30 Handsome Male Black Actors Under 40 in 2023

30 Handsome Male Black Actors Under 40 in 2023

*Initially written on June 2023 by Gloria N  and updated on February 2024 by Gloria N

Black is beautiful, black actors add a certain flavor to any movie, film, or series they act in. We have many handsome black actors worldwide, but we have only focused on actors under 40 years.

The list below is of 30 handsome males with less than 40 years as of 2023. We have showcased their work and the achievements they have accomplished throughout their acting career.

The following are 30 handsome male black actors under 40 in 2023;

1. Michael B Jordan

Joan Hernandez Mir, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Michael B Jordan is an American actor and producer. He was born on February 9, 1987, in Santa Ana, California, United States. Michael is one of the most handsome black actors we have under 40 as of 2023. He has sexy dark brown eyes and black hair which contributes to his handsomeness.

Jordan started acting in 1999 and is still active to date. His first-ever film was Black and White played in 1999. Michael gained fame worldwide for his roles in Creed, Blank Panther, and Fruitvale Station among others.

Here are 15 Black Actors Who Recently Died.

2. Donald Glover

Donald Glover is an actor, singer, rapper, producer, writer, and director from the United States of America. The actor’s full name is Donald McKinley Glover Jr; however, he is popularly known as Childish Gambino his state name.

He is among the black actors who are under 40 years as of 2023. He began acting back in 2005 and is popularly known for his roles in Magic Mike XXL, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and The Lazarus Effect among others.

3. Shad Moss

Shad Moss’s stage name is Bow Wow. He is a well-known American rapper, TV presenter, and actor. The actor was born on March 9, 1987, in Columbus, Ohio, U.S., the son of Teresa Caldwell and Alfonso Moss.

Throughout his acting career, Shad starred in many notable films including Like Mike, and Lottery Ticket among others.

4. Kendrick Sampson

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The actor is only 34 years old as of 2023. He was born in Houston, Texas, U.S. son of Hoyle Sampson, Sr and Daphne Smith Sampson. He has beautiful light brown eyes and black hair.

Kendrick is an American black actor famously known for his amazing works such as How to Get Away with Murder, Gracepoint, and The Vampire Diaries etc.

Read also the 20 Most Famous Black Actors of the ’90s.

5. Winston Duke

Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Winston Duke was born on November 15, 1986, in Saint Paul, Tobago, Trinidad, and Tobago. He is among the richest black male actors, and his net worth is estimated to be $8 million as of 2023.

Duke is a Tobagonian actor famously remembered for his works in Blank Panther: Wakanda, Avengers: Endgame, and Avengers: Infinity War among others.

6. Lakeith Stanfield

Lakeith Stanfield’s full name is Lakeith Lee Stanfield. He is one of the American black actors under 40 years old in 2023 and is only 32 years old. His parents are Karen Garrett and Gary Stanfield.

Stanfield is famously known for his Short Term 12 played in 2013.  Other movies he has starred in include Crown Heights, Judas and the Black Messiah, Sorry to Bother You, and Straight Outta Compton among others.

7. Charles Michael Davis

iDominick, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Charles Michael Davis is an American actor. Apart from acting he is as well a model, photographer, producer, and director. Charles was born on December 1, 1984, in Dayton, Ohio, U.S. to Marina Davis and Charles Davis.

He has attractive dark brown eyes and black hair with a net worth of about $800 thousand.

8. John David Washington

John David was an actor, professional football player, and producer from the United States of America. He is among the handsome male black actors with less than 40 years as of 2023. David was born on July 28, 1984 hence he has 38 years.

He is known for his leading roles in the Broadway show The Piano Lesson, and television series Ballers which made him famous across the globe.

Look at the 30 Young Black Actors you should follow in 2023.

9. Evan Ross

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Evan Olav Ross-Naess, professionally known as Evan Ross is an American actor and musician. He is 34 years old as of 2023 and has dark brown eyes and black hair. Evan’s net worth is approximately $ 30 million.

The American actor has been featured in several films such as Line Watch, lack Water Transit, The Family Tree, All the Wilderness, Pink Skies Ahead, and Who Lives at Home among others.

