Who is the best Black Actress?

OP has never watched "Greenleaf."

Alfre Woodard

Lynn Whitfield is so beautiful. Loved her in Eve's Bayou. She is actually Creole in real life, so she has the background to make that role come to life.

Alfre Woodard is a master

Alfre Woodward, everyone else is fighting for a distant second place.

I knew somebody would’ve said Alfre already but I’ll make three! She’s the best

Viola Davis great. I know DLers give her crap, but I first discovered her on Law & Order SVU about 15 years ago when she was a total unknown, and I could tell she was talented and going places. I was proven right.

R4 is racist.

You should have done a poll, OP.

I still have memories of three greats: Ruby Dee, Cecily Tyson, and Diana Sands.

Alfre is good but she never disappears into the role. As soon as she comes on the screen it’s like “there’s Alfre Woodard”.

Dominique Fishback is young but she's coming up fast.

She’s kind of like a ‘90s Diahann Carroll.

Agreed, OP. I fucking love Lynn Whitfield.

Regina King

Watch Clemency _ Alfre Woodward was robbed of an Oscar. Brilliant actress.

CCH Pounder is always good, even though she mostly does tv.

Knots Landing really fucked up not using Lynne Moody in the manner she deserved. I really liked her character and wish they'd paired Pat Williams with Gary as planned.

Laverne Cox!

Regina Hall is underrated

King Latifah

Marie Anne Jn Baptiste

Whoopi owns this thread.

"Alfre is good but she never disappears into the role. As soon as she comes on the screen it’s like “there’s Alfre Woodard”."

Oh, because you know what Alfre Woodard is like in real life, lol.

Personally I like Annika Nona Rose and Sanaa Lathan

Thandiwe

Regina Hall was excellent in the recent (somewhat uneven) horror film “Master”. She’s good at showing enough emotion to get a glimpse in her character’s mind without overacting.

R11, you’re right that Alfre Woodard never entirely disappears into a character, but I’d argue that it somehow really works for her! I think it’s because her personal charisma never gets in the way of her character’s interactions when she’s onscreen. Joan Crawford comes to mind as someone with a similar quality.

And while Angela Bassett was never going to get the Best Actress Oscar for a Marvel movie (deal with it, Angela) she gives one of my favorite performances ever alongside Woodard in the John Sayles movie “Passion Fish”. Alfre is the hired caretaker for a bratty, spoiled soap opera actress who is paralyzed in an accident, and Angela plays the actress’s former costar who comes with a group of colleagues for a visit. Angela is only onscreen for a few minutes, and brings a lot of depth to her character during that time. I’d be interested to hear what people who are on the fence about whether Angela can really act think of that performance. For me, it cements that she can really act.

^^ do you think Angela over acted in WLGTDWI?

Anika Noni Rose*

Rachel Dolezal, man.

I’ll put in a good word for Octavia Spencer.

She can do straight drama like Fruitvale Station, she can do comedy, and she can switch between both effortlessly even within a film. She understands how to do camp (the glorious trash that is Ma), and even when she works in projects that aren’t highbrow, she never condescends to the material like many talented actors tend to do.

There’s a lot about her that’s reminiscent of Kathy Bates.

[quote]There’s a lot about her that’s reminiscent of Kathy Bates.

That's a good comparison. And I'd love to hang out with both of them. Octavia is talented and she seems like she'd be a lot of fun when she's not working.

I have always loved Alfre Woodard. Just love her.

Angela Bassett.

She actually improvised this entire scene from Waiting to Exhale:

For what it’s worth, I know people who have met Octavia, and others who have met Kathy, R32. Those people gushed about both women, and in specific ways that seemed very genuine.

r31, have you ever seen 2021's Thunderforce?

Surprised it hasn't bee a career killer. It drove McCarthy to commercials.

One of those movies that needs to be discussed more...

I see there has been no mention of our only Black Best Actress winner…

Another vote for both Regina King and Octavia Spencer.

Jada Pinkett Smith.

Will Smith..on so many levels..

Agree r27, I first noticed Angela Bassett in "Passion Fish" and she was a standout in her brief appearance among many fine performances including the outstanding leads, Woodard and McConnell.

Hattie McDaniel

R34 you can tell, she’s chewing the scenery

Regina King or Regina Hall?

Regina Hall> Regina King

Passion Fish is a favorite of mine. Woodard was outstanding.

Sophie Okonedo deserves consideration, along with Ruth Negga and Naomie Harris.

I had never seen the scene at r34.

Christmas, it’s great.

Kiki Palmer.

Niecy Nash.

I like the 90s gals like Tamala Jones, Vivica Foxx, Kimberly Elise, Tariji,and yes even Miss Jada

It's Beyonce and if you EVEN try to say otherwise it's because you're a RACIST and are trying to DENY Queen Bey the status she has EARNED.

Alfre Woodard. She's one of my favorite actresses in general.

Octavia Spencer is truly very versatile. I like the comparison to Kathy Bates made upthread because that was right on the money. I would just love for them both to do a film together.

I also like Loretta Devine. She stays working. Harms nobody. She needs a good role, though. Like a good supporting role in a film for which she could be nominated for awards. She did a film with Alfre called "Funny Valentines" and gave the most heart rendering performance, it was delicate and bittersweet.

Nia Long, bitches

Miss Don Lemon.

Alfre Woodard and Octavia Spencer easily.

I very much enjoy Sophie Okonedo as well.

Glad to see Alfre Woodard getting the well-deserved nearly unanimous acknowledgement. She's definitely the best.

Oprah Winfrey!

Alfre always comes up on DL anytime anyone mentions Angela or Viola but I never realized how beloved she really was on here until now with almost 90% of the posts naming her. I never realized Alfre was such a DL icon.

I first remember seeing Alfre in the Geena Davis sitcom. She was the Rhoda. And then I loved her in St. Elsewhere. I wonder if she had a contract with NBC? I should check IMDB to see what else I watched her in at that time.

Lupita Nyong'o

Cicely Tyson

Gabourey Sidibe

This thread has run its course now it’s just “Let’s Post Names of Black Actresses”

Mo'Nique

Okay, it’s not one of Whoopi’s Oscar-winning performances, but this scene is great, and I laugh every time I see it.

Lynne looks great in pearls.