Many black personalities have left their mark on TV; some remain in the audience’s hearts. Each has its inimitable style and presence, making them memorable additions to our TV screens. Presenting the top 15 famous black stars on TV screens across the USA.
Della Reese
Delloreese Patricia Early was born in the Black Bottom neighborhood of Detroit to parents Nellie Mitchelle and Richard in 1931. She was a gospel and blues singer and later became a TV actress. Jubilee Records signed her in 1953. She recorded six albums under that label. Della became a member of Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame in 2017. She was the first black woman to host her TV show, Della, in 1969- 70.
She starred in many movies and TV shows, one of the most famous being “Touched by an Angel.”She was religious and an ordained minister who delivered Sunday sermons for many years. She expired on 19th November 2017.
Oprah Winfrey
She is the best-known black TV personality across the globe. She earned a broadcasting degree at age 19. From a co-anchor and reporter for ABC affiliate, Oprah became the co-host of “The Morning Show.” In 1984, she moved to Chicago, where she turned the AM Chicago into The Oprah Winfrey Show. The show quickly became the highest-ranking show, which won many Emmys.
Her book club on the show made it a standout. The books discussed in her book club went on to become hits. Oprah went on to star in movies and has her own TV and Film production companies. Oprah has a television network called “OWN.” She launched magazines and wrote many books. She is also involved in many philanthropic activities—a leader in more ways than one.
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg spent her early life in a Manhattan housing project. Theatre and performing arts interested her as a child, so she started performing with a children’s theatre group.
She eventually moved to California in 1974 and began doing theatre there. There, she developed a one-woman stage show, ” The Spook Show,” which got her the Broadway show,” The Whoopi Goldberg Show”. She won a Grammy for this show’s recording. Later, she starred in a movie,” The Colour Purple,” for which she got an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe.
Whoopi was the first Black woman to win all the major entertainment awards. The Awards are called EGOT- Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Her Show “ The View“, where she is the co-host, has also gained attention.
Trevor Noah
Trevor is a South African TV show host, comedian, and social commentator. He is best known as the host of the American talk show “ The Today Show,” which aired from 2015 to 2022. he is known for his sharp wit and understanding of global cultures and politics. He began his career doing small comedy shows at clubs and moved on to hosting shows like “ Tonight with Trevor Noah ” in South Africa.
Trevor moved to the USA in 2012. He was the first South African comedian to appear on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” Soon, he was seen on “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart. When Jon Stewart stepped down the following year, Trevor took over the show, and it was named “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.” Noah’s unique style and political segment of the show skyrocketed his popularity in the USA. He has also written books and now has a podcast. He hosted the Grammy Awards from 2021 – 24.
Steve Harvey
Steve Harvey began his career in the 80s as a stand-up comic. He got his first TV show, “Its Showtime at the Apollo.” 1993. Steve got his daytime talk show, “Steve Harvey Show,” in 2012. He hosts the popular game show “ family feud and Celebrity family feud. His current series is “Steve on Watch” and the courtroom show “Judge Steve Harvey.”
His radio show advised callers on life situations and relationships, which became the foundation of the self-help books he wrote. He has also hosted the Miss Universe pageants for five years. Steve runs a philanthropic foundation that mentors young, fatherless persons.
Wendy Williams
Wendy Williams was born on June 18, 1964, in New Jersey. She began her career as a radio DJ. She later got her radio show,” The Wendy Williams Experience.” The success of her radio show propelled her into daytime television, and she got her show,” The Wendy Williams Show, in 2008.
Wendy was known as the “queen of Gossip.” She would ask her celebrity guests uncomfortable questions directly. Wendy was very popular among the black audience. She battled a lot of health problems, because of which her show had to be pulled off. Wendy Williams left her a mark on TV with her bold and outspoken persona.