10. Corbin Bleu

Corbin Blue was born in Brooklyn, New York City, U.S., and is an American actor and singer. His parents are actor Davis Reivers and Martha. It is important to note that his father is Jamaican American and his mother is Italian American.

He is a handsome young man with brown eyes and dark brown hair. He is only 33 years old as of 2023. Throughout his career, he has appeared in many television films and television series such as Jump In, Flight 29 Down The Hotel Tango, Malcolm & Eddie, Hannah Montana, and Mother Goose Parade among others.

11. Trevante Rhodes

Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 Trevante Rhodes is one of the black male actors in America. He was born on February 10, 1990, in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, U.S. He is among the young black actors who are successful.

He became famous back in 2016 after playing in the Academy Award-winning film Moonlight. Ever since, he has been featured in other notable films such as Bird Box, and The Predator among others.

12. Leslie Odom Jr

Leslie Odom Jr is an actor and singer from the United States of America. He was born in Queens, New York City back on August 6, 1981. He is one of the black actors who are under 40 and has accomplished a lot.

He gained fame for his roles in Person of Interest, The Many Saints of Newark, Harriet, and Murder on the Orient Express among others.

13. John Boyega

Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

John Boyega is a black male actor from British. He is the son of Samson Adegboyega and Abigail and has two older sisters. He began acting at a young age and at 19 years old, John starred in the movie known as Attack the Block.

He gained international fame after featuring in The Last Jedi, The Force Awakens, The Rise of Skywalker, and the Star Wars sequel trilogy among others.

Find the 20 Most Talented Black Actors of All Time.

14. Caleb McLaughlin

Caleb McLaughlin is one of the most famous black actors under 40 years. He was born on October 13, 2001, in Carmel, New York, U.S. He has been active in the field of entertainment from 2012 to date.

He gained prominence after playing in Stranger Things, a Netflix series as Lucas Sinclair. Since then, he has starred in other notable films such as High-Flying Bird and Concrete Cowboy.

15. Lance Gross

wbls1075nyc, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lance is an American actor born on July 8, 1981, in Oakland, California, U.S. He was the son of an African-American mother and a Ghanaian immigrant father.

He is well-known for his role in Tyler Perry’s House of Payne on TBS, an American basic cable television network, as Calvin Payne.

16. Jacob Latimore

Jacob Latimore was born on August 10, 1996, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. He is a singer, dancer, and actor in the United States from America. He is the son of Jacob Latimore Sr. and Latitia Taylor.

He is among the young black successful actor we have in the 20s. He is well-known for his roles in films such as Collateral Beauty, The Chi, The Maze Runner, and Detroit among others.

17. Shameik Moore

Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Shameik Moore is a singer, rapper, and actor from the United States of America. Moore’s family originates from Jamaica. He became active in 2011 and is actively acting to date.

Moore was born on May 4, 1995, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., and has been featured in many notable films such as Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, Joyful, and Reed Between the Lines.

18. Aldis Hodge

Aldis Hodge is an American actor born in Onslow County, North Carolina, U.S. His parents are Yolette Evangeline Richardson and Aldis Basil Hodge, they both served in the U.S Marine Corps.

Throughout his career, Aldis has received several awards due to his amazing acting skills such as a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor on Television.

19. Corey Hawkins

Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Corey Hawkins was born on October 22, 1988, in Washington, D.C, U.S. He grew up in Washington, D.C, and was raised by his mother who was a police officer. Corey is among the black actors under 40 from America.

He became famous for his roles in The Walking Dead television series played from 2015 to 2016 and in the Straight Outta Compton film of 2015.

Read also the 15 Most Talented Gay Black Actors.

20. Jay Ellis

Jay Ellis is an American actor born in Sumter, South Carolina, U.S. His acting career started back in 2005 in short films. Jay is the only child in his family and his mother worked as a finance executive while his father worked for the Air Force.

Ellis secured his first major role on The Game, an American television series in 2013. Since then, he has starred in many notable films such as Triple Standards, Election Eve, and The Black Bachelor among others.

21. Leon Thomas III

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Leon Thomas III was born on August 1, 1993, in Brooklyn, New York. As of 2023, he is only 30 years old. Leon is an American actor, songwriter, and singer.

