I was browsing the Sowetan website yesterday and found the below list. I was amazed at how little I knew about Black actors/sctresses that had won the Oscars. I always thought that Sidney Poitier was the first black winner...
original article Black Academy Award winners
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The Academy Awards (popularly known as the Oscars) are accolades presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers. Only 12 Black actors/actresses have managed to get this prestigious award. We have compiled pictures and videos of their memorable acceptance speeches.
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Hattie McDaniel for
Gone with the Wind 1939 - Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Hattie McDaniel the first black person (male or female) to win an Oscar;
The first black person (male or female) to be nominated for Best Acting;
The first black actress to win Best Supporting Actress;
The oldest black actress to win an Academy Award (age 44)
Video: 1939 Academy awards - Hattie McDaniel acceptance speech
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Sidney Poitier for
Lilies of the Field
1963 - Best Actor in a Supporting Role
The first black actor to win Best Actor
VIDEO: 1964 Academy Awards - Sidney Poiter’s acceptance speech
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Louis Gossett, Jr for
An Officer and a Gentleman 1982 - Best Actor in a Leading Role
The first black actor to win Best Supporting Actor
VIDEO: 1982 Academy Awards - Louis Gossett, Jr ’s acceptance speech
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Denzel Washington for
Glory 1989 - Best Actor in a Supporting Role
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Whoopi Goldberg for
Ghost 1990 - Best Actress in a Supporting Role
The first black actress to receive two acting nominations overall.
VIDEO: Academy Awards - Whoopi Goldberg’s acceptance speech
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Cuba Gooding, Jr for
Jerry Maguire
1996 - Best Actor in a Supporting Role
The youngest black actor to win an Academy Award (age 29)
VIDEO: Academy Awards - Cuba Gooding, Jr’s acceptance speech
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Denzel Washington for
Training Day
2001 - Best Actor in a Leading Role
The first black actor to receive five acting nominations overall
The first black actor to receive three Best Actor nominations;
The second black actor to win Best Actor;
The oldest black actor to win Best Actor (age 47)
VIDEO: Academy Awards - Denzel Washington ’s acceptance speech
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Halle Berry for
Monster’s Ball 2001 - Best Actress in a Leading Role
The first black actress to win Best Actress
VIDEO: Academy Awards - Halle Berry’s acceptance speech
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Morgan Freeman for
Million Dollar Baby
2004 - Best Actor in a Supporting Role
The oldest black actor to win an Academy Award (age 67)
VIDEO: Academy Awards - Morgan Freeman’s acceptance speech
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Jamie Foxx for
Ray 2004 - Best Actor in a Leading Role
The first black actor to receive two acting nominations in the same year
The youngest Black actor to win Best Actor (age 34)
The first black actor to win for a musical - 2004
VIDEO: Academy Awards - Jamie Foxx’s acceptance speech
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Forest Whitaker for
The Last King of Scotland 2006 - Best Actor in a Leading Role
VIDEO: Academy Awards - Forest Whitaker’s acceptance speech --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jennifer Hudson for
Dreamgirls 2006 - Best Actress in a Supporting Role
The first black actor (male or female) to win an Academy Award for a debut film performance
The youngest black actress to win an Academy Award (age 25)
The first film to feature Black nominees for both Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress
Transcript:
Academy Awards - Jennifer Hudson’s acceptance speech --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mo’Nique for
Precious 2009/10 - Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Second film to feature black nominees for both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress
4th Black actress to win in this category.
VIDEO: Academy Awards - Mo’Nique’s acceptance speech
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Mo'Nique thanked Hattie McDaniel in her acceptance speech. She is a forgotten winner of the prestigious awards.
SO, how many did you know?