List of black Academy Award winners and nominees - wikipedia List of black Academy Award winners and nominees Hattie McDaniel was the first African American to win an Academy Award, in 1939. This list of black Academy Award winners and nominees is current as of the 88th Academy Awards ceremony held on February 28, 2016, and incomplete with regard to the nominees for the 89th Academy Awards. Contents 1 Best Actor in a Leading Role 2 Best Actress in a Leading Role 3 Best Actor in a Supporting Role 4 Best Actress in a Supporting Role 5 Best cinematography 6 Best Costume Design 7 Best Director 8 Best Documentary Feature 9 Best Documentary Short Subject 10 Best Film Editing 11 Best Music, Original Score 12 Best Music, Original Song 13 Best Picture 14 Best Short Film ( Live Action ) 15 Best Sound Mixing 16 Best Writing ( Adapted Screenplay ) 17 Best Writing ( Original Screenplay ) 18 Special awards 19 See also 20 References Best Actor in a leading role Best Actor in a Leading Role Year Name Film Role Status Milestone 1958 Sidney Poitier The Defiant Ones Noah Cullen Nominated First African - American actor to be nominated for Best Actor. 1963 Lilies of the Field Homer Smith Won First black male to win an Oscar. First African - American actor to win Best Actor. First African - American actor to receive two acting nominations ( Best Actor ). Youngest African - American actor to win Best Actor ( age 37 ). 1970 James Earl Jones The Great White Hope Jack Jefferson Nominated 1972 Paul Winfield Sounder Nathan Lee Morgan Nominated First film to feature African - American nominees for both Best Actor and Best Actress. 1986 Dexter Gordon Round Midnight Dale Turner Nominated First jazz musician to be nominated for Best Actor. 1989 Morgan Freeman Driving Miss Daisy Hoke Colburn Nominated 1992 Denzel Washington Malcolm X Malcolm X Nominated 1993 Laurence Fishburne What 's Love Got to Do with It Ike Turner Nominated Second film to feature African - American nominees for both Best Actor and Best Actress. 1994 Morgan Freeman The Shawshank Redemption Ellis Boyd ' Red ' Redding Nominated 1999 Denzel Washington The Hurricane Rubin Carter Nominated 2001 Training Day Alonzo Harris Won Second African - American actor to receive the award for Best Actor. First time two African - American performers won in leading role Oscars in the same year ( Halle Berry, Monster 's Ball ). Will Smith Ali Muhammad Ali Nominated First time multiple African - American actors received Best Actor nominations. Jamie Foxx Ray Ray Charles Won First African - American actor to receive two acting nominations in the same year. Don Cheadle Hotel Rwanda Paul Rusesabagina Nominated 2005 Terrence Howard Hustle & Flow DJay Nominated 2006 Forest Whitaker The Last King of Scotland Idi Amin Won Will Smith The Pursuit of Happyness Chris Gardner Nominated 2009 Morgan Freeman Invictus Nelson Mandela Nominated 2012 Denzel Washington Flight William `` Whip '' Whitaker Nominated 2013 Chiwetel Ejiofor 12 Years a Slave Solomon Northup Nominated First black British actor to be nominated for Best Actor. 2016 Denzel Washington Fences Troy Maxson Nominated Denzel Washington has the most nominations for an African - American Actor : Best Actor ( 5 nominations ) and Best Supporting Actor ( 2 nominations ). Best Actress in a leading role Best Actress in a Leading Role Year Name Film Role Status Milestone 1954 Dorothy Dandridge Carmen Jones Carmen Jones Nominated First African - American actress to be nominated for Best Actress. 1972 Diana Ross Lady Sings the Blues Billie Holiday Nominated First African - American actress to receive an Academy Award nomination for a debut film performance. First time multiple African - American actresses received Best Actress nominations. Cicely Tyson Sounder Rebecca Morgan Nominated First film to feature African - American nominees for both Best Actor and Best Actress. First time multiple African - American actresses received Best Actress nominations. Diahann Carroll Claudine Claudine Nominated 1985 Whoopi Goldberg The Color Purple Celie Johnson Nominated First time multiple African - American actresses received nominations for the same film. 1993 Angela Bassett What 's Love Got to Do with It Tina Turner Nominated Second film to feature African - American nominees for both Best Actor and Best Actress. 