Afro-Caribbean celebrities are on top of their game when it comes to TV screens. They’re able to pull off their roles like any actor would, but they are exceptional, versatile, and open-minded, thanks to their background.
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Below, we profile the top 10 Afro-Caribbean celebrities you should know.
Kerry Washington
Kerry was born in 1977 to an American father and a Jamaican mother. She’s an American-born actress, producer, and film director.
She’s famous for her roles in the series Scandal– produced between 2012 and 2018. The actress is famous for her roles in Ray,– produced in 2004, Mr and Mrs Smith, Django Unchained, Little Fires Everywhere, The Last King of Scotland, and Unprisoned, among others.
Her roles and character as Oliver Pope in Scandal earned her The Top Ten Best Dressed TV Character in 2013 by Vanity Fair.
Among the awards to her name, Kerry received the;
- Primetime Emmy Award
- The NAACP Image Award
- The Teen Choice Award.
Moreover, she received nominations for two Golden Globe Awards and four Screen Actor Guild Awards.
As a successful African-American actress, Kerry has received recognition from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and 9 Emmy nominations.
She released her memoir, Thicker Than Water, available on Amazon.
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Carol Christine Hilaria Pounder
Popularly known as CCH Pounder, she was born in Guyana but grew up in the U.S. and the UK. She’s an actress starring in the medical drama series;
- ER– produced between 1994 and 1997
- The Sheild
- Warehouse 13
- Sons of Anarchy
- NCIS: New Orleans.
Pounder also acted as the voice-over of Amanda Waller in Justice League Unlimited.
She received nominations for an
- Emmy
- The MIB Prism Award
- Two Golden Satellite Awards,
- The Genii Excellence in TV Award
- Grammy Award nominations for her role in Grow Old Along With Me, The Best is Yet to Be.
Pounder won the Audio Publishers Association’s Top Honor for Women in the Material World.
In addition to her acting career, Pounder is involved with art galleries. She and her late husband founded the Musee Boribana, a museum featuring collections from Caribbean, African, and African-American artists.
She’s an advocate for post-apartheid and HIV/AIDS issues in New South Africa.
Winston Duke
Duke was born in Tobago but moved to the US at 10. He’s a storyteller and actor. He’s best known for his roles in Black Panther, Us, Avengers, and Person of Interest. The actor won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance.
Lorraine Toussaint
Lorraine was born in Trinidad and Tobago but grew up in the U.S. As an actress, she’s famous for her new roles in;
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- Orange is the New Black
- TV series Forever
- Saving Grace
- Any Day Now
- The Fosters
- Friday Night Lights
- Crossing Jordan
- Law & Order.
As a producer, her focus is to develop young talents and produce Caribbean-based projects. Lorraine pays homage to her hometown regularly, investing in Trinidad’s film industry to train filmmakers and actors.
She received the SAG Award and the Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and an NAACP Image Award nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series. Also, Lorraine was nominated for a TV Guide Award nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series and the Wiley A. Branton Award from the National Bar Association.
Naomie Harris
She was born to a Jamaican mother and a Trinidadian father. She’s a British actress famous for her roles in;
- Moonlight
- Mandela
- White Teeth
- Small Island
- Mandela
- Skyfall
- The Man Who Fell on Earth.
She graduated from Cambridge University and was raised in Jamaican culture. Naomie, the first black woman to play Ms. Moneypenny in Skyfall, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress in Moonlight. She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire by the late Queen Elizabeth in 2017 for her services in drama.
Marianne Jean Baptiste
Marianne is a director, composer, songwriter, writer, singer, and actress, born to an Antiguan mother and a St. Lucian father. She’s famous for her Oscar nomination for her supporting role in Secret & Lies. You may remember her roles in the US TV series Without a Trace and RoboCop.
Derek Luke
This actor was born to a Guyanese father and an American mother. He achieved a breakthrough in his acting career by starring in Antwone Fisher alongside the renowned Denzel Washington. He would go on to appear in;
- Empire
- Miracle at St. Anna
- Captain America
- The First Avenger
- Madia Goes to Jail
- Notorious
He received the Independent Spirit Award for his debut performance in Antwone Fisher.
Letitia Michelle Wright
Leticia migrated to the UK from Guyana as a child. Although she played significant roles in Ready Player, Avengers: Infinity War, and One Guava Island, she became famous globally for her role in Black Panther.
She received a;
- Prime Time Emmy Award nomination for her role in Black Mirror.
- BAFTA Rising Star Award
- Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance
- The British Independent Film Award for Best Joint Lead Performace.
Heather Headley
This black actress grew up in Trinidad until her teenage years, moving to Indiana at 15. She’s a singer, actress, and songwriter. She’s popular for her roles in;
- The Lion King
- Gotta Have It
- Chicago Med
- Sweet Magnolias
- Aida.
As a singer, Heather won a Grammy with her Audience of One album in 2010 and Best Actress in a Musical for the Titular Role of Aida.
Delroy Lindo
He was born to Jamaican parents in England. You’ll remember his roles in
- Malcolm X
- Get Shorty
- Ransom
- The Cider House Rule
- Gone in 60 Seconds.
Lindo received the NAACP Image Award and a Satellite Award. He was nominated for the Drama Desk Award, a Helen Hayes Award, a Tony Award, two Critics Choice Television awards, and three Actors Guild awards.
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These Afro-Caribbean celebrities have worked hard to be where they are today. They’re exceptional, representing the dreams of black people who wish to be like them someday. What’s more? They continue to visit and give back to their various motherlands.
What’s your favorite scene about each of them?
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