35 famous young black actors in Hollywood who are under 30
Hollywood has seen a recent surge of young black actors earning notable roles in major projects. Michael Ward and Trevor Jackson are among those gaining recognition. Read on for some more information on standout famous young black actors in Hollywood today.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Famous young black actors in Hollywood in 2026
- 35. Michael Evans Behling (30 years old)
- 34. Bobb'e J. Thompson (30 years old)
- 33. Khylin Rhambo (30 years old)
- 32. Trevor Jackson (29 years old)
- 31. Jacob Latimore (29 years old)
- 30. Brett Johnson (29 years old)
- 29. Tyrel Jackson Williams (29 years old)
- 28. Elliot Edusah (29 years old)
- 27. Ryan McKen (29 years old)
- 26. Malique Thompson-Dwyer (28 years old)
- 25. Luka Sabbat (28 years old)
- 24. Micheal Ward (28 years old)
- 23. Jharrel Jerome (28 years old)
- 22. Jaden Smith (27 years old)
- 21. Skylan Brooks (27 years old)
- 20. Michael Rainey Jr. (26 years old)
- 19. J.D. (26 years old)
- 18. Tremaine Brown Jr. (26 years old)
- 17. Marcus Scribner (26 years old)
- 16. Jaden Harmon (25 years old)
- 15. McCarrie McCausland (25 years old)
- 14. Jahking Guillory (25 years old)
- 13. Niles Fitch (24 years old)
- 12. Abraham Attah (24 years old)
- 11. Chosen Jacobs (24 years old)
- 10. Myles Truitt (24 years old)
- 9. Akili McDowell (23 years old)
- 8. Jahi Winston (22 years old)
- 7. Nathaniel McIntyre (22 years old)
- 6. Asante Blackk (24 years old)
- 5. Caleb McLaughlin (24 years old)
- 4. Miles Brown (21 years old)
- 3. Issac Ryan Brown (20 years old)
- 2. Lonnie Chavis (18 years old)
- 1. Cayden K. Williams (17 years old)
- Who is the highest-paid black actor under 30?
- Who was the first Black Hollywood star?
- Who was the Black singer and actress?
- Who is the youngest Black executive producer?
- Who is the most successful black actor?
- Who is the most iconic black actor?
- Who are some black actors under 50?
Key takeaways
- Young black male actors are making a mark in Hollywood both on and off-screen.
- Notable names include Khylin Rhambo and Shameik Moore.
- Another renowned actor, Trevor Jackson, has appeared in films like SuperFly and on the popular series Grown-ish.
- Michael Ward, a Jamaican-born English actor, made his acting debut in the critically acclaimed film Blue Story.
Famous young black actors in Hollywood in 2026
In compiling this list, we reviewed the IMDb profiles of these actors and information available on online sites such as Famous Birthdays. Here are some famous young black male actors under 30 in Hollywood.
No. | Name | Age (as of May 2026) |
1 | Cayden K. Williams | 17 years old |
2 | Lonnie Chavis | 18 years old |
3 | Issac Ryan Brown | 20 years old |
4 | Miles Brown | 21 years old |
5 | Caleb McLaughlin | 24 years old |
6 | Asante Blackk | 24 years old |
7 | Nathaniel McIntyre | 22 years old |
8 | Jahi Winston | 22 years old |
9 | Akili McDowell | 23 years old |
10 | Myles Truitt | 24 years old |
11 | Chosen Jacobs | 24 years old |
12 | Abraham Attah | 24 years old |
13 | Niles Fitch | 24 years old |
14 | Jahking Guillory | 25 years old |
15 | McCarrie McCausland | 25 years old |
16 | Jaden Harmon | 25 years old |
17 | Marcus Scribner | 26 years old |
18 | Tremaine Brown Jr. | 26 years old |
19 | Jonathan Pierce Daviss (J.D.) | 26 years old |
20 | Michael Rainey Jr. | 26 years old |
21 | Skylan Brooks | 27 years old |
22 | Jaden Smith | 27 years old |
23 | Jharrel Jerome | 28 years old |
24 | Micheal Ward | 28 years old |
25 | Luka Sabbat | 28 years old |
26 | Malique Thompson-Dwyer | 28 years old |
27 | Ryan McKen | 29 years old |
28 | Elliot Edusah | 29 years old |
29 | Tyrel Jackson Williams | 29 years old |
30 | Brett Johnson | 29 years old |
31 | Jacob Latimore | 29 years old |
32 | Trevor Jackson | 29 years old |
33 | Khylin Rhambo | 30 years old |
34 | Bobb'e J. Thompson | 30 years old |
35 | Michael Evans Behling | 30 years old |
35. Michael Evans Behling (30 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Michael Evans Behling
- Date of birth: 5 March 1996
- Age: 30 years old (as of 2026)
- Place of birth: Columbus, Indiana, United States
American actor Michael Evans Behling is best known for his role as Jordan Baker on All American. He is biracial and was adopted by a white family. Evans' father is Nigerian, his mother is German, and his last name is German.
