Suave and Swagger: 35+ Fabulous Black Men Over 50

The world’s entertainment capital, Hollywood, is home to some of the most captivating, talented, and good-looking people on television and film. We’ve got handsome lads and beautiful ladies of all ages and demographics that are beyond skilled when working in front of the camera. Although age and ethnicity might hinder some people’s success in the industry, many giants overcame the odds and still made it big in Hollywood.

In this post, we’ll give one very underappreciated demographic the attention they deserve; black male stars over 50 years old with talent, looks, and sex appeal. From action to comedy, music to sports, these men have entertained us for decades and continue to do so. Here’s a list of 45 gorgeous black actors over 50.

Will Smith

Very few names can match up to Will Smit when talking about Hollywood giants. The man has been the leading star in more movies than we care to count and is regarded as one of Hollywood’s best and highest-grossing actors.

He’s a multiple-time Grammy award winner and, in 2022, added an Oscar award to his long list of accolades. Sure, he’s been the center of drama in recent years, but that doesn’t take away the fact that he’s a fantastic actor and entertainer. 

Common

It’s not unusual to see celebrities venture into more than one sector in the industry, and Common is not one to shy away from flexing his many talents. Lonnie Rashid Lynn is an American actor and rapper who is highly successful in various endeavors.

Although he has many film credits, he was particularly captivating alongside Keanu Reeves in the action movie John Wick: Chapter 2. Aside from his many Grammies, Common is also the first rapper to receive an Academy Award for Best Song.

Method Man

Clifford Smith Jr., more popularly known as the rapper and record producer with the stage name “Method Man,” is a Grammy winner. The 52-year-old is a member of the East Coast hip-hop group, which originated in New York City sometime in the 70s. 

This Grammy award winner has starred in multiple films and television productions, some of which he worked with HBO as he’s also had recurring roles in several series under the television network. Method Man is a member of one of the greatest hip-hop collectives of all time, the Wu-Tang Clan.

Blair Underwood

One of the cast of the popular The Cosby Show, Blair Underwood debuted in the 1985 musical, Krush Groove. He would go on to star in a legal drama and return to the film industry with various films such as Madea’s Family Reunion.

Blair has been nominated for a Golden Globe award for his role in L.A. Law and has portrayed many characters in popular series like Quantico, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and even the critically acclaimed Netflix mini-series When They See Us.

Ice Cube

One of the most influential names in hip-hop music and a Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Ice Cube is more than a legend. His solo rap albums have all been significant successes, and he was instrumental in separating East Coast from West Coast hip-hop.

Besides his successful career as a hip-hop artist, Ice Cube is also a highly bankable movie star. He’s starred in comedies alongside Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill in 21 and 22 Jump Street and co-wrote and starred in the buddy comedy, Friday.

Denzel Washington

Noted as one of the greatest actors of the 21st century, Denzel Washington has a career spanning nearly half a century. The actor, director, and producer, is now nearing his 70s and is still going strong, having made a name for himself in the industry.

Denzel has won two Academy Awards and has earned himself critical acclaim for his role in the movies Training Day, American Gangster, and Malcolm X, amongst others. He’s also been honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Taye Diggs

New Jersey-born actor Taye Diggs is known for his work in both film and television productions. He’s the ex-husband of the Queen of Broadway, the famous actress and musician Idina Menzel. The two have even starred in a movie together!

Taye Diggs shot into prominence when he portrayed Winston in the comedy romance, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, a movie that starred Angela Basset. Well into his fifties, Taye Still gets cast for roles, and we can’t wait to see him on screen next.

Richard T. Jones

Richard Timothy Jones has worked in film and television series productions since the 90s. Many might not be able to put a name to his face, but the actor is known for portraying roles in crime and drama series like CSI: Miami and Grey’s Anatomy.

We loved seeing him in Narcos and Hawaii Five-0, both crime drama series where he embodies his characters perfectly. He can take on comedic roles too; Ally McBeal proves that. He plays the role of Seargent Wade Gray in the police drama, The Rookie.

