21 Hottest Black Male Celebrities

Let’s be real, there are plenty of hot black men in our movies and on our TV screens. Sometimes you see them and forget their name, or if you’ve only seen them in one thing you may forget about them all together.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could find them all in one easy to read guide? Well, here are the hottest black male celebrities in the world. Enjoy!

1) Idris Elba

If you’re looking for a one-man band in the entertainment field, Idris Elba is your man. English-born Elba is a musician, DJ, singer, rapper, writer, actor, and producer nominated for Golden Globe awards four times. You can also hear Elba lending his voice to animated movies such as Zootopia and Finding Dory.

In 2017, he was named Britain’s male “Rear of the Year,” followed in 2018 by Time magazine naming Idris as the Sexiest Man Alive. He is an activist along with his wife, Sabrina, empowering those that struggle with food security.

2) Rege-Jean Page

Born in Zimbabwe in 1988, Rege-Jean Page is truly one of the hottest black male celebrities. His first acting role in 2001 was Tanaka in the television series Gimme 6, followed by several other parts in the BBC and United States.

An accomplished actor and model, Rege-John became a household name for most after appearing as the smoldering Duke of Hastings in the Netflix series Bridgerton.

2023 launched Page in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves as Xenk, the hero with proper speech and combat skills supreme.

3) Taye Diggs

Actor, singer, producer, author, and father is what Taye Diggs is all about. After making his Broadway debut in 1994 as a cast member of the musical Carousel, he went on to play Benny the Landlord in Rent and later made his film debut in How Stella Got Her Groove Back.

From 2007-2013, we watched Diggs as Dr. Sam Bennett in Private Practice. When the show aired its final episode, Diggs went on to play parts in various shows across television networks.

Accomplishing dozens of roles in film and on stage with no end in sight for his career, expect to see Diggs in an upcoming BET+ film series soon.

4) Nate Burleson

No matter what your idea of celebrity definition is, Nate Burleson hits most of them. He is charismatic, impeccably dressed, can charm with a smile, and has a shoe closet the size of a small apartment.

Starting as a wide receiver in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings and later playing for the Seattle Seahawks, the Detroit Lions, and a short stint for the Cleveland Browns, Burleson was the face of Good Morning Football before moving on to a co-host of CBS Mornings.

5) Marcus Stroman

Currently one of the hottest pitchers in the MLB, Marcus Stroman is also a mental health advocate with a strong voice, especially for today’s youth. This tatted-up black male role model has a lot on his plate.

At 5’7”, Stroman may be of shorter stature than most pitchers in the MLB, but his career with the Toronto Blue Jays, the New York Mets, and as one of the Chicago Cubs starting bump men proves he has what it takes to be one of the best.

A recently published book titled “The Grip” which discusses mental health issues faced by the youth of today in society and how to believe in yourself. He believes in the importance and support of family, and his smile blazes when he speaks of his parents.

6) Hisham Tawfiq

The man behind the brooding eyes and fierce facade in The Blacklist is Hisham Tawfig, a former U.S. Marine turned performer on stage, in television, and on film. His African accent, which is skillfully rehearsed, is part of his ability to convince audiences during roles.

Born and raised in the Muslim faith, Tawfiq understands how people can be quick to judge. After starting down the wrong path following his father’s death, he dove head first into dance but later enlisted in a snap decision.

In addition to being a strong actor, Tawfiq has also been a corrections officer and a firefighter in New York.

7) Kelly Oubre Jr.

Standing 6’6”, the Charlotte Hornets shooting guard is a star player in the NBA. From modest beginnings, Kelly lived in some of New Orleans’s toughest housing projects and experienced Hurricane Katrina firsthand.

During a two-year stint with the Phoenix Suns, Oubre Jr. developed a line of merchandise supporting the local community. As a result of his exposure to the destruction of Katrine, a portion of the merchandise proceeds were donated to victims of Hurricane Dorrian.

Although sidelined with injuries that impeded his NBA action, Oubre Jr. plans to return to the court soon with his blonde tips and all-encompassing smile. Until then, Oubre Jr. was active in his community and adored by fans from sound the world.

