7 Black Actors That Don't Have An Acting Oscar That Should

Angela Bassett 93rd Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: Angela Bassett attends the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

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It's not a surprise that Black actors have not gotten the recognition they deserve in the film industry. It wasn't too long ago that the social media movement #OscarsSoWhite -- 2016, to be exact -- shamed the Academy Awards for only having white actors nominated in the acting categories. Unfortunately, not too much has changed since that moment.

Angela Bassett's Viral Oscar Moment

The most recent testament to this ongoing facade is Bassett's snub at the 2023 Oscars. The actress, who has been a part of the industry for more than two decades, did not win for her phenomenal performance as Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Jamie Lee Curtis ended up winning for her performance as Deirdre Beaubeirdre in Everything Everywhere All At Once. Bassett was Marvel's first actor nominated for an Oscar.

While the snub itself was a part of the viral moment, Bassett's disappointed expression was shared countless times online as she was criticized for not getting up and applauding Curtis for her win.

"Angela Bassett not standing up for Jamie Lee Curtis is kinda shady. I get you’re upset for not winning but damn…," one user wrote.

A fan came to her defense writing, "Good for Angela Bassett not smiling nor clapping. Y’all expect Black women to not only be exceptional, but be happy for other who get accolades we deserve over and over."

Other fans noticed that Diane Warren, who is a white woman, was nominated for Best Original Song for "Applause" from Tell It Like a Woman did not stand up or clap for the Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava for their song "Naatu Naatu" for RRR which won the category.

It has not only happened to Black women, but Black men have also faced the same level of rejection. The most recent example was of the late Chadwick Boseman in 2021 when he was nominated for Best Actor for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

Take a look at seven actors who have yet to win an Oscar below:

Angela Bassett

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The world could feel the disappointment on Bassett's face when her name wasn't read as Best Supporting Actress at the 2023 Academy Awards. She was nominated for her role as Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Bassett lost to Jamie Lee Curtis for Everything Everywhere All At Once. Despite not winning that night, Bassett earned an honorable Oscar at the 2024 Governors Awards in January for her contributions to the film industry. Her acceptance of the honorable Oscar made her the second Black actress to receive the award. The first was the late Cicely Tyson in 2018. "But this honor isn't just for or about me," she said in her speech. "What I hope this moment means is that we are taking the necessary steps toward a future in which it is the norm, not the exception, to see and embrace one another's full humanity, stories, and perspectives. This must be our goal, and to always remember that there is room for us all. When we stand together, we win together." Basset was previously nominated for an Oscar in 1994 for "What's Love Got to Do With It."

Samuel L. Jackson

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Samuel L. Jackson not having an Oscar just doesn't feel right, but unfortunately, it's true. Jackson's film credits are a mile long after outstanding performances in Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, Coach Carter, Shaft, and several appearances across Marvel films as Nick Fury. In his three-decade-spanning career, he has been nominated once for an Oscar. In 1995 he was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Pulp Fiction. However, like Angela Bassett, he earned an honorary Oscar in 2022 for his contribution to filmmaking.

Danny Glover

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Danny Glover not having an Oscar feels surreal, but unfortunately, it's true despite his laundry list of great roles. Glover is known for his roles in the Lethal Weapon franchise, The Color Purple (1985), A Raisin In The Sun, and more. He's also had several roles on the small screen including The Naughty Nine, Touch, Brothers and Sisters, and Cold Case Files. He has never been nominated for an acting Oscar. In 2022, he was honored by the Academy with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, but his acting still needs to be recognized.

Taraji P. Henson

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Now, before anyone has to say anything, Henson has shown nothing but versatility in her craft over the years. Her first lead role was in Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself but even prior to that role, she was already making waves in the industry. Her first prominent role was opposite of Tyrese in Baby Boy where she played Yvette. Fast forward seven years later, she scored her first Oscar nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which starred Brad Pitt. Her most recent Oscar-worthy performance was in The Color Purple (2023) as Shug Avery. She was not nominated.

Idris Elba

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Idris Elba's first prominent role in the industry was in The Wire, but the British-born actor proved his acting capabilities on both the small and big screen. On the big screen, he has played Nelson Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, and the Commandant in Beasts of No Nation. The Academy missed the latter for not, at the very least, nominating Elba for his role. He has never been nominated for an Oscar but has been nominated for five Emmys for his television work.

Laurence Fishburne

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Laurence Fishburne has been in the industry for over forty years, delivering commanding performances. But, despite his best efforts, he has not won an Oscar. Fishburne is mostly known for his role as Morpheus in The Matrix franchise, the John Wick franchise, Boyz n the Hood, What's Love Got to Do with It, The Color Purple, and more. He was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 1994 for his role as Ike Turner in What's Love Got to Do with It.

LaKeith Stanfield

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LaKeith Stanfield has proven to be someone who captivates each role he's given. While his credits aren't as long as some of the other actors on this list, his talent has not gone unnoticed. He is mostly known for his role as Darius in Atlanta, but he has since made a huge presence in film. In the past few years, he's been in The Harder They Fall, The Photograph, The Book of Clarence, Judas and the Black Messiah, and many more. The latter earned him his first-ever Oscar nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role. Stanfield played FBI informant Bill O'Neal. He lost the award to his costar, Daniel Kaluuya.