34. Bobb'e J. Thompson (30 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Bobb'e Jacques Thompson
- Date of birth: 28 February 1996
- Age: 30 years old (as of 2026)
- Place of birth: Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Bobb'e is an American actor, rapper, and comedian. He has been acting for over a decade and is known for his youthful energy, quick wit, and unique presence on camera. Bobb'e J. Thompson has appeared in popular films and TV shows like Role Models and That's So Raven.
33. Khylin Rhambo (30 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Khylin Rhambo
- Date of birth: 8 January 1996
- Age: 30 years old (as of 2026)
- Place of birth: California, United States
Khylin is one of the most promising young black male actors under 40. He is best known for his role as Caleb in the hit MTV series Teen Wolf. Khylin Rhambo has also appeared in popular shows like Euphoria and The First.
32. Trevor Jackson (29 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Trevor Howard Lawrence Jackson
- Date of birth: 30 August 1996
- Age: 29 years old (as of May 2026)
- Place of birth: Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Jackson is one of the most popular Black male actors under 30. He began his career as a child actor, appearing in shows like Cold Case and Eureka. Trevor Jackson has since moved on to more adult roles, appearing in films like SuperFly and Grown-ish. He is also a singer and songwriter.
31. Jacob Latimore (29 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Jacob O'Neal Latimore
- Date of birth: 10 August 1996
- Age: 29 years old (as of May 2026)
- Place of birth: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
American actor Jacob O'Neal Latimore is also a singer and dancer. He began acting in 2009 and has appeared in films and TV shows such as One Tree Hill, House Party, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
30. Brett Johnson (29 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Brett Austin Johnson
- Date of birth: 22 May 1997
- Age: 29 years old (as of 2026)
- Place of birth: Washington, D.C., USA
Actor Brett Johnson is a rising star whose career debuted in 2016 in an episode of Swamp Murders. Since then, he has appeared in films and TV series such as The Spirit God Gave Us, Cast & Crew Cherish Alexander: Change Can Start with Me, and Five Feet Apart.
29. Tyrel Jackson Williams (29 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Tyrel Jackson Williams
- Date of birth: 16 March 1997
- Age: 29 years old (as of 2026)
- Place of birth: Westchester County, New York, United States
Tyrel is one of the most promising talents of his generation. His first acting role was in a video called Sesame Street: Happy Healthy Monsters. Tyrel Williams has also appeared in TV series such as Good Luck Charlie, Modern Family, and Everybody Hates Chris.
28. Elliot Edusah (29 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Elliot Edusah
- Date of birth: 9 March 1997
- Age: 29 years old (as of 2026)
- Place of birth: London, United Kingdom
Edusah's career debuted at the Royal National Theatre (National Theatre) in London after attending The BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology for two years. Elliot Edusah has been featured in Sitting in Limbo, Hard Truths, Pirates, Outside the Wire, and other films.
27. Ryan McKen (29 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Malique Thompson-Dwyer
- Date of birth: 1997
- Age: 29 years old (as of 2026)
- Place of birth: Birmingham, England
The actor is of British-Jamaican-Indian ancestry and is known for Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), Game of Thrones (2011), and Bancroft (2017). Ryan McKen graduated from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
26. Malique Thompson-Dwyer (28 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Malique Thompson-Dwyer
- Date of birth: 2 February 1998
- Age: 28 years old (as of 2026)
- Place of birth: Hollinwood, Failsworth, United Kingdom
Malique is among the famous young black male actors in Hollywood. He is known for portraying Prince McQueen in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks from 2016 to 2019 and 2021 onwards. Malique Thompson-Dwyer was the youngest contestant to appear in I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! Season 18. He was the second to be eliminated on 2 December 2018.