(8) Snoop Dogg

Without Snoop Dawg, no list of the hottest black male celebrities would be complete. After Dr. Dre discovered this man’s talent as a rapper in 1992, he has taken the world by storm in many facets. With over 23 million albums sold, he has zero plans of flying under the radar any time soon.

Not afraid to speak his mind and say his piece, Snoop Dogg is a beloved icon and has some unusual acquaintances such as Anna Kendrick and, yes, Martha Stewart. He is a powerful influence whether you agree with some of his life choices.

Wading through and surviving poverty, drugs, fame, and everything in between, Snoop Dogg is one of the hottest black male celebrities around.

9) Charles Michael Davis

Dayton, Ohio, is not a notable hotbed of celebrities. But we have to ask ourselves, “Who is that man in The Originals?” The one with a smile that makes you forget your name?

The incredible love scene in season 2, episode 1 is enough to curl anyone’s toes. The part of Marcel is played by American actor, model, producer, and director Charles Michael Davis, born in – you guessed it – Dayton.

With appearances in Grey’s Anatomy, Younger, and NCIS: New Orleans, this hot, black male celebrity is making himself seen as Marcel Gerard in Legacies.

10) Derrick Rose

Raised in one of Chicago’s most dangerous South-Side neighborhoods, Derrick Rose found his skill playing basketball on the streets of Chicago and was heavily recruited for his entire high school career. With careful guidance from his mother, he accepted a basketball scholarship at the University of Memphis.

After trials and tribulations over alleged ACT fraud, Rose declined to play his last three seasons with Memphis, declaring for the 2008 NBA draft. Rose was selected as the number one overall draft pick in 2008 by the Chicago Bulls as a point guard and has been traded around the NBA since.

After suffering repeat injuries from 2011 to 2021, with a potential career-ending injury in 2021, Rose lost his place in the rotation. Although he is still a member of the New York Knicks, his aspirations include building a library if he is not picked up by the Phoenix Suns.

(11) Shemar Moore

Most noted for his early role starting in 1994 as Malcolm Winters in The Young and the Restless, as Derek Morgan in Criminal Minds, and recently as Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrison in the series S.W.A.T.

A college baseball player for Santa Clara University, he was on the field as a pitcher and outfielder and has made guest appearances throwing out the first pitch at Fenway Park.

Entering fatherhood for the first time at 52, welcoming his baby girl.

12) Denzel Washington

If you need inspiration, look no further. Aside from his good looks and distinctive voice, Denzel Washington is an actor, director, and motivational speaker extraordinaire.

With over four decades under his belt, Denzel has scored a Tony Award, two Silver Bear Awards, three Golden Globes, two Academy Awards, and The Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award. President Biden granted Washington the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and he was named the greatest actor of the 21st century by The New York Times.

His inspiring and often life-changing speeches give people hope and the strength to make changes for the better.

13) Michael B. Jordan

Voted as Time Magazine’s Sexiest Man of the Year in 2022, Michael B. Jordan (and yes, you say his entire name so there is no confusion with Michael Jordan) is an accomplished actor, producer, and director.

While he played Reggie Montgomery in the daytime drama All My Children,  Jordan is most known for his Creed movie roles. His directing debut started with Creed III, in which he also acted.

In addition to the Sexiest Man of the Year award, Jordan is also on Time Magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2020 and 2023, as well as being ranked by The New York Times as one of the 25 greatest actors of the 21st century.

14) Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman is timeless. He is enduring. He is one of the hottest black male celebrities spanning decades as an actor, narrator, director, and motivational speaker.

His whisky-over-velvet voice (even as Count Dracula on Sesame Street in the 1070s) and insanely excellent acting skills make him one of the most recognized actors in the world.

After serving four years in the Air Force, Freeman entered acting by way of stage productions before launching into television and, later, the big screen.

We would need pages to discuss his merits, his roles, and his influential path in society from the start to now. Founding the Grenada Relief Fund (now PLAN!T NOW) in 2004, he actively supports various humanitarian efforts.

