List of black Academy Award winners and nominees explained

This list of Black Academy Award winners and nominees is fully current as the 95th Academy Awards, which was held on March 12, 2023.

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Best Actor in a Leading Role
YearNameFilmRoleStatusMilestone / Notes
1958Sidney PoitierThe Defiant OnesNoah CullenFirst Black actor to be nominated for Best Actor.
1963Lilies of the FieldHomer SmithFirst Black man to win a competitive Oscar.
First Bahamian to win Best Actor.
First Black actor to receive two acting nominations (Best Actor).
Youngest Black actor to win Best Actor (age 37).
1970James Earl JonesThe Great White HopeJack Jefferson
1972Paul WinfieldSounderNathan Lee MorganFirst film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actor and Best Actress.
1986Dexter GordonRound MidnightDale TurnerFirst jazz musician to be nominated for Best Actor.
1989Morgan FreemanDriving Miss DaisyHoke Colburn
1992Denzel WashingtonMalcolm XMalcolm X
1993Laurence FishburneWhat's Love Got to Do with ItIke TurnerSecond film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actor and Best Actress.
1994Morgan FreemanThe Shawshank RedemptionEllis Boyd 'Red' Redding
1999Denzel WashingtonThe HurricaneRubin Carter
2001Training DayAlonzo HarrisSecond African-American actor to receive the award for Best Actor.
First time two African-American performers won Oscars in the same year (Halle Berry, Monster's Ball).
First African-American actor to win multiple competitive Academy Awards.
First and only African-American actor to win Academy Awards in both acting categories (lead and supporting).
Will SmithAliMuhammad AliFirst time multiple African-American actors nominated for Best Actor in the same year.
2004Jamie FoxxRayRay CharlesFirst African-American to receive two acting nominations in the same year.
Don CheadleHotel RwandaPaul Rusesabagina
2005Terrence HowardHustle & FlowDJay
2006Forest WhitakerThe Last King of ScotlandIdi Amin
Will SmithThe Pursuit of HappynessChris Gardner
2009Morgan FreemanInvictusNelson Mandela
2012Denzel WashingtonFlightWilliam "Whip" Whitaker
2013Chiwetel Ejiofor12 Years a SlaveSolomon NorthupFirst Black British actor to be nominated for Best Actor.
2016Denzel WashingtonFencesTroy MaxsonFirst Black actor to direct himself to an Oscar nomination (for acting only).
First Black actor to be nominated for both acting and producing (Best Picture) in the same year.
2017Roman J. Israel, Esq.Roman J. IsraelDenzel Washington is the first African-American actor to be nominated two years in a row.
Daniel KaluuyaGet OutChris WashingtonSecond Black British actor to be nominated for Best Actor.
2020Chadwick BosemanMa Rainey's Black BottomLevee GreenFirst African-American actor to receive a posthumous nomination.
Third film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actor and Best Actress.
2021Will SmithKing RichardRichard WilliamsSecond Black actor, and ninth overall, to be nominated for both acting and producing (Best Picture) in the same year.
Denzel WashingtonThe Tragedy of MacbethLord MacbethDenzel Washington has the most nominations for an African-American actor: Best Actor (7 nominations) and Best Supporting Actor (2 nominations).
First African-American actor to receive a nomination for their performance in a Shakespeare adaptation.
2023Colman DomingoRustinBayard RustinFirst gay Black and Afro-Latino actor to be nominated for Best Actor.
Jeffrey WrightAmerican FictionThelonious "Monk" EllisonFirst film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Best Actress in a Leading Role
YearNameFilmRoleStatusMilestone / Notes
1954Dorothy DandridgeCarmen JonesCarmen JonesFirst African-American actress to be nominated for Best Actress.
1972Diana RossLady Sings the BluesBillie HolidayFirst 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 TysonSounderRebecca MorganFirst film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actor and Best Actress.
First time multiple African-American actresses received Best Actress nominations.
1974Diahann CarrollClaudineClaudine
1985Whoopi GoldbergThe Color PurpleCelie JohnsonDebut film performance.
First time multiple African-American actresses received nominations for the same film for both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.
1993Angela BassettWhat's Love Got to Do with ItTina TurnerSecond film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actor and Best Actress.
2001Halle BerryMonster's BallLeticia MusgroveFirst African-American actress to win Best Actress.
First person of color to win Best Actress.