2001 Halle Berry Monster 's Ball Leticia Musgrove Won First African - American actress to win Best Actress. First time two African - American performers won in leading role Oscars in the same year ( Denzel Washington, Training Day ). 2009 Gabourey Sidibe Precious Claireece `` Precious '' Jones Nominated Second film to feature African - American nominees for both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. Second African - American actress to receive a lead Academy Award nomination for a debut film performance. 2011 Viola Davis The Help Aibileen Clark Nominated Third film to feature African - American nominees for both Best Actress and Supporting Actress categories. 2012 Quvenzhané Wallis Beasts of the Southern Wild Hushpuppy Nominated Youngest ever Best Actress nominee ( aged 9 ). Third African - American actress to receive a lead Academy Award nomination for a debut film performance. 2016 Ruth Negga Loving Mildred Loving Nominated First black Irish actress to be nominated. First black African ( Ethiopia ) actress to be nominated in lead. Best Actor in a Supporting role Best Actor in a Supporting Role Year Name Film Role Status Milestone 1969 Rupert Crosse The Reivers Ned Nominated First African - American actor to be nominated for Best Supporting Actor. 1981 Howard Rollins Ragtime Coalhouse Walker Jr. Nominated 1982 Louis Gossett Jr. An Officer and a Gentleman Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley Won First African - American actor to win Best Supporting Actor. 1984 Adolph Caesar A Soldier 's Story Sgt. Waters Nominated Morgan Freeman Street Smart Fast Black Nominated First time multiple African - American actors received Best Supporting Actor nominations. Denzel Washington Cry Freedom Steve Biko Nominated 1989 Glory Pvt. Trip Won First African - American actor to receive two Best Supporting Actor nominations. 1992 Jaye Davidson The Crying Game Dil Nominated First black actor to receive an Academy Award nomination for a debut film performance. Youngest black actor to receive an Academy Award nomination ( age 24 ) First black British actor to receive an Academy Award nomination. 1994 Samuel L. Jackson Pulp Fiction Jules Winnfield Nominated Cuba Gooding Jr. Jerry Maguire Rod Tidwell Won Youngest African - American male actor to win an Academy Award ( age 29 ). 1999 Michael Clarke Duncan The Green Mile John Coffey Nominated 2003 Djimon Hounsou In America Mateo Nominated First black actor born in Africa ( specifically in Benin ) to receive an Academy Award nomination. Morgan Freeman Million Dollar Baby Eddie ' Scrap - Iron ' Dupris Won Oldest African - American actor to win an Academy Award ( age 67 ). Jamie Foxx Collateral Max Nominated First African - American actor to receive two acting nominations in the same year. 2006 Djimon Hounsou Blood Diamond Solomon Vandy Nominated Eddie Murphy Dreamgirls James ' Thunder ' Early Nominated First film to feature African - American nominees for both Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress. 2013 Barkhad Abdi Captain Phillips Abduwali Muse Nominated Second black actor born in Africa ( specifically in Somalia ) to receive an Academy Award nomination. Second black actor to receive an Academy Award nomination for a debut performance. 2016 Mahershala Ali Moonlight Juan Won Second film to feature black nominees for both Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress. First Muslim actor to win an Oscar. First time two African - American performers won in supporting role Oscars in the same year ( Viola Davis, Fences ). Best Actress in a Supporting role Best Actress in a Supporting Role Year Name Film Role Status Milestone 1939 Hattie McDaniel Gone with the Wind Mammy Won First African - American to win an Academy Award. First African - American to be nominated for acting. 1949 Ethel Waters Pinky Mrs. Dicey Johnson ( Pinky 's Granny ) Nominated Second African - American person to be nominated for an Academy Award. 