1996

Marianne Jean-Baptiste

Secrets & Lies

Hortense Cumberbatch

Nominated

First black British actress to receive an Academy Award nomination.

2002

Queen Latifah

Chicago

Matron Mama Morton

Nominated

First female hip hop artist to be nominated for an Academy Award.

2004

Sophie Okonedo

Hotel Rwanda

Tatiana Rusesabagina

Nominated

2006

Jennifer Hudson

Dreamgirls

Effie White

Won

First African-American actor (male or female) to win an Academy Award for a debut film performance. Youngest African-American actress to win or be nominated for Best Supporting Actress. Youngest African-American actor (male or female) to win an Academy Award (age 25). First film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress. First African-American actress to win an Academy Award for a musical film.

2007

Ruby Dee

American Gangster

Mama Lucas

Nominated

Oldest African-American actress to be nominated for an Academy Award (age 83).

2008

Viola Davis

Doubt

Mrs. Miller

Nominated

Third time two African-American actresses were nominated in the same category.

Taraji P. Henson

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Queenie

Nominated

2009

Mo'Nique

Precious

Mary Lee Johnston

Won

Second film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.

2011

Octavia Spencer

The Help

Minny Jackson

Won

Third film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actress and Supporting Actress.

2013

Lupita Nyong'o

12 Years a Slave

Patsey

Won

First black African (Kenyan) actress to be nominated. First black African to win in any category. Second black actor to win for a debut performance.

Best Cinematography 1 nominated

Academy Award for Best Cinematography

Year

Name

Film

Status

Milestone

1998

Remi Adefarasin

Elizabeth

Nominated

First black person to be nominated for Best Cinematography.

Best Costume Design 4 nominated

Academy Award for Best Costume Design

Year

Name

Film

Status

Milestone

1992

Ruth E. Carter

Malcolm X

Nominated

First African-American person (male or female) to be nominated for Best Costume Design.

1997

Amistad

Nominated

2004

Sharen Davis

Ray

Nominated

2006

Dreamgirls

Nominated

Best Director 3 nominated

Academy Award for Best Director

Year

Name

Film

Status

Milestone

1991

John Singleton

Boyz n the Hood

Nominated

First African-American person to be nominated for Best Director. Youngest person ever nominated in this category (age 24).

2009

Lee Daniels

Precious

Nominated

Second African-American person to earn a Best Director nomination. First African-American director to earn a Best Picture nomination.

2013

Steve McQueen

12 Years a Slave

Nominated

First black British person to earn a Best Director nomination. First black director to direct a Best Picture winning film. First black director to earn an Oscar for Best Picture.

Best Documentary Feature 1 win; 3 nominated

Academy Award for Documentary Feature

Year

Name

Film

Status

Milestone

1990

Yvonne Smith (producer)

Adam Clayton Powell

Nominated

Shared with Richard Kilberg. First African-American producer to be nominated for Best Documentary Feature.

1997

Spike Lee (director) Samuel D. Pollard (producer)

4 Little Girls

Nominated

First African-American director to be nominated for Best Documentary Feature.

2004

Karolyn Ali (producer)

Tupac: Resurrection

Nominated

2012

T. J. Martin (director)

Undefeated

Won

First African-American person to win in this category. First African-American director to win in this category.

Best Documentary Short Subject 1 win; 1 nominated

Academy Award for Documentary Short Subject

Year

Name

Film

Status

Milestone

2000

Leelai Demoz

On Tiptoe: Gentle Steps to Freedom

Nominated

Shared nomination with Eric Simonson. First African-American person to be nominated for Best Documentary Short Subject.

2009

Roger Ross Williams

Music by Prudence

Won

Shared nomination with Elinor Burkett. First African-American person to win Best Documentary Short Subject.

Best Editing 1 nominated

Academy Award for Film Editing

Year

Name

Film

Status

Milestone

1969

Hugh A. Robertson

Midnight Cowboy

Nominated

First African-American person to be nominated for Best Editing.

Best Original Score 2 wins; 6 nominated

Academy Award for Original Music Score

Year

Name

Film

Status

Milestone

1961

Duke Ellington

Paris Blues

Nominated

First African-American person to be nominated for Best Original Score.

1967

Quincy Jones

In Cold Blood

Nominated

1971

Isaac Hayes

Shaft

Nominated

1978

Quincy Jones

The Wiz

Nominated

First African-American person to be nominated in the Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score (which is different from Best Original Score category).

1984

Prince

Purple Rain

Won

First African-American winner of Best Original Song Score (which is different from Best Original Score category); this category was retired afterwards.

1985

Quincy Jones Andrae Crouch Caiphus Semenya

The Color Purple

Nominated

Shared nomination with 9 other composers. Caiphus Semenya becomes the first black South African to be nominated for an Academy Award.

1986

Herbie Han

Round Midnight

Won

First African-American winner of Best Original Score.

1987

Jonas Gwangwa

Cry Freedom

Nominated

Shared nomination with George Fenton

Best Original Song 5 wins; 12 nominated

Academy Award for Best Original Song

Year

Name

Film

Song

Status

Milestone

1967

Quincy Jones Bob Russell

Banning

"The Eyes of Love"

Nominated

First African-American people to be nominated for Best Original Song.

1968

Quincy Jones Bob Russell

For Love of Ivy

"For Love of Ivy"

Nominated

First African-American people to be nominated twice for Best Original Song.

