15 Celebs You Didnt Know Were Part Black
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It was not that long ago that mixed race couples weren’t seen as an OK thing by the status quo. However, despite this fact, there are tons of famous stars who are the product of mixed race relationships. The controversial nature of defining race has kept a lot of stars' ethnicities in the shadows but this list is out of respect more than curiosity.
Some celebrities come right out and claim their mixed race while others would if they actually knew what their ethnic background was. The United States is one of the most prominently mixed cultures in the world, featuring some the most mixed races that exist as of today. Latin America is also predominantly mixed with the large amounts of travelers throughout the continent. The most wonderful part of these part-black celebrities is that they give a visual identity to an entirely new ethnicity.
This allows them to represent society more wholly, since the whole world isn’t so black and white anymore. Representation is important to the young people that live in the world today as it opens up the societal norms to be inclusive rather than exclusive, and I think we all would agree that's a great thing.
15. Cash Warren
Most of Cash Warren’s fame comes from the fact that he’s the house husband of famous actress Jessica Alba. He is a Yale graduate who has worked as a producer on multiple major films, he actually met his wife Jessica Alba on the set of Fantastic Four. The couple have two daughters together named Honor and Haven, and love to attend Lakers games together while in Los Angeles. Warren is the child of an African-American father and white mother. Him and Alba recently celebrated their 8th wedding anniversary with a night on the town. Currently Warren works as an executive for an underwear and t-shirt company. Alba is more of an entrepreneur than an actress nowadays. One of her largest projects is as co-founder of The Honest Company. She currently owns around 15-20% of the company. Warren and Alba still have a loving relationship, definitely something for others in Hollywood to look up to.
14. Daniel Sunjata
This American actor performs in television, film, and theater; his most popular role was on popular FX show Rescue Me. Sunjata was the adopted son of a civil rights worker and a police dispatcher, he was told his biological mother was a runaway and his father was a black man. Growing up in Chicago Sunjata graduated from Mount Carmel High School before moving on to pursue acting. He is named in honor of African King Sundiata Keita, a sign of his heritage despite his parent’s German-Irish descent. His first very prominent role was as a sailor post 9/11 in exceptionally beloved television show Sex &The City. He also played James Holt in popular Meryl Streep film The Devil Wears Prada before landing a regular spot on Rescue Me opposite the talented Denis Leary. He has been known to be a 9/11 conspiracy theorist, appearing in a series of documentaries about how the government was actually behind 9/11.
13. Rosario Dawson
American actress Rosario Dawson is beloved by many for her roles in such popular films as Men in Black II and the Sin City series. The Puerto Rican, Cuban, and black actress was born in New York City. Her mother never married her biological father but instead married Greg Dawson, a construction worker, when Rosario was only one year old. The pair divorced in 2001 but Rosario Dawson will always see the man as her father, she also has a half-brother. For a few years Dawson dated model and actor Jason Lewis until 2006 when they split up. Aside from her work in many classic American films Dawson is also very politically motivated and has been arrested twice while protesting in Washington D.C., first while protesting against George W. Bush and during Democracy Spring in 2016. She is also a spokeswoman for multiple non-profits and charities including TripAdvisor.com’s philanthropy program.
12. Vin Diesel
Vin Diesel’s real name is Mark Sinclair and he is an action film star most well known for his work in the Fast and the Furious film series. He was born in Alameda County, California alongside his twin brother Paul. He has referred to his own ethnicity as “ambiguous” but his mother is a known astrologer named Delora Sherleen. His mother eventually settled in New York City with African American Irving H. Vincent, a theater manager and acting instructor. Diesel was only 7 years old when he first appeared on stage in Dinosaur Door, a play written by Barbara Garson. The way he got the role was more impressive, he broke into the theater with friends intending to vandalize the place. When Diesel and his buddies were caught by the theater manager they were given the opportunity to be in an upcoming play instead of the owner calling the police. The rest is history, Diesel is one of the most well known action stars of his generation.
