Top 20 Black Actors/Actresses Under 40

Although she's Dominican, I would still consider her a part of black cinema. Zoe has really evolved from good supporting roles (Drumline, Guess Who) to leading lady status in HUGE blockbusters (Avatar, Star Trek, Pirates of the Carribbean). I would not say her acting is magnificent, but she really is more than just a pretty face and has shown some great range lately (underrated performance in Avatar!!)
Next up for her is the action revenge flick Columbiana and Star Trek sequel.

Has really solidified himself as the number one black actor under 40. I would not call him the next Denzel, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him holding an oscar a couple years from now. The Hurt Locker really put him on the map and divided him from just a good black actor to a good actor period. Mackie first gained attention as the hated Papa Doc in 8 mile and continued to get bigger roles year after year. His best performances are in The Hurt Locker, Notorious(controversial, but I loved his performance as Tupac), and Brother to Brother. His best is yet to come as he prepares to play Buddy Bolden in the upcoming biopic.

She could push for Zoe Saldana's spot at number one if it wasn't for the sad fact that she really only gets supporting acting roles. However she still manages to put the screen time she does get to work in great performances in Ray, The Last King of Scotland, etc. She has showed real talent in lead acting roles lately as well (Night Catches Us, Lakeview Terrace).

Okay, some would say she should be higher for the fact that she has an oscar, which nobody else on this list does. However, she's only acted in 4 films and none of those were leading roles. I will still give J-Hud props though, her performance in Dreamgirls was great but I still would like to see more, but I can understand music is her first love and she's mainly pursuing that. I am still looking forward to her portrayal of Minnie, Nelson Mandela's wife in the upcoming film that could return her to oscar buzz.

Thandie Newton first gained audiences attention in Beloved and has since gotten better and better. She can seem to disappear from the spotlight at times but when she is at her best she is oscar worthy. I'm not even gonna get into how she was robbed of at least an oscar nomination for Crash. She's starred in big movies as well like Mission: Impossible 2 and W.

This stunning actress got her big break in one scene in Hitch, but ever since has been on a role. From Deja Vu opposite Denzel to her hugely underrated performance in Precious, Paula Patton has both beauty and talent. She shows a great combination of both acting abiltiy and box office appeal. She will REALLY start to blow up and acquire leading roles after Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol comes out.

Okay! Before everyone starts ripping me for this, the simple fact is that this list is a combination of acting talent and stardom. Beyonce has shown that she can be a movie star too, in big roles in big movies like Austin Powers in Goldmember and Dreamgirls (underrated performance!). Also say what you want but Beyonce was great in Cadillac Records. Supposedly Clint Eastwood wants her in A Star Is Born remake and you know if he wants her, she has talent.

Elba played the GREAT Stringer Bell in HBO's legendary series "The Wire" and once again is getting praise for his portrayal of the title character in "Luther", for which he is nominated for a golden globe and emmy. Elba does most of his best work on television but has starred in big movies of late, like Takers and The Losers. Will be in upcoming action flicks Prometheus and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.

Derek Luke broke out in Denzel Washington's Antwone Fisher and continued with success in popular sports films such as Friday Night Lights (was GREAT as Boobie Miles) and Glory Road. His most recent success was in Miracle St. Anna and Notorious, playing Sean Puffy Combs.

Ejiofor has both shown great acting ability and starred in high grossing movies like Salt, American Gangster, and 2012. He really gained critics attention after his great performance in Dirty Pretty Things. He also gained a Golden Globe nomination for playing the drag queen in Kinky Boots.