1959 Juanita Moore Imitation of Life Annie Johnson Nominated 1967 Beah Richards Guess Who 's Coming to Dinner Mrs. Prentice Nominated If Carol Channing 's claim of African - American heritage is accurate ( it was not known at the time and has not been independently confirmed ), this would be the first time multiple African - American actresses received Best Supporting Actress nominations Alfre Woodard Cross Creek Geechee Nominated 1985 Margaret Avery The Color Purple Shug Avery Nominated First ( or second, see Beah Richards above ) time multiple African - American actresses received Best Supporting Actress nominations. First time multiple African - American actresses received nominations for the same film. Oprah Winfrey Sofia Nominated 1990 Whoopi Goldberg Ghost Oda Mae Brown Won First African - American actress to receive two acting nominations overall. Second African - American actress to win Best Supporting Actress. Marianne Jean - Baptiste Secrets & Lies Hortense Cumberbatch Nominated First black British actress to receive an Academy Award nomination. 2002 Queen Latifah Chicago Matron Mama Morton Nominated First female hip hop artist to be nominated for an Academy Award. Sophie Okonedo Hotel Rwanda Tatiana Rusesabagina Nominated Second black British actress to receive an Academy Award nomination. 2006 Jennifer Hudson Dreamgirls Effie White Won Youngest African - American actor ( male or female ) to win an Academy Award ( age 25 ). First film to feature African - American nominees for both Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress. 2007 Ruby Dee American Gangster Mama Lucas Nominated Oldest African - American actress to be nominated for an Academy Award ( age 83 ). 2008 Viola Davis Doubt Mrs. Miller Nominated Second ( or third, see Beah Richards above ) time multiple African - American actresses received Best Supporting Actress nominations. Taraji P. Henson The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Queenie Nominated 2009 Mo'Nique Precious Mary Lee Johnston Won Second film to feature African - American nominees for both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. 2011 Octavia Spencer The Help Minny Jackson Won Third film to feature African - American nominees for both Best Actress and Supporting Actress. 2013 Lupita Nyong'o 12 Years a Slave Patsey Won First black African ( Kenyan ) actress to be nominated. First black African to win in any category. 2016 Viola Davis Fences Rose Maxson Won Most nominated black actress ever with three nominations. First time two African - American performers won in supporting role Oscars in the same year ( Mahershala Ali, Moonlight ). Naomie Harris Moonlight Paula Nominated Third black British actress to receive an Academy Award nomination Second film to feature black nominees for both Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress. Octavia Spencer Hidden Figures Dorothy Vaughan Nominated Third black actress following Whoopi Goldberg and Viola Davis to earn multiple Oscar nominations. First black actress to be nominated after previously winning. Best Cinematography Academy Award for Best Cinematography Year Name Film Status Milestone 1998 Remi Adefarasin Elizabeth Nominated First black person to be nominated for Best Cinematography. 2016 Bradford Young Arrival Nominated First African - American to be nominated in the category. Best Costume Design Academy Award for Best Costume Design Year Name Film Status Milestone 1992 Ruth E. Carter Malcolm X Nominated First African - American to be nominated for Best Costume Design. 1997 Amistad Nominated Sharen Davis Ray Nominated 2006 Dreamgirls Nominated Best director Academy Award for Best Director Year Name Film Status Milestone 1991 John Singleton Boyz n the Hood Nominated First African - American to be nominated for Best Director. Youngest person ever nominated in this category ( age 24 ). 2009 Lee Daniels Precious Nominated Second African - American to earn a Best Director nomination. First African - American director to earn a Best Picture nomination. 2013 Steve McQueen 12 Years a Slave Nominated First black British to earn a Best Director nomination. First black director to direct a Best Picture winning film. First black director to earn an Oscar for Best Picture. 2016 Barry Jenkins Moonlight Nominated Second black American to direct a Best Picture winning film. Best Documentary feature Academy Award for Documentary Feature Year Name Film Status Milestone 1990 Yvonne Smith ( producer ) Adam Clayton Powell Nominated Shared with Richard Kilberg. First African - American producer to be nominated for Best Documentary Feature. 