25. Luka Sabbat (28 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Luka Sabbat
- Date of birth: 26 November 1997
- Age: 28 years old (as of May 2026)
- Place of birth: New York, United States
Luka is a French-American model and actor. He is known for his role as Luca Hall in Grown-ish. He has also held other roles in movies such as The Dead Don't Die and Sharp Stick.
24. Micheal Ward (28 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Micheal Ward
- Date of birth: 18 November 1997
- Age: 28 years old (as of May 2026)
- Place of birth: Spanish Town, Jamaica
Micheal is a Jamaican-born English actor and former model. He made his acting debut in the critically acclaimed film Blue Story and followed it up with a lead role in the Netflix series Top Boy. Micheal Ward was awarded the 2020 BAFTA Rising Star Award.
23. Jharrel Jerome (28 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Jharrel Jerome
- Date of birth: 9 October 1997
- Age: 28 years old (as of May 2026)
- Place of birth: The Bronx, New York, United States
Jerome became the first Afro-Latino actor to win an acting Emmy for his role as Korey Wise of the Exonerated Five in the Netflix miniseries When They See Us. He has also appeared in films such as Moonlight and Concrete Cowboy. Jharrel Jerome also won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series.
22. Jaden Smith (27 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Jaden Christopher Syre Smith
- Date of birth: 8 July 1998
- Age: 27 years old (as of May 2026)
- Place of birth: Malibu, California, United States
Jaden Smith, the son of Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith, has been acting since childhood. His roles in The Karate Kid and After Earth have cemented his place in Hollywood. Jaden Smith is also a talented musician and fashion icon.
21. Skylan Brooks (27 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Skylan Brooks
- Date of birth: 12 February 1999
- Age: 27 years old (as of 2026)
- Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
Brooks is one of the famous young black male actors on Netflix in 2026. He is best known for playing Mister in The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete. Skylan Brooks also played the role of Ra-Ra in the Netflix musical series The Get Down and Charles "Chubs" Meriwether in The Darkest Minds.
20. Michael Rainey Jr. (26 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Michael Rainey Jr.
- Date of birth: 22 September 2000
- Age: 26 years old (as of 2026)
- Place of birth: Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Michael Rainey Jr. is a promising young American-Jamaican actor. He is best known for his role as Tariq St. Patrick on Power and Power Book II: Ghost. He has also appeared on Orange Is the New Black, LUV, and Un altro mondo, among many others.
19. J.D. (26 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Jonathan Pierce Daviss
- Date of birth: 28 February 2000
- Age: 26 years old (as of 2026)
- Place of birth: Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Jonathan Pierce Daviss played football in high school before becoming an actor. He stars as Pope Heyward in the Netflix drama series Outer Banks. Actor J.D. was also featured in Do Revenge and Revolution.
18. Tremaine Brown Jr. (26 years old)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Tremaine Brown Jr.
- Date of birth: 23 January 2000
- Age: 26 years old (as of 2026)
- Place of birth: United States
Tremaine Brown Jr. is an American actor best known for his portrayal of Boo-Boo Kipling on the Netflix original series The Get Down. He made his debut on the show in 2016 during its 1st season.
17. Marcus Scribner (26 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Marcus Scribner
- Date of birth: 7 January 2000
- Age: 26 years old (as of 2026)
- Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
Marcus began studying acting at age 7 and was 10 when he was booked for his first guest-star role on the ABC crime dramedy Castle. The actor is best known for starring as Andre "Junior" Johnson Jr. in the ABC sitcom Black-ish and Junior in its spin-off Grown-ish. Marcus Scribner has also appeared in Dragons: The Nine Realms and Along for the Ride.
16. Jaden Harmon (25 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Jaden Harmon
- Date of birth: 14 October 2000
- Age: 25 years old (as of May 2026)
- Place of birth: United Kingdom
Jaden Harmon is an American actor who voiced Denzil in the American dub of Chuggington. He is most famously known for his role as Andre in One Tree Hill. He also featured in Drop Dead Diva, Homeland, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Blue Bloods, and The Game.
15. McCarrie McCausland (25 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: McCarrie McCausland
- Date of birth: 19 August 2000
- Age: 25 years old (as of May 2026)
- Place of birth: Orlando, Florida, United States
McCarrie McCausland is possibly the most underrated young Black actor of his calibre. He began his television career in 2011, portraying David Burton on ABC/Lifetime's hit series Army Wives and was nominated for a Young Artist Award for that role.