Terrence Howard

Although he’s been in the entertainment industry since the 90s, Terrence only gained ground in Hollywood sometime in the early 2000s. Aside from movies and television shows, he has also appeared in several music videos, including one by the legendary Mary J. Blige.

Terrence has appeared in many high-budget films like Iron Man and has also released an album. More recently, he’s known for starring in the drama series Empire. In late 2022 he announced he’d be retiring from acting because he felt he had given everything.

Michael Beach

Michael Anthony Beach is a famous American actor who has appeared in many films and television series productions. He debuted in the late ’80s in End of the Line and would go on to work beside the legendary Morgan Freeman. 

Michael is probably best known today for being a regular cast member in the critically acclaimed action fiction television series Sons Of Anarchy, and the drama series run by a popular television broadcasting company, Third Watch.

LL Cool J

The “I Need a Beat” singer is more than just an artist; LL Cool J is also an actor, record producer, and songwriter. He’s been ranked as one of the greatest artists ever and has won several Grammy Awards for his work.

James Todd Smith, as he’s known professionally, had a role in the movie Krush Groove but is more popular today for his role in the long-running crime drama television series, NCIS: Los Angeles, where he plays Senior Special Agent Sam Hanna.

Lamman Rucker

Beginning his career by starring in a daytime soap opera, Lamman Rucker would rise to fame sometime in the early 2000s with his role in All My Children and As The World Turns. He’s also been on sitcoms and other major television productions.

Today, Lamman is probably best known for his roles in many Tyler Perry productions, including Meet The Browns, Why Did I Get Married?, and sequel Why Did I Get Married Too?. He’s also been cast as one of the leading actors on a show on Oprah Winfrey’s Television network.

Sean Blakemore

We love seeing our favs get nominated for awards. It shows their work is getting the recognition it deserves and warms our hearts. That’s why we were super psyched when Sean Blackmore received one for a Daytime Emmy award.

Sean received the award in 2016 for his role as Shawn Butler in the popular soap opera General Hospital. He has appeared on other shows like Bones. Would you be surprised if we told you he used to be a model? Probably not; you can tell from his looks.

Lenny Kravitz

Grammy Award-winning record holder and multitalented entertainer Lenny Kravitz is a consummate singer and actor. He’s released eleven studio albums and his singles have topped the charts, earning him a spot as one of the greatest hard rock artists.

Talented actress Zoe Kravitz got her acting skills from her beloved dad. The part-Jewish, part-Russian, part-African-American actor has starred in The Hunger Games franchise, Shotgun Wedding, Precious, and The Butler. He’s sold more than 40 million albums in his career.

Darrin Henson

Darrin Dewitt Henson is a man of many talents. Not only is he great in front of the camera as an actor and choreographer, but he’s also amazing behind it as a director and producer. Darrin is also an artist and former member of a freestyle group.

He portrayed a character in the longest-running drama with a majorly African-American cast, Soul Food. The MTV Award choreographer has worked behind the scenes for the music videos and concerts of major stars such as Britney Spears and the Spice Girls.

D. B. Woodside

David Bryan Woodside is a famous African American actor that got his start in the business through his role in the second season of the legal drama, Murder One, a show that aired for two years in the late 90s.

He would then star in bigger television productions in the 2000s. You’d probably recognize him as the principal of Sunnydale High School in the fantasy series Buffy The Vampire Slayer and for his role in The Temptations as Melvin Franklin.

Michael Jai White

Making history as the very first African-American to portray a significant superhero from a comic book, Michael Jai White is best known to many as the antihero Spawn. The renowned actor is also a martial arts enthusiast and a director.

He’s worked with Tyler Perry in several productions and has portrayed Mike Tyson in a film. There is nothing this man can’t do because he is a special education teacher too and has recently celebrated his 20th year in the business.