First time two African-American performers won Oscars in the same year (Denzel Washington, Training Day).
2009Gabourey SidibePreciousClaireece "Precious" JonesDebut film performance.
Second film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.
2011The HelpAibileen ClarkSecond African-American actress to receive acting nominations in the lead and supporting categories after Whoopi Goldberg.
Third film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actress and Supporting Actress categories.
2012Quvenzhané WallisBeasts of the Southern WildHushpuppyDebut film performance.
At age 9, youngest ever Best Actress nominee.
First person born in the 21st century to receive an Academy Award nomination.
2016Ruth NeggaLovingMildred LovingFirst Black Irish actress to be nominated.
First Black African (Ethiopia) actress to be nominated for Lead Actress.
2019Cynthia ErivoHarrietHarriet TubmanFirst Black British actress to be nominated.
Second Black woman to receive multiple Oscar nominations in the same year.
Third person nominated for an acting award and a music award (Best Original Song) in the same year.
First Nigerian to receive an Academy Award nomination.
2020Viola DavisMa Rainey's Black BottomMa RaineyMost nominated African-American actress, with four nominations.
First Black actress to receive two nominations for Best Actress.
Third film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actor and Best Actress.
Second time multiple African-American actresses received Best Actress nominations.
Andra DayThe United States vs. Billie HolidayBillie HolidaySecond time multiple African-American actresses received Best Actress nominations.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
YearNameFilmRoleStatusMilestone / Notes
1969Rupert CrosseThe ReiversNedFirst African-American actor to be nominated for Best Supporting Actor.
1981Howard RollinsRagtimeCoalhouse Walker Jr.Debut film performance.
1982Louis Gossett Jr.An Officer and a GentlemanGunnery Sergeant Emil FoleyFirst African-American actor to win Best Supporting Actor.
1984Adolph CaesarA Soldier's StorySgt. Waters
1987Morgan FreemanStreet SmartFast BlackFirst time multiple African-American actors received Best Supporting Actor nominations.
Denzel WashingtonCry FreedomSteve Biko
1989GloryPvt. TripFirst African-American actor to receive two Best Supporting Actor nominations.
1992Jaye DavidsonThe Crying GameDilDebut film performance.
Youngest Black actor to receive an Academy Award nomination (age 24)
First Black British actor to receive an Academy Award nomination.
First out Black actor to receive an Academy Award nomination.
1994Samuel L. JacksonPulp FictionJules Winnfield
1996Cuba Gooding Jr.Jerry MaguireRod TidwellYoungest African-American male actor to win an Academy Award (age 29).
1999Michael Clarke DuncanThe Green MileJohn Coffey
2003Djimon HounsouIn AmericaMateoFirst Black actor born in Africa (specifically in Benin) to receive an Academy Award nomination.
2004Morgan FreemanMillion Dollar BabyEddie 'Scrap-Iron' DuprisOldest African-American actor to win an Academy Award (age 67).
Jamie FoxxCollateralMaxFirst African-American to receive two acting nominations in the same year.
2006Djimon HounsouBlood DiamondSolomon Vandy
Eddie MurphyDreamgirlsJames 'Thunder' EarlyFirst film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress.
2013Barkhad AbdiCaptain PhillipsAbduwali MuseDebut film performance.
Second Black actor born in Africa (specifically in Somalia) to receive an Academy Award nomination.
2016Mahershala AliMoonlightJuanSecond film to feature Black nominees for both Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress.
First Muslim actor to win an Oscar.
First time two African-American performers won in supporting role Oscars in the same year (Viola Davis, Fences).
2018Green BookDon ShirleySecond time two African-American performers won supporting role Oscars in the same year (Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk).
First African-American actor to win two Oscars in the same category.
Second African-American actor to win multiple competitive Academy Awards.
2020Daniel KaluuyaJudas and the Black MessiahFred HamptonFirst Black British actor to win an acting Oscar.
First Black British actor to receive multiple Academy Award nominations.
First film to have multiple black actors to be nominated in the same category for the same film.
Lakeith StanfieldWilliam O'NealFirst film to have multiple black actors to be nominated in the same category for the same film.
Leslie Odom Jr.One Night in Miami...Sam CookeFirst African-American man to receive Academy Award nominations in the same year for acting and songwriting.
