Models are often termed as creatures who increase the fashion quotient by striking effortless poses displaying their looks, composure, and confidence. Over the years, Models have developed from people who just pose in front of the audience to people who influence the world and leave their mark on the entertainment industry.
In general, when the word model is heard, there’s an instant thought of female models given the amount of money they generate and the obvious demand for them in the fashion world. On the other hand, Male Models have always stayed underrated and underappreciated.
It is a well-known fact that Male models are less admired and earn way lesser than their female counterparts. The modelling profession has always been Female dominated and why not? They surely do their own stage and grab all the attention with their strong sense of fashion and confidence. From the crop of models over the years, black models have always stayed on the top of the profession. Barring the women dominance, there have been some rock-solid male models who stood out and have made a name for themselves.
Today, we will try to bring justice to them with the much-needed appreciation by listing the top black male models of all time.
How did we decide?
Before we dive into the list, a question that you might me thinking of is how we decided this list. So, the answer is this list is purely based on their modelling achievements and the impact they have left on modelling and entertainment industry.
So, let’s get started!
1. Tyson Beckford
No surprises here, first up on the list is the supermodel himself – Tyson Beckford. Born on December 19, 1970 (Age 49), Tyson Beckford is an American model and actor with Jamaican, Chinese, African, and Panamanian roots.
Source: Tyson Beckford’s official Instagram page
Tyson Beckford has been a regular face on the magazines and has walked the ramp for some big giants of the fashion world. Tyson Beckford is famously known as the Ralph Lauren Polo model which gained him the initial success in the modelling world.
Tyson Beckford’s’ smouldering looks got him big contracts from other companies like Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Gucci over the years.
With an estimated net worth of $20 million, Tyson Beckford is known as one of the most successful male models of all time while giving competition to even the most successful female models over the years. Also, did you know he made a cameo in Britney Spears’s music video – Toxic.
2. Djimon Hounsou
Next up on our list is Djimon Hounsou. Born on 24 April 1964 (Age 56), Djimon Hounsou is a Beninese–American actor and model.
Source: Djimon Hounsou’s official Instagram page
Djimon Hounsou began his career by appearing in music videos and then later going on doing movies like Gladiator and Blood Diamond. Djimon received many awards over his career, one to mention would be the Academy award that he won for an immaculate role in Blood Diamond.
Djimon’s recent roles as King Ricou in Aquaman and as Korath in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Guardians of the Galaxy were received very well globally. Djimon’s famous scenes with Chris Pratt who played Starlord in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise are known to be one of the best comical scenes in the cinematic universe.
With a net worth estimate of $12 million, Djimon Hounsou still gives the young lads a run for their money.
3. Tyrese Gibson
Ranking third on the list is Tyrese Gibson. Born on December 30, 1978 (Age 41), Tyrese is a Grammy-nominated American singer, songwriter, author, rapper, actor, model, VJ and screenwriter. Tyrese’s debut music single, “Nobody else” hit #36 on the Hot 100 billboard.
Source: Tyrese Gibson’s official Instagram page
Tyrese is well known worldwide for his role as Roman Pearce in Fast & Furious films, a role that no movie fan would ever forget and a series that displayed not only his acting skills but also his charm that made everyone laugh and drool at the same time. Tyrese has also starred in the sci-fi franchise Transformers.
With an estimated net worth of $10 million, Tyrese Gibson is one of the hottest black stars out there when several musical hits and films on his CV. However, the rumour has it that he is in a significant debt but that doesn’t take away his ability to keep the audience in love with his art.
4. Kevin Hart
Next on our list is the admirable and comical stand-up comedian Kevin Hart. Born on July 6, 1979 (Age 40), Kevin is an American actor, comedian, producer and a model.
Source: Kevin Hart’s official Instagram page
Well known for his stand-up specials and his roles in Jumanji, Kevin is one of the most loved and appreciated black male models of all time. Not to mention his solid build and pairing with Dwyane Johnson in Jumanji that up-ed his admiration and fanbase globally.
Kevin started as a shoe salesman in his hometown – Philadelphia and has now achieved huge fame in a short period of time. Big fashion brands and movie houses face immense competition nowadays to get Kevin’s signature.