Terry Crews

Former American professional football player Terry Crews is one of the most recognizable actors and television hosts. He’s starred in countless renowned television series like Everybody Hates Chris and the hilarious comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine along with Adam Samberg.

Terry learned to play the flute from a young age and retired from football sometime in the late 90s, giving him enough time to focus on his acting career. He now hosts America’s Got Talent and mostly appears in comedies. 

Pharell Lanscilo Williams 

The thirteen-time Grammy award winner, Pharell Williams, is arguably one of the greatest music producers of the modern era. He’s heavily influenced today’s music, and some of his hits have topped the charts on numerous occasions. Everyone knows a Pharell song or two.

He was a member of a hip-hop and rap duo and a band before finding solo success. We’re not one to pick favorites, but Happy, the lead single for Despicable Me’s soundtrack, has got to be one of our top 5 hits.

Rick Fox

Born of an Afro-Bahamian father and part Scottish, part Italian Canadian mother, Rick Fox is a biracial actor and former NBA player for the Boston Celtics and LA Lakers. He began acting as a basketball player and continued after the end of his sporting career.

Besides the NBA, Rick Fox played for his home country, Canada, during international competitions. He’s worked with big names such as Whoopi Goldberg and Spike Lee and has numerous acting credits to boast about, including One Tree Hill, and He Got Game.

Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx is a true entertainer skilled in not one, or two, but three different forms of entertainment; comedy, acting, and singing. He broke into Hollywood in 1992, is the host and executive producer of a game show, and has written an autobiography.

Jamie Foxx has received innumerable accolades, including an Academy Award and Grammy Award. Although he’s had many notable roles, he was most unforgettable in Ray and Baby Driver, two of our favorite movies! Oh, he started playing the piano when he was five years old.

Gerald Maxwell Rivera

We can credit many artists and acts influenced by several genres, like Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, and Michael Jackson. Gerald Maxwell Rivera also deserves a spot amongst these greats for his work on neo-soul, sometimes called progressive soul.

The New York-born star is also a record producer and began composing music when he was only a teenager. Nowadays, the artist goes by the name Maxwell and has been the recipient of several Grammy Awards, amongst other accolades.

Djimon Hounsou

Unique features can give you an edge in the modeling and acting industry, and Djimon Hounsou is blessed with such a look. Once a model, he’s worked with Steven Spielberg and has been a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

Although Djimon kicked off his career by appearing in music videos, by the early 2000s, he’d already been nominated for Academy Awards for his work in film. He’s also a part of the DC Extended Universe, appearing as a wizard in both installments of Shazam.

Colman Domingo

The actor and filmmaker was born in Philadelphia and has taken on many different roles in different genres, stealing the show each time. From war dramas like Lincoln to teen dramas like Euphoria, he’s a man of many skills and talents.

He is the recipient of the prestigious Primetime Emmy Award and has been nominated for a Tony and an Olivier. Colman has worked with big-time movie makers like Spike Lee and Steven Spielberg and has performed on the stage too.

Bill Bellamy

A relative of the legendary basketball player Shaquille O’Neal, Bill Bellamy is a star in his own right, just in a much different field. Bill has been a television show host and has appeared in numerous movies on multiple occasions.

William Bellamy (which is his actual name) is also a comedian and voice actor who has voiced a playable character in a video game. We loved him in the action crime drama series Fastlane and can’t wait to see what he’ll do next.

Dennis Haysbert

The California native Dennis Haysbert is blessed with a lot of good genes. He possesses impressive looks and a six-foot, five-inch frame that made him sought after in sports, an opportunity he turned down to chase a career in the film industry.

He’s been acting in movies and television series since the late 70s and has made a name for himself as a prolific actor. Dennis has been a voice actor for DC and has made a guest appearance on an episode of SNL.

Malcolm Jamal Warner

A former The Bill Cosby Show cast member, Malcolm got his big break by playing Theo Huxtable on the sitcom. It wasn’t his first ever on TV, but it’s often credited as instrumental in his rise to fame in Hollywood.