He joined the acting industry in 2003 and is still active to date and has been featured in many notable films including The Backyardigans etc.

22. Kofi Siriboe

Kofi is one of the attractive young black actors under 40 in 2023, born on March 2, 1994. He is an American actor as well as a model.

Kofi rose to fame after starring in the television series Queen Sugar as Angel Bordelon and has earned him several accolades such as the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actor in Drama Series.

23. Bryshere Y. Gray

Red Carpet Report on Mingle Media TV from Culver City, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bryshere Gray was born on November 28, 1993, in Philadelphia, U.S. He is an actor and rapper from the United States of America. He was raised by a single mother after his mother became pregnant with him when she was a teenager.

Gray is famously known after featuring in the Fox primetime musical drama television series known as Empire for his role as Hakeem Lyon.

24. Chris O’Neal

Chris O’Neal is an American actor. He is 29 years old as of 2023, a young soul famously known for his acting skills. He has been active in entertainment history since 2011.

In 2012, Chris rose to fame after his role in ‘How To Rock’ a television series. He as well starred in other films such as K.C. Undercover, Greenhouse Academy, and How to Rock among others.

Here are the Top 10 Most Popular Black Actors.

25. Kelvin Harrison Jr

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Kelvin Harrison Jr is not only an actor but also a musician. He began his acting career back in 2013 and is active to date. Kelvin is a young black actor under 40 with hot looks that make him star in films.

 He was widely recognized after starring in the Trial of the Chicago film 7 and Godfather of Harlem.

26. Algee Smith

Algee Smith is not only an actor but a singer as well. He is 28 years old and famous in the entertainment world.

He has starred in many notable films including The Black Messiah, The Edition Story, and Judas among others.

27. Khylin Rhambo

Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Khylin Rhambo is an American black actor. Rhambo began acting at a young age, when he was only 8 years old, he developed an interest in acting and began attending acting classes. His first acting role was on the BET show the Reed Between the Lines.

It did not take long for Rhambo to be recognized and has featured in notable films such as Teen Wolf, and Ender’s Game among others.

28. Brett Austin Johnson

Brett Johnson is one of the most handsome black male actors of all time. He is 26 years old as of 2023. Brett was born in Washington, D.C., U.S.

Brett acted in his first role in 2016 in a television documentary known as ‘Swamp Murders’ as a Randy Metcalfe. Another successful film he featured in includes ‘Five Feet Apart’ in 2019 as Jason.

29. Luka Sabbat

Luka Sabbat was born on November 26, 1997. He is a well-known actor for the amazing work he has been doing in the industry. Apart from being an actor, he is also well influencer and model of the United States of America.

Luka gained fame after featuring in ‘Grownish’ an ABC series. The series was successful and made many people notice him for his unique acting skills.

30. Michael Ward

Michael Ward is a Jamaican-British actor. His mother Keisha gave birth to him when she was only 18 years old. He comes from a family of 4 siblings, he has three sisters.  When Michael was only 2 years old, his father was crushed to death in a car crash.

Michael is a young soul who has gained fame in the field of acting. He began acting back in 2016 and is only 26 years old. He is famously known for acting in ‘The Old Guard’ in 2020 among others.

Look at the 20 Most Famous Black Male Comedian Actors.

20 Quotes on Diversity in Hollywood

1. “It May Not be Too Much to Claim that the Future of Our World Will Depend on how We Deal with Identity and Difference.” – Miroslav Volf, Croatian Protestant Theologian

Volf argues that embracing diversity and difference is critical for our future, which highly applies to Hollywood’s representation. As a significant cultural force, how Hollywood handles identity and difference shapes societal attitudes towards marginalized groups. If Hollywood continues excluding or stereotyping minorities, it reinforces dangerous divides. In contrast, increased diversity and nuanced representation in Hollywood can help build empathy, understanding, and unity.

As Volf notes, this is not just a peripheral issue but one that profoundly impacts our collective future. Hollywood can profoundly influence future generations’ perspectives on identity, equality, and human differences. Rather than shying away from that responsibility, Hollywood creatives should recognize their work’s far-reaching influence and intentionally pursue diversity and representation.