Fourth person overall, third Black person, and first Black man nominated for an Academy Award for acting and songwriting in the same year.
2022Brian Tyree HenryCausewayJames Aucoin
2023Sterling K. BrownAmerican FictionClifford "Cliff" EllisonFirst film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
YearNameFilmRoleStatusMilestone / Notes
1940Hattie McDanielGone with the WindMammyFirst African American to win and be nominated for an Academy Award.
1949Ethel WatersPinkyMrs. Dicey Johnson (Pinky's Granny)Second African American to be nominated for an Academy Award.
1959Juanita MooreImitation of LifeAnnie Johnson
1967Beah RichardsGuess Who's Coming to DinnerMrs. Prentice
1983Alfre WoodardCross CreekGeechee
1985Margaret AveryThe Color PurpleShug AveryFirst time multiple African-American actresses from the same film are nominated in the same category.
First film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.
Winfrey's debut film performance.
Oprah WinfreySofia
1990Whoopi GoldbergGhostOda Mae BrownFirst African-American actress to receive two acting nominations.
First African-American actress to receive acting nominations in the lead and supporting categories.
Second African-American actress to win Best Supporting Actress.
1993Rosie PerezFearlessCarla RodrigoFirst Afro-Latina actress to receive an Academy Award nomination.
1996Marianne Jean-BaptisteSecrets & LiesHortense CumberbatchFirst Black British actress to receive an Academy Award nomination.
2002Queen LatifahChicagoMatron Mama MortonFirst female hip hop artist to be nominated for an Academy Award.
2004Sophie OkonedoHotel RwandaTatiana RusesabaginaSecond Black British actress to receive an Academy Award nomination.
2006Jennifer HudsonDreamgirlsEffie WhiteDebut film performance.
Youngest African-American to win an Academy Award (age 25)
First film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress.
2007Ruby DeeAmerican GangsterMama LucasAt age 83, oldest African-American actress to be nominated for an Academy Award.
2008Viola DavisDoubtMrs. MillerFirst time two films have Black performers nominated for Supporting Actress in the same year.
Taraji P. HensonThe Curious Case of Benjamin ButtonQueenieFirst time two films to have Black performers to be nominated for Supporting Actress in the same year.
2009Mo'NiquePreciousMary Lee JohnstonSecond film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.
2011Octavia SpencerThe HelpMinny JacksonThird film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actress and Supporting Actress.
2013Lupita Nyong'o12 Years a SlavePatseyDebut film performance.
First Black African (Kenyan) actress to be nominated.
First Black African to win in any category.
First Black Mexican to be nominated and win in any category.
First Afro-Latina actress to be nominated and win an Academy Award.
2016Viola DavisFencesRose MaxsonFirst time two African-American performers won in supporting role Oscars in the same year (Mahershala Ali, Moonlight).
Naomie HarrisMoonlightPaulaThird Black British actress to receive an Academy Award nomination.
Second film to feature Black nominees for both Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress.
Octavia SpencerHidden FiguresDorothy VaughanThird Black actress following Whoopi Goldberg and Viola Davis to earn multiple Oscar nominations.
First Black actress to be nominated after previously winning.
First time three films have Black performers nominated for Supporting Actress in the same year.
2017The Shape of WaterZelda FullerFirst Black actress to be nominated twice after previously winning.
First Black actress to be nominated two years in a row.
Mary J. BligeMudboundFlorence JacksonFirst Black woman to receive multiple Oscar nominations in the same year.
First person nominated for an acting award and a music award (Best Original Song) in the same year.
2018Regina KingIf Beale Street Could TalkSharon RiversSecond time two African-American performers won supporting Oscars in the same year (Mahershala Ali, Green Book).
2021Ariana DeBoseWest Side StoryAnitaFirst Black, African-American, Afro-Latina queer actress to be nominated and win in any acting category.
Aunjanue EllisKing RichardOracene "Brandy" Price
2022Angela BassettQueen RamondaFirst actor nominated for a Marvel Cinematic Universe film.
First actress nominated for a comic book film.
Third African-American actress to receive acting nominations in the lead and supporting categories after Whoopi Goldberg and Viola Davis.
Fourth Black actress to be nominated twice.[1]
2023Da'Vine Joy RandolphThe HoldoversMary Lamb
Danielle BrooksThe Color PurpleSofia