He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy award for his role in the popular NBC series. Besides acting, he has directed an episode of The Bill Cosby Show and several music videos, including “I’m The Magnificent” and “I Love You For Sentimental Reasons.”

Kenny Lattimore

Many stars and celebrities of today began exploring their passion at an early age. Their love for their craft led them to the entertainment industry. Kenny Lattimore is one of such stars, developing his interest in music as a teen.

He signed to a record label sometime in the early 90s and released a debut album shortly after. One of his songs, “For You,” was nominated for a Grammy, and with a career spanning over thirty years, it’s safe to say he has made a name for himself in the industry.

Peter Parros

Starting off his career by acting solely in theater, Peter would go on to work on many screen and television productions in the latter part of his career, and that’s where he found the most success in the entertainment industry.

He’s appeared on The Young and Restless and many other popular soap operas, including the NBC show Santa Babara. Peter Parros has also had a couple of minor roles in other film and television productions like CSI: Miami.

Hill Harper

Acting since he was a little kid, Hill Harper grew up to be renowned for his craft and even authored several books. The actor attended Harvard Law School and is a good friend of one of the United States former presidents!

His television roles began sometime in the early 90s and made his film debut around that time. Hill is probably known by many for being part of the cast of CSI: NY, but he is part of many film productions. 

Marlon Wayans

Known for his work in various forms of comedy (including stand-up and sketch), Marlon Wayans is renowned for his comedic timing and skill. He has many film and television credits, but seeing him in the Scary Movie franchise is one of our favorites.

He’s co-written and starred in his very own sitcom named after him and has also created a comedy competition show. But Marlon is no one-trick pony; he ventured out of comedy when he acted in a psychological thriller, a move that highlighted his versatility.

Idris Elba

Idris Elba is a renowned actor and DJ, one of today’s most prominent names in the British and American film industry. He has many film and television credits to his name and is known for his fantastic adaptation of various accents.

Idris Elba is a kickboxer and has starred in productions alongside other Hollywood giants like Russel Crowe, Josh Brolin, and Denzel Washington. He’s also a member of the MCU, portraying the character Heimdall in many installments in the franchise.

Tyson Beckford

We sincerely believe aging is a concept Tyson Beckford’s genes have never heard of because the man doesn’t look a day over thirty despite being more than twenty years older than that. The model and actor is one of the judges of the British version of the reality show America’s Next Top Model.

Although he was teased by his peers for his looks when he was much younger, it is his claim to fame. He’s walked for many fashion houses and is best known for being the face of the luxury fashion brand Ralph Lauren.

Stephen Bishop

It’s not very often we see sports stars venture into acting, and that’s one of the things that we find remarkable about this man right here. As a retired sports star and actor, Stephen bishop is a man of many skills. 

He signed a free-agent contract after college and started playing baseball professionally. As an actor, Stephen’s appeared in several television series, including Grey’s Anatomy, Being Mary Jane, and even Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. He is currently the lead star of Run The World.

Diddy

Sean Love Combs, known professionally by his stage name, Puff Diddy (also P Diddy and often Diddy), is a popular actor, record producer, and rapper. He has won several Grammy Awards and is estimated to be worth up to a billion dollars!

We’ve seen him in Monster’s Ball and several episodes of the critically acclaimed American police procedural drama series CSI: Miami. He has produced many songs for the girl group TLC and helped develop the Grammy Award-winning singer Mary J. Blige.

Raphael Saadiq

The American singer, Raphael Saadiq is a prolific artist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. He was a member of the popular trio, the Grammy Award-nominated American soul/R&B group named Tony! Toni! Toné!. He is widely acknowledged as one of the 90s most preeminent artists.

He’s produced songs for some of the biggest names in the R&B sphere, such as Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Whitney Houston, and one of the all-time greats, Stevie Wonder. Raphael has also been nominated for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award.