15) Mos Def

Rapper, Songwriter, Singer, and actor, now known as Yasiin Bey, hit the music scene in 1994 in a group formed with his brother and a high school friend. Through the years, he has undergone changes in sound and stage, but his mission has been the same – his voice.

Awarded a spot as a Top 50 lyricist by About.com and Top 50 MCs of all time by The Source, Mos Def is an influential artist able to span genres and mediums for the enjoyment of audiences sound the world.

16) Drake

You might have seen several years ago on Degrassi: The Next Generation as a teenage basketball star. Perhaps you’ve heard him as you flip through radio stations, singing along to Nice For What or One Dance.

Canadian singer, songwriter, rapper, and sometimes actor, Drake is a name that elicits a smile and knowing nod from fans nationwide. His lyrics are emotional and compelling across different genres and to many audiences. 

A talented songwriter, his lyrics are sung by some of today’s top artists, such as Alicia Keys, Lil’ Wayne, and Kanye.

17) Lamar Jackson

Love or despise him, there is no denying the popularity of this much-talked-about Baltimore Ravens quarterback. Winner of the Heisman Trophy while playing college ball for Louisville, he was the last pick in the first round of the NFL draft in 2018.

In 2019, in week two against the Arizona Cardinals, he became the first player to pass for more than 250 yards and rush for 120 yards in one game. At the end of the 2019 season, he was named the MVP of the NFL.

After public forum tirades, Jackson and the Ravens came to a contract negotiation that rattled the NFL. Jackson is currently the highest-paid player in the NFL.

18) John Boyega

Boyega’s rise to fame resulted from a starring role in Detroit, Kathryn Bigelows’s film about the 1967 Detroit riots, where black residents and the Detroit police made headlines with some of the bloodiest clashes in US history.

Any Star Wars fan can tell you about John Boyega as Finn in the 2015 film Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the 2017 release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and in 2019, The Rise of Skywalker.

In addition to his acting, he formed his own production company and is actively involved in the advocacy of black rights. Powerlist named Boyega in 2020 and 2021 as one of the Top 1oo most influential people in the UK of African-Caribbean or African descent.

19) Boris Kodjoe

If we are going on stunning looks and accents alone, Boris Kudjoe is a shoo-in. However, Kodjoe has talent and intelligence to go along with his undeniably handsome face. Fluent in five languages, this Austrian-born actor has a long-standing career in film and on television.

Currently co-starring on BET’s Real Husbands of Hollywood and Station 19, he made his directing debut in 2022 with the movie Safe Room, with his wife as a main character.

After their daughter was born with Spina Bifida, Kodjoe and his wife founded the Kudjoe Foundation.  They strive to educate multicultural communities around the globe about building healthy family habits one day at a time.

20) Van Jones

News commentator, political strategist, lawyer, author, and co-founder of several non-profit organizations, Van Jones puts a different spin on being one of the hottest black male celebrities.

Jones is both driven and well-spoken in his activism. In staying true to his convictions, people either applaud or scorn his agenda.

Author of three books, all making the New York Times best-seller list, he is also the recipient of dozens of awards, including one for the 2009 Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People In the World and a 2013 Ebony Magazine award as one of the Power 100.

21) Dwayne Johnson

Dyane “The Rock” Johnson brings up the argument of being “black enough.” Or not. Johnson’s father, a black Nova Scotian, clearly provided the ethnic background. Regardless, there is no denying Johnson is one of the hottest black celebrities.

As a former pro-wrestler, he is a 10-time world champion and a two-time Intercontinental Champion with a ring presence mimicked by those young and old. Moving on to acting with his first role in 2001 in The Mummy Returns, Johnson never looked back with over 60 movie roles on his dossier.

As a philanthropist, he founded the Dwayne Johnson Rock Foundation. This charity works with terminally ill and at-risk children.

Hottest Black Male Celebrities, Final Thoughts

From incredible good looks to major contributors as activists, narrowing down the hottest black male celebrities was not an easy feat.

After countless lists, delving into the meaning of hottest, and pulling out a well-rounded representation of who we feel are the hottest black male celebrities, we hope you’ll agree with our selections and maybe learn something new about a few of your own faves.