Best Animated Feature

Academy Award for Best Animated Feature
YearNameFilmStatusMilestone / Notes
2018Peter RamseyShared with Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Bob Persichetti & Rodney Rothman
First African American to be nominated for and to win for Animated Feature.
2023Kemp PowersShared with Joaquim Dos Santos, Justin K. Thompson, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Amy Pascal.

Best Cinematography

Academy Award for Best Cinematography
YearNameFilmStatusMilestone / Notes
1998Remi AdefarasinElizabethFirst Black person to be nominated for Best Cinematography.
2016Bradford YoungArrivalFirst African American to be nominated in the category.

Best Costume Design

Academy Award for Best Costume Design
YearNameFilmStatusMilestone / Notes
1992Ruth E. CarterMalcolm XFirst African American to be nominated for Best Costume Design.
1997Amistad
2004Sharen DavisRay
2006Dreamgirls
2018Ruth E. Carter[2] Black PantherFirst African American to win for Best Costume Design.
2021Paul TazewellWest Side StoryFirst African American male costume designer to be nominated for Best Costume Design.
2022Ruth E. CarterFirst African American woman to win any two competitive Academy Awards.[3]

Best Director

Academy Award for Best Director
YearNameFilmStatusMilestone / Notes
1991John SingletonBoyz n the HoodFirst African American to be nominated for Best Director.
Youngest person ever nominated in this category (age 24).
2009Lee DanielsPreciousFirst African American director to earn a Best Picture nomination.
2013Steve McQueen12 Years a SlaveFirst Black director whose film won an Oscar for Best Picture.
First Black British person to earn a Best Director nomination.
2016Barry JenkinsMoonlightSecond Black director to direct a Best Picture-winning film.
First African-American director to direct a Best Picture-winning film.
2017Jordan PeeleGet OutFirst African American to earn a Best Director nomination and a Best Picture nomination for a debut film.
2018Spike LeeBlacKkKlansman

Best Documentary Feature

Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature
YearNameFilmStatusMilestone / Notes
1987Callie Crossley (director/producer)Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Years/Bridge to Freedom 1965First African American to be nominated for Best Documentary Feature.
Shared with James A. DeVinney.
1990Yvonne Smith (producer)Adam Clayton PowellShared with Richard Kilberg.
1993William Miles (director/producer)
1997Spike Lee (director/producer)
Samuel D. Pollard (producer)
4 Little Girls
2004Karolyn Ali (producer)
2012T. J. Martin (director)UndefeatedFirst African American to win in this category.
2016Ava DuVernay (director/producer)13th
Roger Ross Williams (director/producer)Life, AnimatedShared with Julie Goldman.
Raoul Peck (director/producer)
Hébert Peck (producer)
I Am Not Your NegroFirst Haitians to be nominated in this category.
Ezra Edelman (director/producer)
2017Yance Ford (director/producer)Strong IslandFirst openly transgender man to be nominated for any Academy Award.
First openly transgender director to be nominated for any Academy Award.
Shared with Joslyn Barnes.
2018RaMell Ross (director/producer)Hale County This Morning, This EveningShared with Joslyn Barnes and Su Kim.
2020Garrett Bradley (director/producer)
Lauren Domino (producer)
TimeShared with Kellen Quinn.
2021Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson (director)Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)Shared with Joseph Patel, Robert Fyvolent and David Dinerstein.
Stanley Nelson (director/producer)
Traci A. Curry (director/producer)
Attica
2023Moses Bwayo (director)Shared with Christopher Sharp and John Battsek

Best Documentary Short Subject

Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject
YearNameFilmStatusMilestone / Notes
2000Leelai DemozShared with Eric Simonson.
First African American to be nominated for Best Documentary Short Subject.
2009Roger Ross WilliamsMusic by PrudenceShared with Elinor Burkett.
First African American to win Best Documentary Short Subject.
2020Kris BowersA Concerto Is a ConversationShared with Ben Proudfoot.
Sophia Nahli Allison
Janice Duncan
A Love Song for LatashaFirst African American women to be nominated for Best Documentary Short Subject.
2023Kris BowersThe Last Repair ShopFirst African American person to be nominated twice for Best Documentary Short Subject.
Shared with Ben Proudfoot.
Christine TurnerThe Barber of Little RockShared with John Hoffman.