2. “The Challenge is to Seek a Unity that Celebrates Diversity, to Unite the Particular with the Universal, to Recognize the Need for Roots While Insisting that the Point of Roots is to Put Forth Branches.” – William Sloane Coffin, late civil Rights Activist

Bain, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Coffin makes the point that unity does not require uniformity or homogeneity. True unity means bringing people together across differences and diversities while recognizing and celebrating distinctions. This is highly relevant for Hollywood in bringing in more diverse voices. Too often, the entertainment industry has promoted a false uniformity by excluding minority stories and perspectives. However, meaningful unity comes from uplifting diversity, not suppressing it.

Hollywood has the opportunity to unite audiences by celebrating diverse stories that tap into shared human experiences. At the same time, these stories should not gloss over cultural specifics and lived realities. Unity in Hollywood requires embracing universal human connections and the particularities of different roots. Diverse writers, directors, and actors must capture and celebrate nuanced experiences authentically.

3. “My Objective in My Career is to Give Visibility to All of us Who Have Been Kept in the Dark for So Long.” – Lana Condor, Actress

Condor stresses the importance of representation in film/TV and providing opportunities to groups long excluded in Hollywood, including Asian Americans like herself. She recognizes the power of media visibility to validate identities, shape perceptions, and widen the horizons of what is possible for marginalized communities. After generations of invisibility and offensive stereotypes on screen, the entertainment industry owes meaningful representation to Asian Americans and other minorities.

Condor is leveraging her career to correct this imbalance proactively. She intentionally seeks roles that authentically reflect Asian identity rather than playing into tropes. Her advocacy is helping drive momentum for Hollywood to deliver the long-overdue visibility of Asian American stories and faces on our screens.

4. “It Bothered Me that I Have Done Seven Marvel Movies Where Every Producer, Every Director, Every Stuntperson, Every Costume Designer, Every PA, Every Single Person has Been White.” – Anthony Mackie, Actor

Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Mackie critiques the lack of diversity behind the scenes in Hollywood blockbusters, arguing that representation is needed on-screen and in critical creative and crew roles. Even hugely successful films drawing diverse audiences have maintained homogeny behind the cameras. This severely limits the range of perspectives influencing the content. Mackie rightly finds it unacceptable for major productions to entirely exclude minorities from positions of creative power and routinely fail to foster inclusive environments.

Notably, his critique extends beyond just on-screen casting to every production level. Diversity behind the scenes impacts the stories being told and who benefits from economic opportunities. Mackie’s comments highlight the need for Hollywood studios to re-evaluate their hiring practices and do more to cultivate inclusion systematically rather than just making token-diverse casting decisions.

5. “Where am I Allowed to Exist? How Specific are We Going to get with This? What Does it Mean to be an Actor — Just to be Yourself?” – Dev Patel, actor

Patel shares his frustration as an Indian actor with difficulty finding roles, getting typecast, and being pigeonholed instead of being seen as an actor with range. He conveys the anguish of feeling his identity as an actor is restricted by Hollywood’s narrow conceptions of where minorities belong. Acting is imagination, transformation, and the revelation of shared truths through diverse characters.

However, for minority performers, the industry imposes strict limitations rather than allowing them to practice their craft. Patel exposes the double standard where white actors have extensive opportunities while minorities’ skills are discounted due to ethnic identity. His questions highlight that Hollywood diversity requires not just more roles but also allowing minority actors the freedom to portray complex characters beyond stereotypes. The entertainment industry would benefit from Patel’s reminder to see minority performers as actors first rather than reducing them to their ethnicity.

6. “The Very Essence of Acting, it Asks for You to Perform, Transform, Change — That is the Allure of the Job … And Sometimes I Feel Stuck in this Cultural no Man’s Land.” – Dev Patel, Actor

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Patel argues that the point of acting is transformation, yet for minority actors, typecasting and narrow cultural representations severely limit freedom. He articulates that, fundamentally, acting is meant to be an imaginative art that allows performers to inhabit different perspectives and identities. However, for performers of color, Hollywood routinely restricts opportunities to “perform, transform, and change.”