1997 Spike Lee ( director / producer ) Samuel D. Pollard ( producer ) 4 Little Girls Nominated First African - American director to be nominated for Best Documentary Feature. Karolyn Ali ( producer ) Tupac : Resurrection Nominated 2012 T.J. Martin ( director ) Undefeated Won First African - American person to win in this category. First African - American director to win in this category. 2016 Ava DuVernay ( director / producer ) 13th Nominated First black woman director to be nominated in this category. Roger Ross Williams ( director / producer ) Life, Animated Nominated shared with Julie Golden Raoul Peck ( director ) Hébert Peck ( producer ) I Am Not Your Negro Nominated First Haitian person to be nominated in this category Ezra Edelman ( director / producer ) O.J. : Made in America Won Best Documentary Short Subject Academy Award for Documentary Short Subject Year Name Film Status Milestone 2000 Leelai Demoz On Tiptoe : Gentle Steps to Freedom Nominated Shared nomination with Eric Simonson. First African - American person to be nominated for Best Documentary Short Subject. 2009 Roger Ross Williams Music by Prudence Won Shared nomination with Elinor Burkett. First African - American person to win Best Documentary Short Subject. Best film Editing Academy Award for Film Editing Year Name Film Status Milestone 1969 Hugh A. Robertson Midnight Cowboy Nominated First African - American person to be nominated for Best Editing. 2016 Joi McMillon Moonlight Nominated First African - American woman to be nominated for Best Editing. Best Music, Original Score Academy Award for Original Music Score Year Name Country Film Status Milestone 1961 Duke Ellington Paris Blues Nominated First African - American person to be nominated for Best Original Score. Nominated for Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture. 1967 Quincy Jones In Cold Blood Nominated 1971 Isaac Hayes Shaft Nominated Nominated for Best Music, Original Dramatic Score. 1972 Gil Askey Lady Sings the Blues Nominated First African - American person to be nominated in the Scoring Original Song Score and / or Adaptation ( which is different from Best Original Score category ). 1978 Quincy Jones The Wiz Nominated First African - American person to be nominated in the Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score ( which is different from Best Original Score category ). 1984 Prince Purple Rain Won First African - American winner of Best Original Song Score ( which is different from Best Original Score category ) ; this category was retired afterwards. 1985 Quincy Jones Andrae Crouch Caiphus Semenya The Color Purple Nominated Shared nomination with 9 other composers. Caiphus Semenya becomes the first black South African to be nominated for an Academy Award. 1986 Herbie Hancock Round Midnight Won First African - American winner of Best Original Score. Jonas Gwangwa Cry Freedom Nominated Shared nomination with George Fenton Best Music, Original Song Academy Award for Best Original Song Year Name Country Film Song Status Milestone 1967 Quincy Jones Bob Russell Banning `` The Eyes of Love '' Nominated First African - American people to be nominated for Best Original Song. 1968 For Love of Ivy `` For Love of Ivy '' Nominated First African - American people to be nominated twice for Best Original Song. 1971 Isaac Hayes Shaft `` Theme from Shaft '' Won First African - American winner for Best Original Song. First African - American winner for any award other than in the acting categories. 1981 Lionel Richie Endless Love `` Endless Love '' Nominated Irene Cara Flashdance `` Flashdance... What a Feeling '' Won First African - American woman to win a non-acting Academy Award. Only African - American woman to win a competitive, non-acting Academy Award. Shared nomination and win with Giorgio Moroder and Keith Forsey. 1984 Stevie Wonder The Woman in Red `` I Just Called to Say I Love You '' Won 1984 Ray Parker Jr. Ghostbusters `` Ghostbusters '' Nominated 1985 Lionel Richie White Nights `` Say You, Say Me '' Won Quincy Jones Lionel Richie The Color Purple `` Miss Celie 's Blues '' Nominated Shared nomination with Rod Temperton Jonas Gwangwa Cry Freedom `` Cry Freedom '' Nominated First black South African to be nominated in this category. Shared nomination with George Fenton. 