1971

Isaac Hayes

Shaft

"Theme from Shaft"

Won

First African-American winner for Best Original Song. First African-American winner for any award other than in the acting categories.

1981

Lionel Richie

Endless Love

"Endless Love"

Nominated

1983

Irene Cara

Flashdance

"Flashdance... What a Feeling"

Won

First African-American woman to win a non-acting Academy Award. Shared nomination and win with composer Giorgio Moroder and co-lyricist Keith Forsey.

1984

Stevie Wonder

The Woman in Red

"I Just Called to Say I Love You"

Won

1984

Ray Parker, Jr.

Ghostbusters

"Ghostbusters"

Nominated

1985

Lionel Richie

White Nights

"Say You, Say Me"

Won

1985

Quincy Jones Lionel Richie

The Color Purple

"Miss Celie's Blues"

Nominated

Shared nomination with Rod Temperton

1988

Lamont Dozier

Buster

"Two Hearts"

Nominated

Shared nomination with Phil Collins.

1993

Jimmy Jam Terry Lewis Janet Jackson

Poetic Justice

"Again"

Nominated

1994

James Ingram

Beethoven's 2nd

"The Day I Fall In Love"

Nominated

Shared nomination with Carole Bayer Sager and Cliff Magness.

1995

James Ingram

Junior

"Look What Love Has Done"

Nominated

Shared nomination with Carole Bayer Sager, James Newton Howard and Patty Smyth.

2005

Juicy J Frayser Boy DJ Paul

Hustle & Flow

"It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp"

Won

First African-American rappers to win an Academy Award.

2006

Siedah Garrett

Dreamgirls

"Love You I Do"

Nominated

Shared nomination with composer Henry Krieger.

2007

Jamal Joseph Charles Mack Tevin Thomas

August Rush

"Raise It Up"

Nominated

2011

Siedah Garrett

Rio

"Real in Rio"

Nominated

Shared with Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown. Garrett is the most nominated African-American female songwriter (2 nominations).

2013

Pharrell Williams

Despicable Me 2

"Happy"

Nominated

2014

Common John Legend

Selma

"Glory"

Pending

Best Picture 1 win; 5 nominated

Academy Award for Best Picture

Year

Name

Film

Status

Milestone

1985

Quincy Jones

The Color Purple

Nominated

First African-American producer whose film was nominated for Best Picture.

2009

Lee Daniels

Precious

Nominated

First African-American director whose film was nominated for Best Picture. First time two films with African-American producers were nominated for Best Picture.

Broderick Johnson

The Blind Side

Nominated

First time two films with African-American producers were nominated for Best Picture.

2012

Reginald Hudlin

Django Unchained

Nominated

2013

Steve McQueen

12 Years a Slave

Won

First black producer to win Best Picture.

2014

Oprah Winfrey

Selma

Nominated

First black female producer nominated for Best Picture.

Best Short Film (Live Action) 2 nominated

Academy Award for Live Action Short Film

Year

Name

Film

Status

Milestone

1991

David Massey

Last Breeze of Summer

Nominated

First African-American person (male or female) to be nominated for Short Film (Live Action).

1995

Dianne Houston

Tuesday Morning Ride

Nominated

First African-American female to be nominated for Short Film (Live Action).

Best Sound Mixing 4 wins; 5 nominated

Academy Award for Sound

Year

Name

Film

Status

Milestone

1978

Willie D. Burton

The Buddy Holly Story

Nominated

First African-American person to be nominated for Best Sound.

1980

Willie D. Burton

Altered States

Nominated

First African-American person to be nominated multiple times for Best Sound.

1983

Willie D. Burton

WarGames

Nominated

1988

Willie D. Burton

Bird

Won

First African-American person to win Best Sound.

1989

Russell Williams

Glory

Won

Second African-American person to win Best Sound.

1990

Russell Williams

Dances with Wolves

Won

First African-American person to win multiple Academy Awards in any category.

1994

Willie D. Burton

The Shawshank Redemption

Nominated

1999

Willie D. Burton

The Green Mile

Nominated

2006

Willie D. Burton

Dreamgirls

Won

First African-American person to be nominated, and to win, after category was renamed "Sound Mixing".

Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) 2 wins; 2 nominated

Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay

Year

Name

Film

Adapted From

Status

Milestone

1972

Lonne Elder

Sounder

Sounder by William H. Armstrong

Nominated

First African-American nominee for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay).

1984

Charles Fuller

A Soldier's Story

A Soldier's Play by Charles Fuller

Nominated

2009

Geoffrey Fletcher

Precious

Push by Sapphire

Won

First African-American person to win a screenplay Academy Award.

2013

John Ridley

12 Years a Slave

Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup

Won

Second African-American person to win a screenplay Academy Award. First African-American writer to have written a film that won the Best Picture award.

Best Writing (Original Screenplay) 3 nominated

Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay

Year

Name

Film

Status

Milestone

1972

Suzanne de Passe

Lady Sings the Blues

Nominated

Shared nomination with co-writers Chris Clark and Terence McCloy. First African-American nominee for Best Writing (Original Screenplay). First African-American female nominated for screen-writing.

1989

Spike Lee

Do the Right Thing

Nominated

First African-American male to be nominated for Best Writing (Original Screenplay).

1991

John Singleton

Boyz n the Hood

Nominated

Entry #443

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