Chris Rock
Chris Rock started his comedy career as a stand-up comic in 1980s New York City. Eddie Murphy discovered him there, and Chris participated in Eddie’s film. He gained national attention as a cast member on Saturday Night Live in the early 1990s, where his sharp repartee and situational humor made him a standout comedian.
His HBO series, “Bring the Pain” (1996), won two Emmy Awards. Rocks made a show based on his childhood experiences, “Hates Chris” (2005- 2009), which also won an Emmy. He was the host of the Academy Awards in 2005, 2016, and recently in 2022.
Arsenio Hall
Arsenio Hall Is the first Black personality to host his late-night talk show, “ The Arsenio Hall Show.” Arsenio” parents had divorced when he was very young. Arsenio grew up watching a lot of TV talk shows. He started aspiring to be one. His show was different from the others of his time. He brought fun and funk into his shows. Arsenio’s “ woof woof” fist pump is iconic.
He featured many hip-hop artists on the show and managed to get a diverse set of guests to his show. Bill Clinton appeared on his show, played saxophone, and saw increased popularity among young voters.
Wayne Brady
Wayne Brady is a talented comedian and actor. Growing up, he had a stutter, for which he faced a lot of bullying. Wayne joined a comedy club to overcome that and gain confidence. He has been a part of the comedy show” Whose Line is it Anyway? His talk show,” The Wayne Brady Show,” was first telecast at night and later on as a day show. The new timings led to success. Wayne has won five Emmys.
Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks, born in 1973, is a famous model and TV personality. Tyra was interested in modeling from a young age and was scouted to walk the ramp in Paris. She has, to her credit, the achievement of being one of the first Black models to feature on the cover of prestigious magazines such as Sports Illustrated magazine and GQ. In 2003, Tyra appeared on television as one of the judges of the show “ America’s Next Top Model.” She also hosted her show,” The Tyra Banks Show.” This show got her two Emmys. She is on the panel of judges on “ America’s Got Talent.”
Don Lemon
Don Lemon began his journalism career while still in college at NYU. He joined NBC as a correspondent and then joined CNN in 2006. Throughout his career, Lemon has reported on several ground-breaking stories. He hosts the show” Tonight with Don Lemon.”Lemon is known for his journalistic acumen and for asking his guests hard-hitting questions. He has won an Emmy for a special report on real estate in Chicagoland and a journalistic award for coverage of the capture of the Washington DC snipers.
Michael Strahan
Michael Strahan is a former NFL player and a successful TV host. He began his NFL career in 1993 when the Giants drafted him. Strahan was“ NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2001.
His friendly personality and gap-toothed smile made him a popular TV host when he joined TV. He co-hosted “ Live! With Kelly and Michael” with Kelly Ripa. He also hosted” Good Morning America.” He also co-hosts Fox NFL Sunday. He has won two Emmys.
Shonda Rhimes
Shonda was born in Chicago. She wanted to become a novelist but started writing Hollywood screenplays after she graduated from USC with a degree in film. Her early work includes writing a script for “ Crossroads.” She then moved to TV and wrote the hugely successful” Grey’s Anatomy.” She started her production company in Shondaland in 2003. She is also the creator of the immensely popular Bridgerton and its spin-off Queen Charlotte: A Bridgeerton Story. She has a Golden Globe and multiple other awards.
Gayle King
Gayle is the co-host of CBS This Morning. She is an experienced journalist who started her career in Baltimore. Later, she joined a CBS affiliate in Hartford and worked there for 18 years. Gayle also had her talk show on Oprah Wnfrey’s network OWN. Her current show is CBS’s most successful morning show in 30 years. She has 3 Emmys and various other awards for her distinguished journalistic work.
Aisha Tyler
Aisha started her career as an advertising executive but soon left to pursue stand-up comic ambitions. She was the first-ever Black female host of the “ Talk Show” in 1996. Aisha’s wit and sharp intelligence were noticed, and she won an Emmy. She has worked in numerous Tv series such as Friends and Archer. She currently hosts “ Who’s Line Is it Anyways?”
