Danny Glover
Despite having shown considerable range in action (the Lethal Weapon series), comedy (in The Royal Tenenbaums) and drama ( in The Color Purple)—veteran actor Danny Glover has never been recognized with an Academy Award nomination
(AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
Richard Pryor
The late Richard Pryor will always be best known for his comedy and stand up films, but his strong dramatic work in Lady Sings the Blues and Blue Collar was taken seriously by Hollywood’s establishment.
(AP Photo)
Pam Grier
Her comeback lead role in Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown proved to audiences that she was more than a blaxploitation era sex symbol, but she nevertheless didn’t receive a nomination.
(AP Photo/David Goldman)
Wesley Snipes
Before legal troubles and bad direct-to-DVD movies hurt his career, Snipes made a very strong impression with his early dramatic work in Jungle Fever and especially, New Jack City. Perhaps his new role in Brooklyn’s Finest will appeal to Oscar…
(AP Photo/Mark Mainz)
Harry Belafonte
This living legend along with a select few others (Sidney Poitier, Dorothy Dandrige and Sammy Davis, Jr.) was a trailblazer in the 50s and 60s, getting starring roles in Hollywood films. Sadly his work in Odds Against Tomorrow and Carmen Jones remains under-appreciated.
(AP Photo/Keystone, Urs Flueeler)
Nia Long
Nia Long has a long string of terrific film roles to her credit including, Boyz N the Hood, Soul Food and Love Jones. She’s found mainstream success in hits like Big Momma’s House but for now Oscar eludes her.
(AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
The Hughes Brothers
Allen Hughes and Albert Hughes have earned many fans and strong reviews for their edgy, urban films like Dead Presidents and Menace II Society, but that have yet to be invited to the Academy Awards.
(Photo by Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup)
Ossie Davis
Davis, who passed away in 2005, is probably best known for his many roles in Spike Lee “joints” (Do The Right Thing, Get On the Bus and Jungle Fever, to name a few) and his long creative and romantic partnership with acclaimed actress Ruby Dee. Sadly, Davis’ long career as an actor and director was never been honored at the Oscars.
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Jada Pinkett-Smith
Although her stellar work is often overshadowed by her twice nominated husband Will Smith, if Jada Pinkett-Smith continues to give performances like the one she gave in Bamboozled, Oscar won’t be able to ignore her for much longer.
(AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
Regina King
With knockout supporting roles in critical and commercial hits like Jerry Maguire and Ray, Regina King has been routinely ignored come awards season to her fans’ chagrin.
(Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBC NewsWire via AP Images)
Jeffrey Wright
In just the last decade acclaimed actor Jeffrey Wright has had stunning lead and supporting turns in Cadillac Records, Syriana, W, The Manchurian Candidate and Broken Flowers—yet he’s never been nominated.
(Sipa via AP Images)
Thandie Newton
Newton snagged a significant breakthrough role in Jonathan Demme’s adaptation of Beloved and scored great reviews for her turns in The Pursuit of Happyness and Crash. It’s only a matter of time till Oscar comes calling too.
© T.Arroyo/JPegFoto/PictureGroup via AP IMAGES
Chiwetel Ejiofor
This English actor (and member of theGrio’s 100) has show versatility in both supporting (American Gangster, Talk to Me) and lead roles (Kinky Boots, Redbelt). He’s begun to land parts in big budget blockbusters but the Oscar still awaits.
© T.Arroyo/JPegFoto/PictureGroup via AP IMAGES
Luke’s emotional and unforgettable debut performance in Denzel Washington’s Antwone Fisher (“I’m still standing, I’m still strong!”) won raves from critics and inspired talk of a nomination for best actor—but alas he came up short.
(Photo by Brad Barket/PictureGroup)
Zoe Saldana
Although Saldana’s performance was motion captured, several pundits predicted a long shot best actress nomination for her role in Avatar. Even though she was snubbed, most critics admit she is the heart and soul of the blockbuster film.
(Photo by Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup)
Although the last few years unusually strong one for African-American Academy Award nominees, there were still notable oversights, such as Anthony Mackie’s acclaimed supporting work in The Hurt Locker. This year there were no black nominees in the major acting categories.
Mackie is just one member of a large community of black actors who have yet to be nominated for Hollywood’s highest honor. In the last 84 years, Oscars have been awarded to black actors and actresses in major categories just 12 times. It’s worth noting that of those victories, six have occurred in the last decade — a definite sign of improvement. Still, there are far too many talents over the years who have been neglected.