Best Film Editing

Academy Award for Best Film Editing
YearNameFilmStatusMilestone / Notes
1969Hugh A. RobertsonMidnight CowboyFirst African American to be nominated for Best Editing.
2016Joi McMillonMoonlightFirst African American woman to be nominated for Best Editing.
Shared with Nat Sanders.

Best International Feature Film

In the International Feature Film category (formerly known as Best Foreign Language Film), although the Oscar is presented to and accepted by the film's director, the submitting country is officially credited as the nominee, not the director.[4] The following is a list of films directed by Black people which have been nominated for Best International Feature Film.

Academy Award for Best International Feature Film
YearDirectorCountryFilmStatusMilestone / Notes
1995Rachid BoucharebAlgeriaDust of LifeFirst Black director whose film was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film.
2006Days of GloryFirst African director to have multiple films nominated for Best Foreign Language film.
2010Outside the LawFirst African director whose films have received three nominations for Best Foreign Language Film.
2013Abderrahmane SissakoMauritaniaTimbuktu
2019FranceLes MiserablesFirst non-African film directed by a Black director to be nominated in this category.

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling
YearNameFilmStatusMilestone / Notes
2020Mia Neal
Jamika Wilson[5]
Ma Rainey's Black BottomFirst African Americans to be nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
Shared with Sergio López-Rivera.
2021Carla Farmer
Stacey Morris
Coming 2 AmericaShared with Mike Marino.
2022Camille Friend[6] Shared with Joel Harlow.

Best Music, Original Score

Academy Award for Best Original Score
YearNameFilmStatusMilestone / Notes
1961Duke EllingtonParis BluesFirst African American to be nominated for Best Original Score.
Nominated for Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture.
1964Calvin JacksonThe Unsinkable Molly BrownShared with Robert Armbruster, Leo Arnaud, Jack Elliott, Jack Hayes & Leo Shuken.
1967Quincy JonesIn Cold Blood
1972Isaac HayesShaftNominated for Best Music, Original Dramatic Score.
1972Gil AskeyLady Sings the BluesFirst African American to be nominated in the Scoring Original Song Score and/or Adaptation (which is different from Best Original Score category).
1978Quincy JonesThe WizFirst African American to be nominated in the Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score (which is different from Best Original Score category).
1984PrincePurple RainFirst African American winner of Best Original Song Score (which is different from Best Original Score category); this category was retired afterwards.
1985Quincy Jones
Andrae Crouch
Caiphus Semenya
The Color PurpleShared nomination with 9 other composers.
Semenya became the first Black South African to be nominated for an Academy Award.
1986Herbie HancockRound MidnightFirst African-American winner of Best Original Score.
1987Jonas GwangwaCry FreedomShared with George Fenton.
2018Terence BlanchardBlacKkKlansman
2020Da 5 BloodsFirst African American to receive multiple solo nominations for Best Original Score.
First time multiple African Americans received a nomination for Best Original Score in the same year.
Jon BatisteSoulFirst time multiple African Americans received a nomination for Best Original Score in the same year.
Shared with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