1988 Lamont Dozier Buster `` Two Hearts '' Nominated Shared nomination with Phil Collins. 1993 Janet Jackson Jimmy Jam Terry Lewis Poetic Justice `` Again '' Nominated 1994 James Ingram Beethoven 's 2nd `` The Day I Fall In Love '' Nominated Shared nomination with Carole Bayer Sager and Cliff Magness. 1995 Junior `` Look What Love Has Done '' Nominated Shared nomination with Carole Bayer Sager, James Newton Howard and Patty Smyth. 2005 Frayser Boy Juicy J DJ Paul Hustle & Flow `` It 's Hard Out Here for a Pimp '' Won First African - American rappers to win an Academy Award. 2006 Siedah Garrett Dreamgirls `` Love You I Do '' Nominated Shared nomination with Henry Krieger. 2007 Jamal Joseph Charles Mack Tevin Thomas August Rush `` Raise It Up '' Nominated 2011 Carlinhos Brown Siedah Garrett Rio `` Real in Rio '' Nominated Shared nomination with Sergio Mendes. Garrett is the most nominated African - American female songwriter ( 2 nominations ). Brown is the first black Latin American nominated for Best Original Song. 2013 Pharrell Williams Despicable Me 2 `` Happy '' Nominated 2014 Common John Legend Selma `` Glory '' Won 2015 DaHeala The Weeknd Fifty Shades of Grey `` Earned It '' Nominated Shared nomination with Belly and Stephan Moccio. The Weeknd and DaHeala are the first black Canadians nominated for Best Original Song. Best Picture Academy Award for Best Picture Year Name Film Status Milestone 1985 Quincy Jones The Color Purple Nominated First African - American producer whose film was nominated for Best Picture. 2009 Lee Daniels Precious Nominated First African - American director whose film was nominated for Best Picture. First time two films with African - American producers were nominated for Best Picture. Broderick Johnson The Blind Side Nominated First time two films with African - American producers were nominated for Best Picture. 2012 Reginald Hudlin Django Unchained Nominated 2013 Steve McQueen 12 Years a Slave Won First black producer to win Best Picture. 2014 Oprah Winfrey Selma Nominated First black female producer nominated for Best Picture. 2016 Denzel Washington Fences Nominated First time that three films with black producers were nominated for Best Picture. Pharrell Williams Hidden Figures Nominated Kimberly Steward Manchester by the Sea Nominated Best Short film ( Live Action ) Academy Award for Live Action Short Film Year Name Film Status Milestone 1991 David Massey Last Breeze of Summer Nominated First African - American person ( male or female ) to be nominated for Short Film ( Live Action ). 1995 Dianne Houston Tuesday Morning Ride Nominated First African - American female to be nominated for Short Film ( Live Action ). Best Sound Mixing Academy Award for Sound Year Name Film Status Milestone 1978 Willie D. Burton The Buddy Holly Story Nominated First African - American person to be nominated for Best Sound. 1980 Altered States Nominated First African - American person to be nominated multiple times for Best Sound. WarGames Nominated 1988 Bird Won First African - American person to win Best Sound. 1989 Russell Williams Glory Won Second African - American person to win Best Sound. 1990 Dances with Wolves Won First African - American person to win multiple Academy Awards in any category. First and only African - American to win consecutive awards in any category. 1994 Willie D. Burton The Shawshank Redemption Nominated 1999 The Green Mile Nominated 2006 Dreamgirls Won First African - American person to be nominated, and to win, after category was renamed `` Sound Mixing ''. Best Writing ( Adapted Screenplay ) Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay Year Name Film Adapted From Status Milestone 1972 Lonne Elder Sounder Sounder by William H. Armstrong Nominated First African - American nominee for Best Writing ( Adapted Screenplay ). 1984 Charles Fuller A Soldier 's Story A Soldier 's Play by Charles Fuller Nominated 2009 Geoffrey Fletcher Precious Push by Sapphire Won First African - American to win a screenplay Academy Award ( Adapted Screenplay ). 