McCarrie landed the recurring role of Young Marcel on The Originals. In 2015, he began filming NBC's Game of Silence, playing Young Shawn.
14. Jahking Guillory (25 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Jahking Guillory
- Date of birth: 14 May 2001
- Age: 25 years old (as of 2026)
- Place of birth: Long Beach, California, United States
Jahking is one of the famous young black actors in Hollywood. The actor is best known for his starring role in the 2016 film Kicks. Jahking Guillory also appears in Showtime's The Chi and Netflix's On My Block.
13. Niles Fitch (24 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Niles Fitch
- Date of birth: 12 July 2001
- Age: 24 years old (as of May 2026)
- Place of birth: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Actor Niles Fitch began his career as a child actor and gained prominence through his role in the NBC series This Is Us. He received praise for his performance in the film The Fallout. Since his father died of lupus when Niles was 12, he has served as an ambassador for Lupus LA.
12. Abraham Attah (24 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Abraham Nii Attah
- Date of birth: 2 July 2001
- Age: 24 years old (as of May 2026)
- Place of birth: Ashiaman, Tema, Accra, Ghana
Abraham Nii Attah is a Ghanaian actor based in the United States. He made his feature-film debut in Beasts of No Nation in 2015 as the child soldier Agu. The role earned him the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor at the 72nd Venice International Film Festival. Abraham Attah also appeared in the Marvel Studios film Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017.
11. Chosen Jacobs (24 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Chosen Jacobs
- Date of birth: 1 July 2001
- Age: 24 years old (as of May 2026)
- Place of birth: Springfield, Massachusetts, United States
Chosen Jacobs, a multifaceted actor, singer, and producer, is best known for his recurring role as Will Grover on the CBS series Hawaii Five-0 and his role as Mike Hanlon in the 2017 film It Chapter Two. Chosen Jacobs started acting when his mother enrolled him in theatre classes.
10. Myles Truitt (24 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Myles Truitt
- Date of birth: 1 February 2002
- Age: 24 years old (as of 2026)
- Place of birth: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Truitt became interested in acting at the age of 11. The actor is best known for his breakout role as Eli Solinski in the 2018 action film Kin. Myles Truitt also plays Ant in Queen Sugar and Issa Williams on Black Lightning.
9. Akili McDowell (23 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Akili McDowell
- Date of birth: 30 December 2002
- Age: 23 years old (as of May 2026)
- Place of birth: San Francisco, California, United States
Actor Akili McDowell is known for his roles in David Makes Man and Criminal Activities. The actor was arrested in August 2024 in connection with the murder of Cesar Peralta. The victim was shot and killed in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Houston in July 2024. McDowell was taken into custody and charged with murder and theft.
8. Jahi Winston (22 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Jahi Di'Allo Winston
- Date of birth: 30 November 2003
- Age: 22 years old (as of May 2026)
- Place of birth: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
As young as he is, Jahi Di'Allo has made several appearances in films such as The Upside, Proud Mary, Charm City Kings, and We Have a Ghost. He is also a talented musician.
7. Nathaniel McIntyre (22 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Nathaniel Logan McIntyre
- Date of birth: 20 August 2003
- Age: 22 years old (as of May 2026)
- Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
Actor Nathaniel McIntyre always had an interest in drama as a child. He made a debut in the TV series Celebrity Ghost Stories. He has also appeared in Magic Camp, David Makes Man, The Equaliser, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, and Horror Noire.
6. Asante Blackk (24 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Asante Duah Ma'at
- Date of birth: 20 October 2001
- Age: 24 years old (as of May 2026)
- Place of birth: Waldorf, Maryland, United States
Actor Asante Blackk made his career debut in the critically acclaimed miniseries When They See Us, for which he received an Emmy nomination. He has since appeared in TV shows such as This is Us and Social Distance.
5. Caleb McLaughlin (24 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Caleb Reginald McLaughlin
- Date of birth: 13 October 2001
- Age: 24 years old (as of May 2026)
- Place of birth: Carmel Hamlet, New York, United States
With his undeniable talent and versatility, Caleb McLaughlin has proven himself to be among the best young black male actors under 25. He became a household name by portraying Lucas Sinclair in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things. He has also starred in films such as Concrete Cowboy and High Flying Bird.