Chico DeBarge

A chart-topping R&B artist, Jonathan Arthur DeBarge or Chico, began a solo musical career sometime in the late ’80s. His songs have been featured in movies such as Coming to America and Police Academy. Most of his music has had decent reception from R&B audiences.

Although he’s been the center of a lot of negative publicity due to various charges, Chico DeBarge didn’t let any of the tragedies that befell him bring him down. He continues to make great music and is still going strong.

Leon Robinson

Beginning his career sometime in the 80s, Leon would star in a critically acclaimed television series and have appearances in many films in the early 90s and the 2000s. He’s now known all over the globe for his work in film and TV.

Leon was cast as Saint Martin de Porres in Madonna’s controversial music video, “Like A Prayer,” which got many tongues wagging. Now in his 60s, he has had many other appearances in other on-screen productions, such as Get Rich or Die Tryin’.

Harold Perrineau 

The amazing Harold Perrineau was first noticed in Lost, the famous adventure drama series about a group of people who survive a plane crash on a remote island. He also played in Oz and the second and third installments of The Matrix trilogy.

Harold is also a musician and has been working on his musical career since the early 2000s. His acting career remains the primary source of fame, having many credits and winning countless awards, including a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Shemar Moore

Half African-American and half French-Canadian, Shemar Moore is a biracial actor known for his numerous works on crime drama series. The actor is a People’s Choice Award nominee and a Daytime Emmy Award recipient in 2000. He owns a clothing company called Baby Girl LLC.

With a career spanning over two and a half decades, Shemar Moore started acting in the early 90s and had his big break with his role in the soap opera The Young And The Restless. Today, he’s best known for playing Seargent Dan on S.W.A.T.

Morris Chestnut

Breaking into the scene in the early ’90s for his role as Ricky Baker in the crime drama movie Boyz n the Hood, Morris Chestnut would go on to be featured and co-star in numerous high-budget and commercially successful films.

He’s worked with the legendary Steven Seagel a few times (three, to be precise) and has several television credits. Morris Chestnut has been named by a reputable magazine as one of the most attractive men alive and has received many accolades for his work.

Gary Dourdan

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gary Dourdan has been in many film and television productions. Still, most people recognize him for playing the detective Warrick Brown on the sixteen-series long CSI: Crime Scene Investigation produced by Gil Grissom. He appeared in Janet Jackson’s music video “Again” as a love interest. 

Gary might be best known for being a prolific actor, but he’s also a great singer and producer. He played for several bands in New York City during the 90s and is an avid collector of classic cars featured in Street Customs.

Eric Benet

Eric Benet is a multiple-time Grammy Award nominee and actor. He is a renowned neo-soul singer and songwriter signed to a record label sometime in the 90s. He shortly released a successful debut solo album after leaving his band, Benet.

A number of his songs topped the R&B charts and received reasonable airplay. The multiracial actor has been on The Real Husbands Of Hollywood and the romantic drama, Glitter, alongside the legendary Mariah Carey. He was formerly married to actress Halle Berry.

Boris Kodjoe

The half-German, half Ghanian biracial actor Boris Kodjoe used to be a staple of the fashion runways, having worked as a model. He used to play tennis and dreamed of going pro in the sport but couldn’t because of a back injury.

Boris then ventured into modeling and, not long after, began acting, a choice we’re thankful for. He was one of the principal cast members in Soul Food and also had guest roles in several series, including The Last Man On Earth.

Dondre Whitfield

Like many other men on this list, Dondre Whitfield got his first significant break in the entertainment industry by appearing on The Bill Cosby Show. The multiracial actor has also been on an ABC soap opera and other sitcoms. 

He’s been on the American reality television parody show, The Real Husbands of Hollywood alongside other stars like Kevin Hart, Nick Cannon, and another star on this list, Boris Kodjoe. He also stars in an Oprah Winfrey Network drama series.