Best Music, Original Song

Academy Award for Best Original Song
YearNameFilmSongStatusMilestone / Notes
1967Quincy Jones
Bob Russell
Banning"The Eyes of Love"First African Americans to be nominated for Best Original Song.
1968For Love of Ivy"For Love of Ivy"First African Americans to be nominated twice for Best Original Song.
1972Isaac HayesShaft"Theme from Shaft"First African-American winner for Best Original Song.
First African-American to win a non-acting award.
1981Lionel RichieEndless Love"Endless Love"
1983Irene CaraFlashdance"Flashdance... What a Feeling"First African-American woman to win a non-acting Academy Award.
Shared with Keith Forsey & Giorgio Moroder.
1984Stevie WonderThe Woman in Red"I Just Called to Say I Love You"
Ray Parker Jr.Ghostbusters"Ghostbusters"
1985Lionel RichieWhite Nights"Say You, Say Me"
Quincy Jones
Lionel Richie
The Color Purple"Miss Celie's Blues"Shared nomination with Rod Temperton
Richie is the first (and to date, only) Black person to receive multiple Best Original Song nominations in the same year.
1987Jonas GwangwaCry Freedom"Cry Freedom"First Black South African to be nominated in this category.
Shared with George Fenton.
1988Lamont DozierBuster"Two Hearts"Shared with Phil Collins.
1993Janet Jackson
Jimmy Jam
Terry Lewis
Poetic Justice"Again"
James IngramBeethoven's 2nd"The Day I Fall In Love"Shared with Cliff Magness and Carole Bayer Sager.
1994Junior"Look What Love Has Done"Shared with James Newton Howard, Carole Bayer Sager, and Patty Smyth.
2005Frayser Boy
Juicy J
DJ Paul
Hustle & Flow"It's Hard out Here for a Pimp"First African-American rappers to win an Academy Award.
2006Siedah GarrettDreamgirls"Love You I Do"Shared with Henry Krieger.
2007Jamal Joseph
Charles Mack
Tevin Thomas
August Rush"Raise It Up"
2011Carlinhos Brown
Siedah Garrett
Rio"Real in Rio"Shared with Sergio Mendes.
Garrett is the most nominated African-American female songwriter (two nominations).
Brown is the first Black Latin American nominated for Best Original Song.
2013Pharrell WilliamsDespicable Me 2"Happy"
2014Common
John Legend
Selma"Glory"
2015DaHeala
The Weeknd
Fifty Shades of Grey"Earned It"Shared with Belly and Stephan Moccio.
The Weeknd & DaHeala are the first Black Canadians nominated for Best Original Song.
2017Mary J. Blige
Raphael Saadiq
Taura Stinson
Mudbound"Mighty River"Blige is also the first Black woman to receive multiple Academy Award nominations in the same year.
First person nominated for an Academy Award for acting and writing an original song in the same year.
CommonMarshall"Stand Up for Something"Shared with Diane Warren.
2018Kendrick Lamar
Sounwave
SZA
Anthony Tiffith
Black Panther"All the Stars"
2019Cynthia Erivo
Joshuah Brian Campbell
Harriet"Stand Up"Second Black woman to receive multiple Academy Award nominations in the same year.
Second person nominated for an Academy Award for acting and writing an original song in the same year.
2020H.E.R.
D'Mile
Tiara Thomas
Judas and the Black Messiah"Fight For You"
Leslie Odom Jr.One Night in Miami..."Speak Now"First Black man to receive Academy Award nominations in the acting and music categories.
Third person nominated for an Academy Award for acting and writing an original song in the same year.
Shared with Sam Ashworth.
CelesteThe Trial of the Chicago 7"Hear My Voice"Shared with Daniel Pemberton.
2021Beyoncé
DIXSON
King Richard"Be Alive"
2022Ryan Coogler
Rihanna
Tems[7]
"Lift Me Up"Shared with Ludwig Göransson.
2023Jon BatisteAmerican Symphony"It Never Went Away"Shared with Dan Wilson

Best Picture

Academy Award for Best Picture
YearNameFilmStatusMilestone / Notes
1985Quincy JonesThe Color PurpleFirst African American producer whose film was nominated for Best Picture.
2009Lee DanielsPreciousFirst African American director whose film was nominated for Best Picture.
First time two films with African American producers were nominated for Best Picture.
Broderick JohnsonThe Blind Side
2012Reginald HudlinDjango Unchained
2013Steve McQueen12 Years a SlaveFirst Black director and producer to win Best Picture.
2014Oprah WinfreySelmaFirst Black female producer nominated for Best Picture.
2016Denzel WashingtonFencesFirst time that three films with Black producers were nominated for Best Picture.
Pharrell WilliamsHidden Figures
Kimberly StewardManchester by the Sea
2017Jordan PeeleGet Out
2016Barry JenkinsMoonlight
2018Spike Lee
Jordan Peele
BlacKkKlansmanThe first Best Picture nominee to have more than one African American producer.
Peele is the first African American producer to be nominated for Best Picture twice.
Shared with Jason Blum, Raymond Mansfield, and Sean McKittrick
2020Shaka King
Charles D. King
Ryan Coogler
Judas and the Black MessiahFirst Best Picture nominee to have all black producers.
2021Will SmithKing RichardShared with Tim White and Trevor White.
2023Cord Jefferson
Jermaine Johnson
American FictionShared with Ben LeClair and Nikos Karamigios.