11. Kris Humphries
As a professional basketball player Kris Humphries has bounced around quite a bit from team to team. He was born in Minnesota to his African-American father and white mother, his father was a football player at the University of Minnesota. Before Humphries was a basketball player he actually competed as a professional swimmer, actually beating a young Michael Phelps at one point. He gave up swimming at the age of 12 to pursue basketball. After leading his high school to record level basketball Kris Humphries he accepted a scholarship to Duke University until eventually deciding to attend the University of Minnesota. Most tweens and young women know the basketball player for his relationship with Kim Kardashian in 2010. The pair were engaged and actually married in 2011 in a two-part television series. Just 72 days after their marriage Kardashian filed for divorce but Humphries counter filed for an annulment on the grounds of fraud. After a lengthy battle the pair settled out of court.
10. Charli Baltimore
Born Tiffany Lane, Charli Baltimore is an American rapper- singer-songwriter. In the Summer of 1995 the rapper became involved with the Notorious B.I.G. after meeting him in New York. B.I.G. introduced her to Lance Rivera who signed both her and Cam’ron to his label. Her very first video was released as a part of the Woo soundtrack. After B.I.G. was shot to death Baltimore had less success in the industry. Her debut album Cold as Ice was delayed several times because of friction between Baltimore and her label but released finally in 1999. Unfortunately the album wasn’t released to the public until 2009, and then it was only available for digital download. After her failure in the ‘90s Baltimore signed with Murder Inc. Records by CEO Irv Gotti. More album delays caused her to leave this company as well to become affiliated with The Game and The Black Wall Street Records.
9. Jennifer Beals
Former teen model and current actress, Jennifer Beals danced into our hearts in class American film Flashdance. She has also starred as Bette Porter in sapphic Showtime series The L Word. She has earned an NAACP Image Award and a Golden Globe nomination and has appeared in more than 50 films. Born on the South Side of Chicago to an African American father and Irish mother Beals grew up with two brothers. Her father died when she was only ten-years-old and her mother remarried in 1981. At the age of 13 the actress used her height to convince the owner of an ice cream store that she was 16-years-old, she then got her first job. After acting in a couple of high school plays she was inspired to pursue acting full time. Before acting she actually attended Yale University, receiving a B.A. in American Literature 1987. She actually deferred a term at the prestigious college to act for her breakout role in Flashdance.
8. Pete Wentz
Mostly known for his role in pop punk band Fallout Boyas the vocalist, primary lyricist, and bassist. Wentz was formerly a part of the Chicago hardcore scene before forming Fallout Boy and since forming the popular band has started some lucrative side projects. He actually owns DCD2 records which famously signed Panic! At the Disco and Gym Class Heroes. Now Wentz hosts a television show Best Ink and also owns a clothing company called Clandestine Industries. Simultaneously the entrepreneur owns a bar called Angels & Kings while also owning a production company called Batskull Films. Wentz volunteers with philanthropic groups such as Invisible Children, Inc. and UNICEF’s Tap Project. On his mother’s side Wentz is Afro-Jamaican, he grew up with both a sister and brother. His parents met while they were both campaigning for Joe Biden in the ‘70s, Wentz remains family oriented and actually competed as an all-state soccer player before pursuing music full time.
7. Blake Griffin
In 2011 Blake Griffin was named one of the NBA’s 15 Greatest Rookies of All Time and he has even won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest and Rookies of the Year. Since being first drafted to the Clippers in the 2009 NBA Draft he has been a five-time NBA All-Star and four-time All-NBA selection. Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Griffin is Afro-Haitian and white. He followed in his father’s footsteps as the elder Griffin was a basketball center and standout track athlete at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Before settling on basketball Blake Griffin loved playing baseball and football but eventually decided to pursue basketball full time. Griffin was extremely successful in high school after being homeschooled until the 8th grade. He entered Oklahoma State as the most decorated recruit to ever join the university team. After equal success in college ball, Griffin was drafted to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2009 where he plays to this day.
6. Jessica Szohr
The first recognition for Jessica Szohr’s acting career was in 2007 with her appearance as Vanessa Abrams on The CW’s super hit teen drama series Gossip Girl. Born in Wisconsin Szohr was the oldest of five children in her family, she describes her hometown as wholesome and family-oriented. She began modeling at age 6 and landed a national oatmeal campaign when she was only ten years old. Szohr has been in print ads for Kohl’s, Crate & Barrel, Mountain Dew, Sears, Jockey, and JanSport. After graduating early from high school Szohr moved to Los Angeles with her mother to pursue her acting career. The actress almost quit and moved home around five times before her agent convinced her to try out for pilot season. The actresses biggest role still remains as Vanessa on Gossip Girl but she has had some small roles in a couple of movies and a Hallmark film.