4. Miles Brown (21 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Miles Brown
- Date of birth: 28 December 2004
- Age: 21 years old (as of May 2026)
- Place of birth: Oxnard, California, United States
Best known for his role in the TV show Black-ish, Miles Brown has also appeared in Queens & Kings Shopping Cart Race, Sherman's Showcase, and Boy Genius. He is also a talented dancer, best known by his stage name Baby Boogaloo. He is among the famous young black actors making it great in Hollywood.
3. Issac Ryan Brown (20 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Issac Ryan Brown
- Date of birth: 12 July 2005
- Age: 20 years old (as of May 2026)
- Place of birth: Detroit, Michigan, United States
Issac Ryan Brown is an American actor, rapper, and singer. He is known for his role as Booker in Disney Channel's Raven's Home, which earned him a nomination at the 48th Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Principal Performance in a Children's Program, and his role as Augustus "Gus" Porter in The Owl House.
2. Lonnie Chavis (18 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Lonnie Chavis Jr.
- Date of birth: 23 November 2007
- Age: 18 years old (as of May 2026)
- Place of birth: Southern California, California, United States
Lonnie Chavis Jr. is an American actor and activist best known for playing young Randall Pearson on NBC's This Is Us. He earned ensemble recognition with a Screen Actors Guild Award win for the series. Chavis also starred in Showtime's White Famous and led the cast of the 2020 feature film The Water Man.
1. Cayden K. Williams (17 years old)
Source: UGC
- Full name: Cayden K. Williams
- Date of birth: 22 October 2008
- Age: 17 years old (as of May 2026)
- Place of birth: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
When speaking of young black actors under 20, Cayden K. Williams should be at the top of the list. He is known for Girls Trip (2017), Beautifully Broken (2018), and David Makes Man (2019).
Who is the highest-paid black actor under 30?
Michael Evans Behling, Miles Brown, Jahi Winston, Marcus Scribner, Jaden Smith, Micheal Ward, and Trevor Jackson are some of Hollywood's highest-paid black actors under 30.
Who was the first Black Hollywood star?
Josephine Baker earned the title of “The First Black Superstar" with her first credited appearance in 1927. Due to racism in the US at the time, many of her early films were made in France. She made films for about 20 years.
Who was the Black singer and actress?
Cassandra Monique Batie (born on 30 December 1984) was known professionally as Andra Day. She was the first black singer to become an actress. Cassandra sang in the R&B and soul music.
Who is the youngest Black executive producer?
Guinness World Records recognised Marsai Martin as the youngest person to serve as an executive producer on a major Hollywood film after working on her film Little.
Who is the most successful black actor?
Some of the most successful black actors are Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Morgan Freeman, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Will Smith.
Who is the most iconic black actor?
The most iconic Black actor is subjective, but Sidney Poitier is widely considered one of the most significant for being the first Black man to win an Oscar for Best Actor. Other actors frequently mentioned as among the most iconic and influential include Denzel Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, and Morgan Freeman due to their prolific and critically acclaimed careers.
Who are some black actors under 50?
As of 2026, some of the black actors under 50 who have made significant headway in Hollywood include:
- Donald Glover
- Michael B. Jordan
- Damson Idris
- John Boyega
These famous young black actors in Hollywood are breaking barriers, showcasing their talents, and bringing diversity to Hollywood. With the rise of streaming and the demand for inclusive stories, they will continue to lead the industry.
Legit.ng listed some of the richest Nollywood actors and their net worth. Nollywood is one of the largest film industries in the world.
With millions of fans worldwide, most Nollywood actors have amassed tremendous wealth through their work in the industry.
Source: Legit.ng
Peris Wamangu (Lifestyle writer) Peris Wamangu is a reporter who also has experience working as a content writer for three years. She joined Legit 's team in 2021. Peris graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Nairobi in 2019. She enjoys writing about various topics such as fashion, currency, biographies, entertainment and business. In 2023, Peris finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. Email: wamanguperis@gmail.com
Peris Walubengo (Lifestyle writer) Peris Walubengo has vast experience in search engine optimization through digital content generation, research, editing, and proofreading. She joined Legit.ng in April 2022 and completed the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques in 2023. In 2024, she pursued further skill growth via the Google News Initiative training program on Fighting Misinformation. You can email her at perisrodah254@gmail.com.