Best Production Design

Academy Award for Best Production Design
YearNameFilmStatusMilestone / Notes
2018Hannah BeachlerBlack PantherFirst African American to be nominated for and to win Best Production Design.
Shared with Jay Hart.

Best Short Film (Animated)

Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film
YearNameFilmStatusMilestone / Notes
2017Kobe BryantDear BasketballShared nomination with Glen Keane.
First African American to win Short Film (Animated).
First former professional athlete to be nominated for and to win an Academy Award in any category.
First person to win both an Olympic medal and an Academy Award.
2019Matthew A. Cherry
Karen Rupert Toliver
Hair LoveCherry is the second former professional athlete to be nominated for and to win an Academy Award in any category.
Toliver is the first Black woman to win Short Film (Animated).

Best Short Film (Live Action)

Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film
YearNameFilmStatusMilestone / Notes
1991David MasseyLast Breeze of SummerFirst African American nominated for Short Film (Live Action).
1995Dianne HoustonTuesday Morning RideFirst African-American woman nominated for Short Film (Live Action).
Shared with Joy Ride.
2014James LucasThe Phone CallFirst Black person to win in this category.
Shared with Mat Kirkby.
2017Kevin Wilson Jr.My Nephew Emmett
2020Travon FreeTwo Distant StrangersFirst Black-American to win in this category
Shared with Martin Desmond Roe.
2023Misan HarrimanThe AfterShared with Nicky Bentham.

Best Sound

Academy Award for Best Sound
YearNameFilmStatusMilestone / Notes
1978Willie D. BurtonThe Buddy Holly StoryFirst African American to be nominated for Best Sound.
1980Altered StatesFirst African American to be nominated multiple times for Best Sound.
1983WarGames
1988BirdFirst African American to win Best Sound.
1989Russell Williams IIGlorySecond African American to win Best Sound.
1990Dances with WolvesFirst African American to win multiple Academy Awards in any category.
First and only African American to win consecutive awards in any category.
1994Willie D. BurtonThe Shawshank Redemption
1999The Green Mile
2006DreamgirlsFrom 2003 through 2019, the Best Sound category was known as "Best Sound Mixing". The third African American to win two competitive Academy Awards.
2023Oppenheimer

Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay
YearNameFilmAdapted FromStatusMilestone / Notes
1972Lonne Elder IIISounderSounder
by William H. Armstrong
First African-American nominee for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay).
First African-American nominated for screenwriting, along with Suzanne de Passe for Lady Sings the Blues nominated the same year for Best Writing (Original Screenplay).
1984Charles FullerA Soldier's StoryA Soldier's Play
by Fuller
2009Geoffrey FletcherPreciousPush
by Sapphire
First African American to win a screenplay Academy Award (Adapted Screenplay).
2013John Ridley12 Years a SlaveFirst African-American writer to have written a film that won Best Picture.
2016Barry Jenkins
Tarell Alvin McCraney
MoonlightIn Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue
by McCraney
First film to have two African-American screenwriters nominated and to win.
Second film to have African-American writers that won Best Picture.
First time two films written by African-Americans were nominated in the same year.
August WilsonFencesFences
by Wilson
First African-American writer to receive a posthumous nomination in a writing category.
First time two films written by African-Americans were nominated in the same year.
2017Virgil Williams
Dee Rees
MudboundMudbound
by Hillary Jordan
Rees is the second Black woman to be nominated for a Screenplay Oscar.[8]
Rees is the first black woman to be nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay.
2018Kevin Willmott
Spike Lee
BlacKkKlansmanBlack Klansman
by Ron Stallworth
Shared with Charlie Wachtel & David Rabinowitz.
Lee is the first Black screenwriter to be nominated for both Best Original and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Lee is the first Black filmmaker to win a competitive Oscar after receiving an Honorary Academy Award.
Along with Barry Jenkins nominated the same year for If Beale Street Could Talk, Lee and Jenkins are the first two black people to be nominated for screenwriting twice.
Barry JenkinsIf Beale Street Could TalkIf Beale Street Could Talk
by James Baldwin
First Black person to have two nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Along with Spike Lee nominated the same year for BlacKkKlansman, Jenkins and Lee are the first two Black people to be nominated for screenwriting twice.
2020Kemp PowersOne Night in Miami...One Night in Miami
by Powers
2023Cord JeffersonAmerican FictionErasure
by Percival Everett