Racial biases cling to minority actors, denying them the same artistic freedom as their white counterparts to disappear into diverse roles. Patel conveys frustration at being fenced into “cultural no-man’s land” rather than being afforded the full creative license of his craft. His comments urge Hollywood to move past outdated mindsets that bind minority actors. Instead, the industry should empower diverse performers and stories to push artistic boundaries. 

7. “I Want to Fulfill my Desire to Write Vibrant, Flawed Characters and be a Role Model to Young People. It is Stuff that I Think about All the Time.” – Mindy Kaling, Writer/Actor

Kaling discusses feeling a dual responsibility as a minority creative to create compelling characters and provide meaningful representation through her writing. She conveys her drive as a writer to develop entertaining stories populated by vivid, human characters with fundamental flaws. Nevertheless, as a woman of color in Hollywood, she cannot ignore the broader impact of her storytelling. Kaling feels an obligation to use her platform to expand representations of minority identities.

However, this pressures her to balance creative goals with social roles of being a role model and spokesman for underrepresented groups. Kaling’s comments reveal the tensions minority storytellers face between artistic aspirations and the loaded expectations surrounding their work. Her dilemma represents a common challenge among diverse Hollywood voices.

8. “From the Get-go of My Career, I Thought, There is a Certain Box or a Certain Way that You are Seen, Which I Did not Feel Growing Up.” – America Ferrera, Actress

Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ferrera shares realizing early on that as a Latina actress, she was pigeonholed into specific stereotyped roles not aligning with her lived experience. She quickly recognized the industry’s limited conception of the stories and backgrounds of authenticity of Latina performers. Racial biases had narrowed opportunities into a “certain box” that poorly reflected the diversity of Latina experiences.

Ferrera’s upbringing differed from the exaggerated tropes Hollywood wanted to impose on her. This demonstrates that increasing diversity requires not just casting minority actors but also welcoming their identities’ complexity. It means moving past reductive stereotypes and listening to performers share the realities of their cultures. Ferrera shows how minority performers struggle when their voices are marginalized. Her experience reveals the need for Hollywood gatekeepers to become more aware of biases hindering inclusion.

9. “I, Really, Really Want to Represent the Asian Community and Normalize Seeing Us in Mainstream Film and Television.” – Lana Condor, Actress

Condor again stresses the personal importance to her as an Asian American actress of representing her community and making Asian faces mainstream. She explains that her advocacy is not some political agenda but comes from a deeply personal place. After long feeling excluded and unseen in the media she consumed growing up, Condor now feels a calling to be part of correcting this imbalance. Her repetition of “really, really, really” emphasizes how much this matters to her emotionally.

Condor is determined to use her acting career to push for Asian representation until it is normalized rather than tokenistic. She wants to see Asians prominently included in mainstream Hollywood storytelling, not sidelined in periodic diversity initiatives. Her comments reflect many minority performers’ profound yearning to see themselves valued in Hollywood’s visions finally.

10. “In Hollywood, I Do Not Think There is Enough Real Representation and Nuance in that Space. I See a Lot of Incredible Afro-Latinas Working, but I Am not Sure that There are Enough Stories Told That Speak to that Particular Experience.” – Tessa Thompson, Actress

Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Thompson critiques Hollywood’s lack of nuanced representation, erasing diversity within broad identity groups through insufficient storytelling. She observes that while actresses from Afro-Latina backgrounds are working, Hollywood remains lacking in stories that depict their specific experiences. This demonstrates that increasing diverse casting alone is insufficient for meaningful representation. It requires embracing the full richness of identities, not flattening differences under simplistic labels.

Thompson calls for moving past the superficial validation of identity groups and reflecting lived realities. There are vast possibilities for storytelling around the nuances within cultural groups that Hollywood has barely tapped into. Telling these stories requires close collaboration with minority performers and creators to capture authentic textures. As Thompson argues, true inclusion means welcoming the complexity of diverse communities on screen.