5.Meghan Markle
As Rachel Zane on hit television drama Suits, Meghan Markle has won the hearts of the American audience. Aside from her acting roles, Meghan Markle is a United Nations Women’s advocate for political participation and leadership. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and her father was a director of photography for Married… With Children.This position caused Markle to be on set quite a bit and get a thirst for working in the industry. At age 11 Markle wrote a letter to Hillary Clinton and other politicians to complain that a soap ad implied women belonged in the kitchen. She caused such a stir that the national ad was pulled and replaced. To support herself between acting jobs Markle actually works as a freelance calligrapher. Aside from her prominent work on television Markle has landed some small roles in feature films. She is also the founder & editor-in-chief on the lifestyle site The Tig.
4. Dwayne Johnson
In the WWE ring, Dwayne Johnson earned the nickname The Rock which has translated into his prominent acting career. Dwayne Johnson was born in Hayward, California to another professional wrestler Rocky Johnson, his maternal grandfather was also a wrestler. His father is actually one of the members of the first black tag team to win the World Tag Team Championship. Throughout his many high schools ranging from New Zealand to Hawaii to Pennsylvania Johnson found stability on the football team, eventually playing defensive tackle at the University of Miami. Johnson married Dany Garcia in 1997, the pair has one daughter named Simone. He is now with Sib Hashian with whom he has one daughter. The actor and wrestler still will make appearances on behalf of WWE but never for wrestling, he has been retired from that aspect since 2013. ‘The Rock’ is a supporter of the Republican party and an ‘out’ Christian.
3. Wentworth Miller
This actor, model, and screenwriter rose to prominence after playing Michael Scofield in the popular Fox series Prison Break. He actually received a Golden Globe nomination for his role in the series. Wentworth Miller was born to two American parents in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. His parents come from many heritages but can mostly be considered African American and white. When he was only one-year-old Miller’s family moved to Park Slope, Brooklyn in New York. He later graduated from Princeton University with a bachelor’s degree in English literature in 1995 before becoming an actor full-time. After graduation he moved on to Los Angeles from the East Coast to pursue his acting career, he cites a lot of rocky roadblocks on his way to fame. Since becoming famous Miller has been a prominent figure because of his personal life. In a shocking letter to a Russian film festival, Wentworth Miller came out of the closet in an act that is admired by many people.
2. Derek Jeter
Beloved shortstop for the New York Yankees Derek Jeter was a prominent athlete and figure in celebrity media. Jeter was born in New Jersey to an Irish mother and African American father, he grew up in a baseball family and even his younger sister was a softball star. Every year Jeter’s parents had him sign a contract citing what he did and not consider ‘good’ behavior. When the athlete was only four years old his family moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan but Jeter and his sister still visited their grandmother in New Jersey each Summer. It was on these visits that Jeter fell in love with the New York Yankees. In high school, Jeter played basketball, ran track, and of course played baseball. His talent for baseball garnered attention from the University of Michigan where he was offered a scholarship to play baseball. Jeter was picked sixth in the 1992 draft instead of going to college and played his entire career on this team: The New York Yankees.
1. Rashida Jones
Her breakout role was in Parks & Recreation as Ann Perkins, best friend to the main character Leslie Knope. The comedy straight woman was born in Los Angeles, California to Peggy Lipton and famous music producer Quincy Jones. Jones grew up in a fancy Bel Air neighborhood reading books and classically training in piano and singing. When she was 14 years old her parents split up and she moved in with her mother in Brentwood, California. She became newsworthy when she wrote a scathing letter to Tupac Shakur for making harsh comments about her parent’s marriage. She left California in 1994 to attend Harvard University. She studied religion and philosophy along with working alongside multiple singing and theater groups. While performing in For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow is Enuf Jones says she was working through a lot of pain for not being considered “black enough” while growing up.
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