Best Writing (Original Screenplay)

Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay
YearNameFilmStatusMilestone / Notes
1972Suzanne de PasseLady Sings the BluesShared nomination with co-writers Chris Clark and Terence McCloy.
First African-American nominee for Best Writing (Original Screenplay).
First African-American nominated for screenwriting, along with Lonne Elder III for Sounder nominated the same year for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay).
First African-American woman nominated for screenwriting.
First African-American woman nominated for Best Writing (Original Screenplay).
1989Spike LeeDo the Right ThingFirst African-American man nominated for Best Writing (Original Screenplay).
1991John SingletonBoyz n the HoodYoungest person to be nominated in this category (age 24).
2017Jordan PeeleGet OutFirst African-American to win Best Writing (Original Screenplay).
First African-American to be nominated for and to win Best Writing (Original Screenplay) for a debut film.
2020Shaka King
Kenny Lucas
Keith Lucas
Judas and the Black MessiahFirst film to have multiple African-American screenwriters nominated for Best Original Screenplay.
Shared with Will Berson.

Special awards

Special Awards
YearNameAward
1947James BaskettAcademy Special Award, for his characterization of Uncle Remus in Song of the South.
First Black man to receive an Oscar.
1995Quincy JonesJean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
2001Sidney PoitierAcademy Honorary Award, "for his extraordinary performances and unique presence on the screen and for representing the industry with dignity, style and intelligence".
2011James Earl JonesAcademy Honorary Award, "for his legacy of consistent excellence and uncommon versatility"
Oprah WinfreyJean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
2014Harry Belafonte
2015Spike LeeAcademy Honorary Award, "filmmaker, educator, motivator, iconoclast, artist […] [and] a champion of independent film and an inspiration to young filmmakers"
2017Academy Honorary Award, “A resolutely independent and influential film pioneer who has chronicled the lives of Black Americans with eloquence and insight.”
2018Cicely TysonAcademy Honorary Award, "Whose unforgettable performances and personal integrity have inspired generations of filmmakers, actors and audiences"
2020Tyler PerryJean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
2021Danny Glover
Samuel L. JacksonAcademy Honorary Award, "Sam Jackson is a cultural icon whose dynamic work has resonated across decades and generations and audiences worldwide"
2022Euzhan PalcyAcademy Honorary Award, "a pioneering filmmaker whose groundbreaking significance in international cinema is cemented in film history"
2023Angela BassettAcademy Honorary Award, "Across her decades-long career, Angela Bassett has continued to deliver transcendent performances that set new standards in acting"

Nominees by decade (acting categories)

Decade1930s1940s1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020s
Lead Actor0011224855
Lead Actress0010311242
Supp. Actor0001064535
Supp. Actress1111032785
Total113351211222017

See also

References

General sources

Notes and References

  1. News: Cohn . Gabe . 2023-03-12 . Oscars 2023 Winners: The Complete List . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-03-13 . 0362-4331.
  2. News: Saad . Nardine . February 24, 2019 . Oscars 2019: 'Black Panther's' Ruth E. Carter makes the record book with costume design win . Los Angeles Times .
  3. Web site: 2023-03-13 . Ruth Carter makes history as the first Black woman to take home two Academy Awards . 2023-03-13 . Los Angeles Times . en-US.
  4. Web site: 93rd Academy Awards of Merit . Oscars.org . March 21, 2021 . 20 . January 12, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200502044737/https://oscars.org/sites/oscars/files/93aa_rules.pdf . May 2, 2020 . live .
  5. News: Giardina . Carolyn . April 25, 2021 . Oscars: Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson Make History With Makeup and Hairstyling Win . Hollywood Reporter .
  6. News: Cohn . Gabe . 2023-03-12 . Oscars 2023 Winners: The Complete List . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-03-13 . 0362-4331.
  7. News: Cohn . Gabe . 2023-03-12 . Oscars 2023 Winners: The Complete List . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-03-13 . 0362-4331.
  8. Web site: Rachel Withers . The 2018 Oscar nominees include these historic firsts . January 23, 2018 . Slate.com . January 24, 2018.