11. “We Create True Peace When we are Inclusive of Others. However, Inclusion and Nonattachment to Our Opinions are Sometimes Difficult to Practice. Exclusion, Getting Caught by Our Views, is a Deep-Seated Habit that Arises From Fear and Misunderstanding of Others.” – Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist Monk

Thich Nhat Hanh speaks to the importance of including diverse voices in Hollywood storytelling, which requires overcoming exclusionary habits rooted in fear and misunderstanding. He suggests that peace and harmony come through openness and embracing differences rather than suppressing them. This applies to Hollywood resisting narratives of exclusion and courageously pursuing inclusive storytelling.

However, this requires self-reflection to address unconscious biases marginalizing minority voices and perspectives. Hollywood power players must confront deep-seated habits of prejudice that fuel the exclusion of diverse writers, directors, and performers. Thich Nhat Hanh notes that these exclusionary tendencies often come from ignorance or fear of the unknown. Therefore, inclusion in Hollywood begins with compassionately confronting our biases and welcoming diverse artists’ truths, even when unfamiliar. 

12. “Ours is a Huge, Magnificent World, Brimming with Beauty, Variety, and Diversity. What we Perceive is a Minuscule Fraction of the Fraction of What Exists.” – Jamal Rahman, Interfaith Minister

Rahman beautifully conveys that the world contains immense diversity beyond what we can perceive, arguing for the value of diverse perspectives. No single view captures the richness of human experiences. Rahman’s words highlight the limitations of Hollywood narratives that have excluded minority voices for so long. Mainstream movies and TV reflect a sliver of reality from a homogenized perspective.

Hollywood must incorporate a spectrum of perspectives to portray our vibrant, diverse world more fully. Countless undiscovered stories could connect audiences to broader truths. An inclusive Hollywood would cherish diversity, not limit expressions. Minority storytellers have unique visions to share if given opportunities. Rahman’s sentiments inspire artistic possibilities by embracing the magnificence of varied experiences.

13. “I Want to Dedicate this to the LGBT Community Around the World. I Stand here Tonight as a Proud Gay Man, and I Hope that We Can All Stand as Equals One Day.” – Sam Smith, Musician

In his 2015 Oscar acceptance speech, Smith emphasized equality and unity across differences like sexual orientation. He leveraged his platform to advocate for the LGBTQ community, proudly embracing his identity to help foster understanding. Smith imagined a future where people stand united regardless of sexuality or gender differences.

His wish reflects the social impact diverse representation in Hollywood can have. Moments like Smith’s speech can profoundly influence audiences’ attitudes around inclusion. Seeing minorities proudly embraced can erode prejudices. The entertainment industry has gradually expanded LGBTQ stories and casting. Nevertheless, full equality means pursuing enough nuanced portrayals that speeches like Smith’s become commonplace rather than exceptional. 

14. “Let’s Start Telling Our Stories.” – Kelly Marie Tran, Actress

MTV International, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

On Hollywood representation, Tran argues that marginalized communities need opportunities to tell their stories. She conveys the frustration of diverse voices being silenced and minority perspectives excluded from shaping media narratives. Her proposed solution is to empower marginalized communities to shape their narratives.

Rather than having identities filtered through a homogenized Hollywood lens, Tran wants to see minorities in director chairs and writers’ rooms creating authentic stories. This call powerfully resonates across groups wanting agency in their representation. Hollywood gatekeepers must proactively foster environments where minority storytellers can develop and share their truths. Tran’s words reflect a growing demand for inclusion that requires relinquishing creative controls to empower diverse voices.

15. “The Only Thing That Separates Women of Color from Anyone Else is Opportunity.” – Viola Davis, Actress

Davis astutely points to the lack of opportunity as the fundamental problem behind the underrepresentation of women of color in Hollywood. Her statement calls out the false narrative that minority absences in Hollywood result from deficiencies of talent or ability. Davis clarifies that the problem stems from a lack of access and chances, not inferior skills. This shifts responsibility onto Hollywood’s systematically exclusionary practices rather than blaming marginalized groups who have been denied opportunity.

Davis argues that women of color can succeed equally if given opportunities. Her powerful words resonate across the experiences of minorities routinely overlooked and excluded by the entertainment industry. Systemic change is needed to expand access and dismantle barriers that have long suppressed minority inclusion.

