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Here's a thread of amazing Black actresses who haven't been nominated for Oscars and the roles I think they should have gotten attention for from the Academy.
1. Pam Grier, Jackie Brown (1997)
This is a popular one. A rich, heartwrenching performance that hits every emotional beat.
This is a popular one. A rich, heartwrenching performance that hits every emotional beat.
2. Alicia Keys, The Secret Life of Bees (2008)
A white savior film that didn't need a white savior, Alicia Keys was the MVP of this movie. This should have birthed an entire box office reign.
A white savior film that didn't need a white savior, Alicia Keys was the MVP of this movie. This should have birthed an entire box office reign.
3. Lena Horne, Cabin in the Sky (1943)
Lena is her typical multi-faceted self in this movie, gliding from petulant to seductive in the course of a single line. It's her final scene, in the midst of a cinematic set piece, where she walks away with the whole film.
Lena is her typical multi-faceted self in this movie, gliding from petulant to seductive in the course of a single line. It's her final scene, in the midst of a cinematic set piece, where she walks away with the whole film.
4/5. Jurnee Smollett & Lynn Whitfield, Eve's Bayou (1997)
In a just world, Jurnee Smollett would have been competing for leading actress against Pam Grier, and Lynn Whitfield would have been nominated in supporting, in Kasi Lemmon's Southern Gothic masterpiece.
In a just world, Jurnee Smollett would have been competing for leading actress against Pam Grier, and Lynn Whitfield would have been nominated in supporting, in Kasi Lemmon's Southern Gothic masterpiece.
6. Debbi Morgan, Eve's Bayou (1997)
Debbi would have taken the Oscar at the 70th ceremony for her unforgettable role as a black widow "pyschic counselor."
Debbi would have taken the Oscar at the 70th ceremony for her unforgettable role as a black widow "pyschic counselor."
7. Kimberly Elise, Woman, Thou Art Used (2004)
Kimberly Elise has never given a bad performance, so really this was just a throw of the dart. A fully-realized leading performance.
Kimberly Elise has never given a bad performance, so really this was just a throw of the dart. A fully-realized leading performance.
8. Loretta Devine, Waiting to Exhale (1995)
Loretta Devine, she of the melodic voice and sleepy eyes, was firing on all cylinders - comedic, dramatic, romantic - in this blockbuster film.
Loretta Devine, she of the melodic voice and sleepy eyes, was firing on all cylinders - comedic, dramatic, romantic - in this blockbuster film.
9. Lonette McKee, Sparkle (1976)
As Sister Williams, the tragic older sister in the original Sparkle, Lonette McKee blazed bright and fast across the screen, giving us something we could feel while leaving a cosmic imprint on our collective consciousness.
As Sister Williams, the tragic older sister in the original Sparkle, Lonette McKee blazed bright and fast across the screen, giving us something we could feel while leaving a cosmic imprint on our collective consciousness.
10. Keke Palmer, Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
I don't know if I'll ever feel that Keke Palmer is ever justly appreciated. Maybe it's because, like her costar in this film Angela Bassett, she's so consistently good it doesn't surprise us anymore. But, y'all, she's GOOD.
I don't know if I'll ever feel that Keke Palmer is ever justly appreciated. Maybe it's because, like her costar in this film Angela Bassett, she's so consistently good it doesn't surprise us anymore. But, y'all, she's GOOD.
11. Shareeka Epps, Half Nelson (2006)
2006 was the year of the wunderkinds. Shareeka hasn't done much since on the big screen this movie, which is unfortunate because few have been able to melt the screen like she did here.
2006 was the year of the wunderkinds. Shareeka hasn't done much since on the big screen this movie, which is unfortunate because few have been able to melt the screen like she did here.
12/13. GuGu Mbatha-Raw, Belle (2013), Beyond the Lights (2014)
GuGu deserved consecutive nominations for her fierce one-two punch of richly drawn performances of vastly different characters in extremely different films.
GuGu deserved consecutive nominations for her fierce one-two punch of richly drawn performances of vastly different characters in extremely different films.
14. Mariah Carey, Precious (2009)
Mariah doesn't slack on her big-screen appearances, lighting up the screen in Wiseguys years before. In Precious, she's a completely different woman. Mo'Nique rightfully stormed the world with her performance, but Mariah deserved more accolades.
Mariah doesn't slack on her big-screen appearances, lighting up the screen in Wiseguys years before. In Precious, she's a completely different woman. Mo'Nique rightfully stormed the world with her performance, but Mariah deserved more accolades.
15. Irma P. Hall, Ladykillers (2004)
A terrible movie, but an undeniable performance. Irma P. Hall ricochets off of the screen every time she touches it.
A terrible movie, but an undeniable performance. Irma P. Hall ricochets off of the screen every time she touches it.
16. Vanessa Williams, Soul Food (1997)
I didn't realize 1997 gave us so many golden performances from Black women. Vanessa has never been better. "Let's talk about WHAT?"
I didn't realize 1997 gave us so many golden performances from Black women. Vanessa has never been better. "Let's talk about WHAT?"
17. Vivica A. Fox, Why Do Fools Fall in Love (1998)
Confession: I've never seen Vivica's best-reviewed performance in 2001's Two Can Play That Game, but I do feel her performance in this Frankie Lymon biopic was more than worthy of awards consideration.
Confession: I've never seen Vivica's best-reviewed performance in 2001's Two Can Play That Game, but I do feel her performance in this Frankie Lymon biopic was more than worthy of awards consideration.
18. Esther Rolle, Down in the Delta (1998)
What a rich film. What an unforgettable performance. What a phenomenal actress.
What a rich film. What an unforgettable performance. What a phenomenal actress.
19. Beyoncé, Cadillac Records (2008)
After getting passed over for her Deena Jones, Beyoncé went full Effie White - and she deserved.
After getting passed over for her Deena Jones, Beyoncé went full Effie White - and she deserved.
20. Aunjanue Ellis, Ray (2004)
One of many fiery and nuanced female performances in this film, Aunjanue enters and exits as if the movie belongs to her. The first of two times on celluloid that she's gone toe-to-toe with the equally excellent Regina King.
One of many fiery and nuanced female performances in this film, Aunjanue enters and exits as if the movie belongs to her. The first of two times on celluloid that she's gone toe-to-toe with the equally excellent Regina King.
21. Eartha Kitt, The Emperor's New Groove (2000)
It's long past time that the academy implemented awards for stunt performers and voice-over actors and Eartha Kitt made a great case for the latter as the hilarious and frightening Yzma in the Disney film.
It's long past time that the academy implemented awards for stunt performers and voice-over actors and Eartha Kitt made a great case for the latter as the hilarious and frightening Yzma in the Disney film.
That's all I got? Who did I miss? And should I do another thread for Oscar-nominated actresses like Cicely, Angela, and Lupita who deserve multiple nods?
