Fine and Performing Arts

Know any famous African-Americans that belong on this list? Please send your name requests to bhmaainfo at gmail dot com.

Marian Anderson (Singer; First Black Soloist for Metropolitan Opera Theater in New York)

Louis Armstrong (Jazz Musician)

Angela Bassett (Actress)

Harry Belafonte (Actor/Musician/Activist)

Halle Berry (Actress/Model)

Elizabeth Catlett (Sculptor/Printmaker)

Nat King Cole (Singer/Musician)

Bill Cosby (Actor/Comedian/Educator)

Ray Charles (Singer/Musician)

Loreta Devine (Actress)

Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis (Actress/Actor)

Duke Ellington (Musician)

Giancarlo Esposito (Actor)

Laurence Fishburne (Actor)

Aretha Franklin (Motown/Gospel Singer)

Robin Givens (Actress)

Danny Glover (Actor/Activist)

Whoopi Goldberg (Actress/Comedian/Singer)

Cuba Gooding, Jr. (Actress)

Jasmine Guy (Actress)

Billie Holiday (Blues Singer)

David Allen Grier (Actor/Comedian)

Whitney Houston (Actress/Singer)

Michael Jackson (Singer)

Samuel L. Jackson (Actor)

James Earl Jones (Actor)

Quincy Jones (Music Producer/Director/Songwriter)

Queen Latifah (Actress/Rapper)

Spike Lee (Movie Director/Producer/Actor)

Nia Long (Actress)

Oscar Michaveux (Writer/Producer/Actor)

Eddie Murphy (Actor/Comedian)

Mario Van Peebles (Actor/Director)

Leontyne Price (Opera Singer)

Gertrude "Ma" Rainey (Blues Singer)

Sidney Poiter (Actor)

Ving Rhames (Actor)

Della Rheese (Gospel Singer/Actress)

Paul Robeson (Singer/Actor/Activist)

Diana Ross (Singer/Actress)

Sinbad (Actor/Comedian)

Bessie Smith (Singer)

Robert Townsend (Actor/Comedian)

Cicely Tyson (Actor/Singer)

Courtney B. Vance (Actor)

Thomas "Fats" Waller (Musician)

Dionne Warwick (Singer)

Denzel Washington (Actor)

Vanessa Williams (Actress/Singer)