List of former African-American child actors

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This is a list of former African-American child actors . These actors were aged 17 or less at the time they started acting but are currently 18 or over. The list also includes deceased child actors.

Movies and/or TV series they appeared in are mentioned only if they were still a child at the time of filming.

NameBorn [Died]Years active (as child actors) & selected filmography
Adams, Brandon 19791986–2001 -- The Sandlot (1993) -- Moonwalker (1988)
Bagley, Ross 19881994–2004 -- The Little Rascals (1994)
Beard, Matthew "Stymie" 1925 [1981]1929–1940 -- Our Gang (1930–35)
Berry, Ananias 1913 [1951]1924–1927 -- The McDougall Kids
Berry, James 1915 [1969]1924–1926 -- The McDougall Kids
Berry, Warren 1922 [1996]1927 -- The McDougall Kids
Bledsoe, Tempestt 19731984–1988 -- The Cosby Show (1984–92)
Blunt, Erin19631973–1979 -- The Bad News Bears (1976)
Boyce, Cameron 1999 [2019]2008–2019 -- Jessie (2011–2015) -- Descendants series (2015–19)
Bridges, Todd 19651975–1980 -- Fish (1977–78) - Diff'rent Strokes (1978)
Brown, Orlando 19871995–2003 -- Family Matters (1996–98)
Cameron, Trent19791989-1991 -- Homeroom (1989) -- The Kid Who Loved Christmas (1990) -- You Take the Kids (1990–91)
Carter, Ralph 19611971-1976 -- Raisin (1973) -- Good Times (1974–79)
Coleman, Gary 1968 [2010]1974–1983 -- Diff'rent Strokes (1978–86)
Davis Jr., Sammy 1925 [1990]1933 -- Rufus Jones for President (1933)
Edwards, Ed 1925 ca.1931–1932 -- Penrod (1931–32)
Fields, Kim 19691977-1984 -- Baby, I'm Back (1978) -- Diff'rent Strokes (1979–81) -- The Facts of Life (1979–88)
Fishburne, Laurence 19611972–1976 -- One Life to Live (1973–76)
Foxworth, Jaimee 19791986–1993 -- Family Matters (1989–93)
Golden II, Norman D. 19841992–1998 -- Cop and a Half (1993) -- Moby Dick (1998)
Holmes, Tony 1967 ca.1977–78 -- Baby, I'm Back (1978)
Hooks, Kevin 19581969–1972 -- J.T. (1969) -- Sounder (1972)
Hoskins, Allen "Farina" 1920 [1980]1922–1936 -- Our Gang (1922–31)
Hurlic, Philip 1927 [2014]1932–1942 -- Penrod and Sam (1937) -- Zenobia (1939)
Jackson, Eugene 1916 [2001]1923–1931 -- Penrod and Sam (1923) -- Our Gang (1924–25) -- Little Annie Rooney (1925) -- Hearts in Dixie (1929)
Jackson, Janet 19661977–81 -- Good Times (1977–79) -- Diff'rent Strokes (1980–84)
Jackson, Michael 1958 [2009]1972
Jackson, Skai 20022007–2017 -- Jessie (2011–15)
Jeffries, Adam 19761988–1991 -- True Colors (1990–92)
Jordan, Michael B. 19871999–2002 - The Wire (2002)
Knight Pulliam, Keshia 19791984–1992 -- The Cosby Show (1984–92)
Leedy, Glenn 1935 [2004]1942–1947 -- Jasper (1942-45) -- Song of the South (1946) -- The Burning Cross (1947)
Lewis, Emmanuel 19711982–1989 -- Webster (1983–89)
McClure, Bryton 19861990–2001 -- Family Matters (1990–97)
Morrison, Dorothy 19191923–29
Morrison, Ernest "Sunshine Sammy" 1912 [1989]1917–1926 -- Our Gang (1922–24)
Paulk, Marcus T. 19861993–2001 -- Moesha (1996–2001)
Perry, Steven 19521958–1969 -- A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
Pratt, Kyla 19861993–2001 -- Dr. Dolittle (1998)
Preston, Billy 1946 [2006]1958 -- St. Louis Blues (1958)
Raven-Symoné 19851989–2000 -- The Cosby Show (1989–92) - Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (1992–97)
Raycole, Jazz 19881995–2003 -- My Wife and Kids (2001–02)
Richmond, Deon 19781987–1993 -- The Cosby Show (1986–92)
Richmond, Tequan 19922003–2006 -- Everybody Hates Chris (2005–2009)
Rivera, Naya 1987 [2020]1991–2002 - The Royal Family (1991–92)
Robinson, Bumper 19741983–1992 -- Enemy Mine (1985) -- The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992)
Robinson, Jimmy 1918 [1967]1927–1934 -- Mickey McGuire (1927–34) -- Penrod and Sam (1931)
Ross, Shavar 19711980–1986 -- Booker (1984)
Smith, Jaden 19982006–2013 -- The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) -- The Karate Kid (2010)
Smollett-Bell, Jurnee 19861991–2001 -- Full House (1992–94) -- Eve's Bayou (1997)
St. John, Kristoff 1966 [2019]1975–1982 -- Roots: The Next Generations (1979)
Thomas, Billie "Buckwheat" 1931 [1980]1934–1944 -- Our Gang (1934-44)
Thompson, Donald19381948 -- The Quiet One (1948)
Van Peebles, Mario 19571968–1971 -- Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971)
Warner, Malcolm-Jamal 19701982–85 -- The Cosby Show (1984–92)
Weaver, Jason 19791990–1994 -- The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992) -- Thea (1993–94) -- Summertime Switch (1994)
White, Jaleel 19761984–1991 -- Family Matters (1989–98)
Williams, Tyler James 19922000–2007 -- Everybody Hates Chris (2005–2009)

See also

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