2013 John Ridley 12 Years a Slave Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup Won Second African - American to win a screenplay Academy Award ( Adapted Screenplay ). First African - American writer to have written a film that won Best Picture. 2016 Barry Jenkins Tarell Alvin McCraney Moonlight In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue by Tarell Alvin McCraney Won August Wilson Fences Fences by August Wilson Nominated First African - American writer to receive a posthumous nomination in this category Best Writing ( Original Screenplay ) Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay Year Name Film Status Milestone 1972 Suzanne de Passe Lady Sings the Blues Nominated Shared nomination with co-writers Chris Clark and Terence McCloy. First African - American nominee for Best Writing ( Original Screenplay ). First African - American female nominated for screen - writing. 1989 Spike Lee Do the Right Thing Nominated First African - American male to be nominated for Best Writing ( Original Screenplay ). 1991 John Singleton Boyz n the Hood Nominated Special Awards Special Awards Year Name Award 1948 James Baskett Academy Special Award, for his characterization of Uncle Remus in Song of the South. 1995 Quincy Jones Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award 2001 Sidney Poitier Academy Honorary Award, `` for his extraordinary performances and unique presence on the screen and for representing the industry with dignity, style and intelligence ''. 2011 James Earl Jones Academy Honorary Award, `` for his legacy of consistent excellence and uncommon versatility '' Oprah Winfrey Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award 2014 Harry Belafonte Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award 2015 Spike Lee Academy Honorary Award, `` filmmaker, educator, motivator, iconoclast, artist... ( and ) a champion of independent film and an inspiration to young filmmakers '' See also Film portal Academy Award portal Cheryl Boone Isaacs, first African - American president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ( but not herself an Oscar winner or nominee ) List of African Academy Award winners and nominees List of African - American Tony nominees and winners List of Asian Academy Award winners and nominees List of black Golden Globe Award winners and nominees List of black Primetime Emmy Award winners and nominees List of Hispanic - American ( U.S. ) Academy Award winners and nominees References General `` Winners and Nominees ''. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved September 21, 2011. Specific Academy Awards lists Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ( AMPAS ) Records Oscar season Oscar speech History of film Most wins per ceremony Combined major Oscars Superlatives Big Five All four acting categories Combined major awards Academy, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award careers Acting All nominees Best Actor ( by age ) Best Actress ( by age ) Best Supporting Actor ( by age ) Best Supporting Actress ( by age ) Acting noms in foreign language Actor multi-nom years Multi-Best Picture acting careers Multi-win Actors Multi-nom Actors Love curse Directing Best Director ( by age ) Multi-win Directors Film Films Best Picture milestones Foreign - language wins Foreign - language nominees Foreign - language noms in other categories Foreign - language : count by country Animated feature noms in other categories Ethnicity African Argentine Asian Australian Black Brazilian British Canadian Chilean Colombian Cuban French German - speaking Greek Hispanic - American ( U.S. ) Indian Iranian Italian Jewish Latin American Mexican New Zealand Nordic Pakistani Polish Puerto Rican Spanish Uruguayan Other Ceremonies Families Fictitious LGBT Multi-win years Posthumous Best Picture Presenters Trophy displays Oldest & Youngest Awards for Walt Disney Book Portal Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_black_Academy_Award_winners_and_nominees&oldid=796053400 '' Categories : Academy Awards lists Lists of black people Talk Contents About Wikipedia Português Edit links This page was last edited on 18 August 2017, at 05 : 01. 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Question: who was the first african-american and the youngest person ever to be nominated for best director
Answer: John Singleton