Hollywood has introduced us to some of world’s most talented actors, and over the years, Nigerian performers have made their mark on the industry with unforgettable performances across film and TV. Whether they were born in Nigeria or are part of the global Nigerian diaspora, these actors have carried their heritage with pride while dominating the screen.
From award-winning powerhouses like Chiwetel Ejiofor and Uzo Aduba to rising stars like Ayo Edebiri and Damson Idris, these actors have showcased incredible range, emotional depth, and a magnetic presence that sets them apart.
Here’s our ranking of the 10 most talented Nigerian actors in Hollywood today (based on their performances, accolades, and cultural impact).
10. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje has built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s go-to actors for intense, commanding performances. Whether playing a killer mutant in Suicide Squad, a complex antihero in Lost, or a ruthless inmate in Oz, the British-Nigerian actor brings an unmatched presence to every role. In 2018, he expanded his talents to writing and directing with Farming, a drama based on his own childhood — starring him and another actor on this list.
- Best Performances: Simon Adebisi in Oz, Mr. Eko in Lost, and Femi in Farming
- Notable Awards: 2 SAG nominations (Lost, Trumbo)
9. Wunmi Mosaku
In a few years, Wunmi Mosaku is bound to climb higher on this list. Despite a relatively limited filmography, the British-Nigerian actress has already proven herself to be an immensely compelling presence on screen. No matter the genre — be it horror (Lovecraft Country), drama (Damilola, Our Loved Boy), sci-fi (Loki), or dark comedy (The End of the F***ing World) — Mosaku always finds a way to ground her characters, making them feel deeply human.
- Best Performances: Ruby Baptiste in Lovecraft Country, Gloria Taylor in Damilola, Our Loved Boy, and Rial in His House
- Notable Awards: 1 BAFTA win (Damilola, Our Loved Boy)
8. Damson Idris
Damson Idris made a major splash in Hollywood with his career-defining role as Franklin Saint in Snowfall, earning deserved praise for his chilling transformation into a cold-blooded crime boss. Since then, the British-Nigerian actor has brought that undeniable charisma to multiple projects, including Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s Farming, a thrilling Black Mirror episode, and a standout Twilight Zone episode.
- Best Performances: Franklin Saint in Snowfall, Enitan in Farming, and Dorian Harrison in Twilight Zone
- Notable Awards: 1 BET Award win (Snowfall)
7. Ayo Edebiri
Is there a harder-working newcomer in Hollywood than Ayo Edebiri? Doubt it. Since her Emmy-winning breakout role in The Bear three years ago, the Nigerian-American actress and writer has racked up an impressive resume, delivering standout comedic performances in acclaimed films (Bottoms, Theater Camp) and TV shows (Abbott Elementary, Saturday Night Live). She even stepped behind the camera to direct an episode of The Bear, proving she clearly doesn’t operate on the same 24-hour clock as the rest of us.
- Best Performances: Sydney Adamu in The Bear, Josie in Bottoms, and Paula in Omni Loop
- Notable Awards: 1 Emmy win, 1 Golden Globe win (both for The Bear)
- Notable Awards: 1 Emmy win, 1 Golden Globe win (both for The Bear)
6. Sophie Okonedo
Best known for her Oscar-nominated turn in the 2005 historical drama Hotel Rwanda, Sophie Okonedo is the definition of a powerhouse performer. With a career spanning decades, the British-Nigerian actress has showcased her considerable talents in everything from Shakespearean adaptations (The Hollow Crown) to intense psychological thrillers (Ratched).
- Best Performances: Tatiana in Hotel Rwanda, Winnie Mandela in Mrs Mandela, and Charlotte Wells in Ratched
- Notable Awards: 1 Oscar nomination (Hotel Rwanda), 1 Tony win (The Crucible), 1 Emmy nomination (Ratched)
5. John Boyega
Though widely recognised as the first Black stormtrooper in Star Wars, John Boyega is far more than his franchise debut. Since stepping away from the galaxy far, far away, the British-Nigerian actor has been quietly delivering exceptional performances in smaller, critically acclaimed projects like the Small Axe anthology, Breaking, and the underseen Netlfix gem They Cloned Tyrone.
- Best Performances: Moses in Attack the Block, Leroy Logan in Small Axe’s Red, White & Blue, and Fontaine in They Clone Tyrone.
- Notable Awards: 1 BAFTA win (the Rising Star award), 1 Golden Globe win (Small Axe)
4. David Oyelowo
David Oyelowo is a criminally underrated chameleon, effortlessly disappearing into characters across film and TV, no matter the genre. But the British-Nigerian actor shines brightest when playing historical figures, from his career-defining portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma (one of the biggest Oscar snubs in recent memory) to his more recent turn as Bass Reeves in Lawmen: Bass Reeves.
- Best Performances: Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Bass Reeves in Lawmen: Bass Reeves, and Peter Snowden in Nightingale
- Notable Awards: 2 Emmy nominations (Nightingale)
3. Uzo Aduba
It takes a special kind of talent to be the standout performer in a show overflowing with stellar performances, but that’s what Uzo Aduba did as Crazy Eyes in the Netflix dramedy Orange is the New Black. Since that breakout role, the Nigerian-American actress has shown herself to be one of Hollywood’s most reliable performers, stealing the spotlight in indie films (Beats), acclaimed TV shows (Mrs. America) and the Broadway stage (Clyde).
- Best Performances: Crazy Eyes in Orange is the New Black, Shirley Chisholm in Mrs. America, and Dr. Brooke Taylor in In Treatment
- Notable Awards: 3 Emmy wins (Orange is the New Black, Mrs. America), 1 Tony nomination (Clyde)
2. Chiwetel Ejiofor
Very few actors working today have the range and quiet intensity of Chiwetel Ejiofor. Whether in a period drama (12 Years a Slave), a feel-good comedy (Kinky Boots), an action blockbuster (Doctor Strange) or an animated film (The Lion King), the British-Nigerian actor commands the screen — both big and small — with emotional depth and a magnetic presence that is impossible to ignore.
- Best Performances: Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave, Okwe in Dirty Pretty Things, and Simon/Lola in Kinky Boots
- Notable Awards: 1 Oscar nomination (12 Years a Slave), 2 Emmy nominations (Dancing on the Edge, The Elephant Man) and 5 Golden Globe nominations.
1. Cynthia Erivo
If Cynthia Erivo only had her once-in-a-generation voice, she would still be one of the most talented humans on the planet. But as if that weren’t enough, the British-Nigerian star is also a gifted and versatile actor — her expressive eyes pulling audiences in with every performance. She has brought her massive gifts to the big screen (Wicked), the small screen (Genius: Aretha) and the Broadway stage (The Color Purple), with no signs of slowing down.
- Best Performances: Elphaba in Wicked, Harriet Tubman in Harriet, and Celie in The Color Purple
- Notable Awards: 3 Oscar nominations (Wicked, Harriet), 1 Emmy win, 1 Grammy win and 1 Tony win (all for The Color Purple). Erivo is an Oscar win away from achieving EGOT status.
