Richest Black Actors In Hollywood

The multi-billion movie industry, Hollywood, has done an excellent job of turning ordinary people with talent into millionaires. As the largest movie industry in the world, it has provided actors with platforms and rewarded them adequately for their talent.

While there is still a lot left to be desired from these rewards in terms of payment and opportunity inequality, the movie industry has indeed come a long way.

Below is a list of the richest Black actors in Hollywood and how much they're worth. These actors have put in decades of work into the industry, and have proven to be worth their onions.

Emmitt Perry Jr, popularly known as Tyler Perry, is an African-American producer, writer, actor, movie director, and comedian. He is the first black man to open a fully black-owned studio in America, as well as one of the most popular faces in black entertainment.

His studio, Tyler Perry Studios, which he started in 2006, is the largest in the United States - contributing notably to Atlanta's growing economy. In 2011, he was named "highest-paid man in entertainment" by Forbes, after a record $130 million in earnings between May 2010 and May 2011. 

The New Orleans native has been active in the movie industry for over 28 years and is one of the most prominent faces in the entertainment industry, popularly known for creating and portraying the Madea franchise.

Beyond being a producer and director, Perry has also starred in other popular movies like Star Trek, Alex Cross, Gone Girl, Vice, A Fall From Grace, among others. He has also starred in mainstream television productions like The Haves and Have Nots, Meet the Browns, and House of Payne. 

In 2019, Tyler Perry launched his new studio in Atlanta, a $250 million mammoth facility in Southwest Atlanta. The over 330-acre space, which he purchased for $30 million, served as a former US army base before Perry converted it into the largest studio in Hollywood. The star isn't done yet, as it has been revealed that he has again purchased over 130 acres in Atlanta for a proposed expansion of the Tyler Perry Studios. He intends to include an entertainment district complete with theatres, retail shops, and restaurants. Perry will also purchase 37 acres of land adjacent to his studios.

After over 26 years in the movie industry, the 51-year old joined the list of black billionaires last year, as his net worth reached $1 billion, making him the 15th wealthiest Black man in the world, and the 7th richest African-American.

2. Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel Leroy Jackson is one of the most prolific actors in Hollywood. Known for his profound lines and effortless swag, Samuel Jackson is one of the most successful actors of his generation, as well as the highest-grossing actor of all time as all the films in which he has appeared, have collectively grossed over $27 billion worldwide.

The 72-year old film legend has appeared in over 150 films and received numerous awards and accolades during his 48-year presence in Hollywood. Also, he had appeared in movies like Goodfella, Pulp Fiction, The Hitman's Bodyguard, and Jurassic Park, all of which were major hits.

He garnered major respect as a skilled actor for his roles in Pulp Fiction, Django Unchained, and Snakes on a Plane.

Samuel L Jackson’s net worth is $250 million, making him the second-richest black actor in Hollywood.

3. Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman is an American actor, film producer, television producer, voice actor, and director.

With over 50 years of working in the movie industry, Freeman is one of the best in the game, bagging numerous awards for his excellence at his craft, including an Oscar for his role in ‘Million Dollar Baby’, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Having spent over 50 years in the industry, the 81-year old is one of the most respected actors in Hollywood. His breakout role was in the 1987 crime/drama, Street Smart, where he portrayed a hustler, Fast Black. Morgan Freeman has shown his versatility as an actor through the years, as well as his ability to maintain relevance over decades.

He portrayed former South African President, Nelson Mandela, in Invictus. The role earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He has an estimated net worth of $250 million.

4. Will Smith 

Willard Carroll Smith Jr., popularly known as Will Smith, is an actor, rapper, and producer. He entered the entertainment industry as a rapper in the late 1980s under the stage name "The Fresh Prince".

His hit song, ‘Parents just don’t understand’ featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff gained a lot of attention which heralded his entry into the movie industry. His first role was in NBC’s hit television series, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, where he played himself alongside other stars like Tatyana Ali before he proceeded to star in other blockbusters.

With his films grossing over $8 billion worldwide, he has been ranked by Forbes as the most bankable star worldwide. He has eight consecutive films gross over $100 million at the domestic box office. Also, another eleven consecutive films gross over $150 million internationally.

Popular movies he starred in are the Bad Boys franchise, Men in Black franchise, Hancock, The Pursuit of Happiness, I am Legend, Aladdin, and Suicide squad. He has a net worth of $250 million.

5. Denzel Washington

Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. is a critically acclaimed American actor and producer. Unarguably one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood, Denzel has starred in over 61 movies, portraying diverse roles like Muslim human rights activist Malcolm X in Malcolm X; South African activist Steve Biko in Cry Freedom; and drug kingpin Frank Lucas in American Gangster.

Regarded as a cultural icon, Denzel received the DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award at the 73rd Golden Globe Awards. 

After 35 years in the film industry, the 66-year old has a net worth of $220 million.

6. Eddie Murphy

Edward Regan Murphy is an award-winning American actor, comedian, and singer.

His films have grossed over $3.5 billion in the United States and Canada box office and over $6.7 billion worldwide. In 2015, Murphy was the sixth-highest-grossing actor in the United States. He has received numerous Golden Globe Award nominations and won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting actor.

In 2015, he received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Murphy is known to take on comedic roles in movies and also playing multiple roles in some films. He played multiple roles in the popular Coming to America, Vampire in Brooklyn, and the Nutty Professor films. His net worth sits at an impressive $160 million.

7. Jamie Foxx

Marlon Bishop, known around the world as Jamie Foxx, is an actor, producer, singer, comedian, and Hollywood sweetheart.

In 2004, he played Ray Charles in the biographical film Ray, which earned him an Academy Award, BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild Award, Critics’ Choice Movie Award, and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.

He has had a string of box office successes and was reportedly paid $10 million for his role as Ricardo Tubbs in 2006 action/crime ‘Miami Vice’. The 53-year old has also starred in other movies such as The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and Just Mercy. His net worth is $100 million.