16. “I didn’t Become an Actor to Wear Louis Vuitton. I Became an Actor to Change the Way I Grew Up. The Way I Grew up, I Never Saw Myself on Screen.” – Gina Rodriguez, Actress

Dominick D, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Rodriguez shares that she became an actress to increase minority representation so other children could see themselves reflected on screen, unlike in her childhood. She did not enter the profession seeking fame, glamour, or status. Rodriguez makes it clear her motivations are not shallow but deeply meaningful – to use acting as a vehicle for social change.

She wants to reshape media narratives so young minorities grow up feeling recognized and valued, sparing them the exclusion she experienced. Rodriguez channels her success into advocacy because she understands representation’s profound impact. Her experience speaks to the altruistic motivations driving many minority performers seeking to transform Hollywood. They recognize film and television’s power to inspire future generations through inclusive storytelling.

17. “What We Need is not Uniformity But Unity, Love — Always and Everywhere. Let us be Compassionate with Each Other as God is Compassionate. Let us be like Grapes and not like Marbles When We Come Together with Conflicting Opinions.” – William Sloane Coffin

Coffin argues that unity comes not from conformity but from compassion, bringing people together across differences. He emphasizes that the antidote to division is not forcing uniformity but cultivating mutual understanding. Coffin envisions people relating to each other with divine compassion, appreciating diversity rather than demanding homogeneity. This outlook has powerful implications for increasing Hollywood inclusion.

It will require those holding power to open minds/hearts and make space for minority perspectives rather than clinging to old exclusions. Embracing Coffin’s vision means focusing on shared hopes and humanity’s richness, not differences as threats. Hollywood can help foster this unity through stories that thoughtfully navigate diverse experiences. Compassion must displace fear and bias in entertainment’s gatekeepers.

18. “The Winners of this Category, All they have is this Oscar and going Home in a Honda Civic.” – Louis CK, Comedian

ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

CK used humor to critique the lack of opportunities for minority filmmakers in Hollywood despite their immense talents and accomplishments. He pokes fun at the juxtaposition of acclaimed minority creatives receiving Hollywood’s highest honors but still facing marginalization. The joke highlights that institutional biases persist even as minorities are celebrated as exceptions.

Trophies do not necessarily translate into access or inclusion. Without systematic change, minorities’ careers remain restricted regardless of how many awards they collect. While told jokingly, the more profound commentary reveals an absurdist disconnect in how Hollywood rewards diverse talent without truly embracing it. CK sheds light on how industry barriers reinforce inequities subtly, even amidst efforts to appear inclusive. His comedy exposes unresolved contradictions. 

19. “Is Hollywood Racist? You’re Damn Right Hollywood’s Racist. But it isn’t the Racist you’ve Grown Accustomed to. Hollywood is Sorority Racist.” – Chris Rock, Comedian

Rock unapologetically calls out Hollywood’s brand of “sorority racism” that excludes people of color while maintaining a liberal image. He accuses Hollywood of covertly keeping minorities out through insular hiring networks under the guise of liberal idealism. Rock argues that Hollywood’s systemic barriers today manifest differently than the overt racism of the past. However, the exclusionary impact persists through informal alliance patterns among the white elite.

He boldly names these modern biases rather than letting them hide behind pro-diversity public messaging. Rock’s blunt assessment prompts examination of how informal gatekeeping and unchecked biases subtly perpetuate discrimination. His humor disarms defensiveness to highlight needed self-reflection from Hollywood’s power players. 

20. “Ask those Diversity Questions to White People, not Just Brown People. Ask Everyone.” – Asif Kapadia, Filmmaker

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Kapadia argues that diversity questions should be put to white Hollywood power players, not just minority creatives. He highlights an imbalance where minorities are treated as spokespeople for their entire communities while white decision-makers avoid scrutiny. Kapadia’s words urge journalists and audiences advocating for Hollywood inclusion to look systemically at the biases of those controlling opportunities. While minority voices should be elevated, the spotlight must also fall on gatekeepers to address inequities.

Kapadia reminds us that inclusion begins by holding the majority population accountable for sharing power. White leaders in Hollywood must take ownership of diversity issues, not leave the work to minorities alone. The “diversity questions” are ultimately for those maintaining the status quo, not just those excluded by it.