African-American Academy Award Winners

Question 1

Sidney Poitier was the first African-American to win Best Actor thanks to his performance as Homer in this movie.

Answer 1

Lilies of the Field

Question 2

(1) Who was the second African-American to win an Academy Award for Best Actor and (2) for what movie?

Answer 2

(1) Denzel Washington

(2) Training Day

Question 3

Not only was he the third African-American to win Best Actor, but he was also the first black person to receive two acting nominations in the same year.

Answer 3

Jamie Foxx (Ray)

Question 4

She is the first and only African-American to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Answer 4

Halle Berry (Monster’s Ball)

Question 5

(1) Who was the first African-American to win Best Supporting Actor and (2) for what movie?

Answer 5

(1) Louis Gossett Jr.

(2) An Officer And A Gentleman

Question 6

(1) Who was the second African-American to win Best Supporting Actor and (2) for what movie?

Answer 6

(1) Denzel Washington

(2) Glory

Question 7

He was the third African-American to win Best Supporting Actor and at the time was the oldest African-American to ever win an Academy Award.

Answer 7

Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby)

Question 8

In 2016, he won Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Juan in Moonlight.

Answer 8

Mahershala Ali

Question 9

She was both the first African-American to win and be nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

Answer 9

Hattie McDaniel (Gone With The Wind)

Question 10

(1) Who was the second African-American to win Best Supporting Actress and (2) for what movie?

Answer 10

(1) Whoopi Goldberg

(2) Ghost

Question 11

She was the third African-American woman to win Best Supporting Actress, and at the time was the youngest African-American ever to win an Academy Award.

Answer 11

Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls)

Question 12

She won Best Supporting Actress in 2009 for her role as Mary Lee Johnston in Precious.

Answer 12

Mo’nique

Question 13

In 2011 she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Minny Jackson in The Help.

Answer 13

Octavia Spencer

Question 14

She was the first black African to win in any Academy Award category.

Answer 14

Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years A Slave)

Question 15

She won Best Supporting Actress in 2016 for her role as Rose Maxson in Fences.

Answer 15

Viola Davis

Question 16

In 1984 he became the first African-American to win Best Original Song Score (not Best Original Score), a category which has since been retired.

Answer 16

Prince (Purple Rain)

Question 17

In 1986 he became the first African-American to win Best Original Score.

Answer 17

Herbie Hancock (Round Midnight)

Question 18

He was the first African-American to win Best Original Song.

Answer 18

Isaac Hayes (Shaft, “Theme From Shaft”)

Question 19

This African-American shared her Academy Award for Best Original Song with Giorgio Moroder and Keith Forsey.

Answer 19

Irene Cara (Flashdance, “Flashdance…What A Feeling”)

Question 20

In 1984 he became the third African-American to win Best Original Song for the song “I Just Called To Say I Love You.”

Answer 20

Stevie Wonder (The Woman In Red)

Question 21

In 1985 he became the fourth African-American to win Best Original Song for the song “Say You, Say Me.”

Answer 21

Lionel Richie (White Nights)

Question 22

These were the first African-American rappers to win Best Original Song.

Answer 22

Three 6 Mafia (Hustle & Flow, “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp”)

Question 23

These two African-Americans won Best Original Song for the song “Glory” in Selma.

Answer 23

Common, John Legend

Question 24

He was the first African-American to win Best Writing (Original Screenplay).

Answer 24

Jordan Peele (Get Out)