Who was the first African-American woman to win an Oscar for best actress in a leading role?
Halle Berry is the first African-American actress ever to receive an Oscar for best actress. She won a statuette in 2002 for her outstanding work in "Monster's Ball". Berry couldn't help crying during the ceremony! So shocked and emotional, she finally made her speech, enumerating the names of all the great African-American actresses. "This is 74 years here; I’ve got to take this time." Berry went on to say "This moment is for all the nameless, faceless women of color who now have a chance because this door tonight has been opened."
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96 Comments

gaylewatkins
Halle, knows her blackness even if she is bi-racial. I'm bi-racial and I know my blackness because that is how society sees us!
17
Apr 11, 2016 5:41PM
Gene Erkenbrack
Halle Berry is not African American, she is bi racial! She is also an American just like the rest of us born or naturalized here!
12
Apr 6, 2016 6:40PM

daphneelainebell
Halle Berry IS African American. Just like the rest of us light skinned mixed raced African Americans. None of the slaves that came here were light skinned. Where do you think we came from. We have been here for a mighty long time.
9
Apr 9, 2016 12:27AM

Janie Neugent
Hattie won for best supporting actress.
8
Apr 17, 2016 8:43AM
Jan Sydnam
Gayle Watkins isn't that sad! MLK tried constantly to tell people that people are more than skin color.
7
Apr 15, 2016 10:19PM
bsweet
Shoshina Jones You usually get a msg that says, "Oops! It looks like you've already answered this question." And, no, you don't get points. I've seen it while trying to get to comments to see what someone has replied to one of my posts.
6
Apr 21, 2016 2:59AM
LaTara 'Cookie' Nicole
Race is your skin.. ethnicity is heritage.
6
Apr 12, 2016 1:14AM

Harrison Linda
A very disturbing movie of abuse, Halle was very good in that film.
0
Jan 2, 2021 11:45AM
Richard D. Boyle
Come on folks. Try reading the question. An Oscar is NOT an Oscar. One is for a leading role; another is for a supporting role. They are not the same. Why do you think there was such a celebration over Halle Berry’s win for best actress in a lead role? It had never happened before and finally did.
1
Apr 6, 2020 2:10AM
Dave Anderson
Hattie McDaniel was the first Black woman to win a oscar NOT Hale Berry
1
Mar 5, 2017 2:08PM
Shirley Gainey
She's great
0
Mar 2, 2017 10:50PM

June Holley
I believe it was actually Hattie McDaniel for Gone With the Wind
1
Feb 8, 2017 5:56PM
Joni Miller
I was pretty sure that it was Hattie McDaniel, Mammy ,from Gone With the Wind,for best supporting actress
1
Jan 27, 2017 5:21AM

Sherry Wallis
I cannot seem to separate the actess from the real person. Her beauty is marred for me by the unfortunate incident where she committed a hit and run.
0
Dec 22, 2016 12:15AM
Marguerite Prince Acosta
Picture looked like Cicelly...got it wrong...
1
Dec 6, 2016 11:23PM
Gary Cobb
Has everyone forgotten about Hattie McDaniel. AN Oscar is an Oscar...
1
Nov 7, 2016 7:41PM
Gary Cobb
Gayle Watkins sadly, that's how you want society to see you, but the way you rid our society of this racial divide is to ignore the color of our/your skin and just see everyone for the "content of their character"! If that is too much to ask for, then it will never go away! We all, whites and blacks, need to become color blind.
0
Nov 7, 2016 7:28PM
Jan Samuel
Not strictly correct as her mother is English.
0
Oct 31, 2016 7:51AM
Bhabani Shanker Ganguli
Halle Berry may have been the first African-American actress to win the Best Actress award, but the woman who played the maid in "Gone with The Wind' won the best supporting actress award way back in the 50's!
0
Oct 26, 2016 7:11AM

Cheyenne Moore
Halle was lead actress. Hattie was supporting actress.
0
Oct 12, 2016 10:03PM

Cheyenne Moore
She won for best supporting actress.
0
Oct 12, 2016 10:02PM
Dianne Bergmann
What happen to Whoopie who one it in 1985 this is 17 yrs ahead of Ms. Beery
0
Oct 7, 2016 9:16PM
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