Richest Black Actresses Breaking Barriers in Hollywood

Black actresses in Hollywood have faced a long and often difficult journey toward recognition. In recent years, however, many have broken through barriers, leading major film and television projects and building considerable wealth along the way. Below are some of the richest Black actresses working in movies and TV today, their net worths, and highlights of their careers.

9. Viola Davis (Tied)

Net worth: $25 million

Bottom line: Viola Davis began screen acting in the mid-1990s and steadily built a reputation for powerful, nuanced performances. Her film credits include Traffic, Solaris, Doubt, The Help, Prisoners, Get On Up, Fences and Widows. She also starred recently in The Woman King, portraying the leader of a famed all-female military unit. On television, Davis earned widespread acclaim — including Emmy and Golden Globe recognition — for her lead role in How to Get Away with Murder, and she has had guest appearances on long-running series such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

9. Angela Bassett (Tied)

Net worth: $25 million

Bottom line: Angela Bassett’s breakout came in 1992 when she portrayed Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do With It, a role that earned her an Academy Award nomination. Since then she has appeared in Malcolm X, Waiting to Exhale, How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Black Panther, and she’s held recurring TV roles on shows like ER and American Horror Story. Bassett is known for commanding, transformative performances across film and television.

8. Zoe Saldana

Net worth: $35 million

Bottom line: Zoe Saldana is best known for major franchise roles, including Neytiri in James Cameron’s Avatar series and key characters in the Guardians of the Galaxy and Star Trek films. Her first notable big-screen part was in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. While franchises have made her a global star and contributed heavily to her net worth, Saldana has spoken about the creative limitations that can come with repeatedly inhabiting similar blockbuster roles.

6. Raven Symoné (Tied)

Net worth: $50 million

Bottom line: Raven Symoné began acting as a child on The Cosby Show and later became a Disney Channel star with That’s So Raven. The series ran for multiple seasons and launched a successful career that includes roles in the Dr. Dolittle films and College Road Trip. She returned to the Disney franchise as the adult lead on Raven’s Home, and has maintained visibility with recurring parts on other TV shows.

6. Kerry Washington (Tied)

Net worth: $50 million

Bottom line: Kerry Washington rose to prominence as Olivia Pope on ABC’s Scandal, earning critical praise and an Emmy nomination for lead actress. Her film work includes roles in Ray, Django Unchained and The Last King of Scotland. Washington is also a producer and director; she founded the production company Simpson Street and has worked behind the camera on projects such as the Hulu series Reasonable Doubt.

5. Jada Pinkett Smith

Net worth: $58 million

Bottom line: Jada Pinkett Smith has acted in films such as Menace II Society, the Nutty Professor franchise and Gotham. She is also an entrepreneur and producer, founding 100% Women Productions. In addition to her film and TV work, Pinkett Smith co-hosts and produces the popular Facebook Watch talk show Red Table Talk, which features candid interviews with family members and guests about personal and social issues.

4. Whoopi Goldberg

Net worth: $60 million

Bottom line: Whoopi Goldberg is a comedian, actress, author and longtime television personality. She earned early acclaim for her film debut in The Color Purple and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Ghost. Goldberg is widely recognized for her role as a co-host on the daytime talk show The View and has appeared in popular films such as the Sister Act series and the historical drama Till.

3. Queen Latifah

Net worth: $70 million

Bottom line: Queen Latifah found early success as a pioneering female rapper before transitioning into acting and producing. She appeared in films such as Jungle Fever and Chicago and has taken on acclaimed television roles like Bessie. Latifah has also hosted a daytime talk show and continues to work across music, film and television, maintaining a multifaceted entertainment career.

2. Halle Berry

Net worth: $90 million

Bottom line: Halle Berry began her career in modeling and moved into acting, gaining early attention in films like Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever. She rose to leading roles in major studio films, including X-Men and Die Another Day, and won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Monster’s Ball, a milestone that remains notable in film history.

1. Oprah Winfrey

Net worth: $2.5 billion

Bottom line: Oprah Winfrey stands apart in terms of net worth. While she has taken acting roles in films such as The Color Purple and Beloved, her influence and wealth stem primarily from her groundbreaking television career and media enterprises. After starting in news, she launched The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1986, which ran for decades and became one of the most successful daytime programs ever. Winfrey also founded Harpo Productions and has served as executive producer on numerous film and television projects, expanding her media footprint and financial success.

These women represent a range of careers across acting, producing, music and business. Their achievements reflect both artistic excellence and savvy career management, and they continue to shape opportunities for future generations of Black actresses in Hollywood.