With an estimated Net worth of $62 million, Kevin Hart is one of the most renowned and hottest stars globally even going head to head with the big names of the industry.
5. Morgan Freeman
Fifth on our list is none other than the voice of God. They say, “Old is Gold”, and Morgan Freeman is the true example of that saying.
Born on June 1, 1937, Morgan is an American actor, narrator and a model in the old days.
Source: Morgan Freeman’s official Instagram page
He’s considered to be having a voice of God and has won multiple awards for his portrayal in several movies throughout his career.
His best performance came in the movies The Shawshank Redemption and Driving Miss Daisy which gained him a Golden Globe award and a well-deserved Oscar nomination. He even helped Batman with the suit and all the gadgets in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy.
Morgan’s modelling career has stayed less appreciated, but he surely goes in our top 10 list.
Morgan may be the oldest amongst the other stars on this list, but he surely is worth every penny. With an estimated net worth of $250 million, Morgan Freeman is one of the most successful stars out there.
6. Lance Gross
Next up is one of the most underrated models of recent times, Lance Gross. Born on July 8, 1981, Lance is an actor, model and photographer of Ghanaian descent.
Source: Lance Gross’s official Instagram page
Apart from his modelling career, he has made a name for himself in the TV world. He’s best known for his role in the TBS Sitcom Tyler Perry’s House of Payne as Calvin Payne. He even starred in the Sitcom Tyler Perry’s The Paynes which received appreciation worldwide.
TV buffs may also remember for his supporting role in the famous series Grey’s Anatomy which still ranks as one of the most loved series on Television.
Lance is a naturally gifted athlete but his love for the camera made him chose acting as his career. With an estimated net worth of $1.5 million, the California based star is a rising gem in the field of acting and modelling.
7. Chadwick Boseman
Next on our list is the King of Wakanda himself. There was no way this list was going to be fulfilling without the mention of Chadwick Boseman.
Source: Chadwick Boseman’s official Instagram page
Born on November 29, 1976 (Age 43), well known as the Black Panther, Chadwick is an American actor and model who’s globally loved and admired. The king may have died in the Avengers Infinity War, but he surely made a remarkable return in the Avengers – Endgame, a movie which literally shook the global Box Office to its core.
The South Carolina born star made his way into acting with roles in movies like Zooman, Romeo and Juliet and a short film Blood Over a Broken Pawn.
However, Chadwick’s first break came in crime dramas like Third Watch and CSI: NY and since then there’s no stopping him. With an estimated net worth of $15 million and his charm he gets a worthy place in this list and yes, Wakanda Forever!
8. Don Cheadle
Boom, you looking for him!? Next on our list is the War Machine himself.
Source: Don Cheadle’s official Instagram page
Born on November 29, 1964 (Age 55), Don is best known for his role as War machine in the globally loved Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Don is an actor, producer, writer, model, producer, and author winning many awards and hearts over the years has made him worthy of going into this list.
It is rare to notice someone when he shares the screen with the Ironman himself – Robert Downey Jr. But, Don Cheadle’s charm and composed portrayal of the Military general turned Superhero made the audience fall in love with him.
The world was surely shaking by the death for his character in Avengers Infinity War, but his comeback in Avengers -Endgame was equally celebrated given that he will be a major part of the Avengers next generation.
With a net worth of $35 million, two Golden Globe Awards, one Academy Award nomination and 32 other accolades to his name, the Kansas City, Missouri born Don Cheadle is one of the most successful black male stars in the world.
9. Michael B. Jordan
We mentioned Black Panther before, and we surely aren’t going to end without mentioning Killmonger. Next up on our list is the Charming biological brother of King of Wakanda, Michael B. Jordan where B stands for Bakari.
Source: Michael B Jordan’s official Instagram page
Born on February 9, 1987, (Age 33), Jordan is one of the most loved and renowned young actors/models around today. Jordan was born in Santa Ana, California and grew up in Newark, New Jersey.
With a name like a Basketball legend, Jordan was bound to succeed in life. Jordan is best known for his roles in Creed, Fantastic Four (The Human Torch), and Black Panther (Erik Killmonger) franchises.
With no intention of becoming an actor initially, Michael B. Jordan has really achieved a lot at a young age. With an estimated net worth of $12 million, Michael is surely making huge strides in the entertainment world.
10. Will Smith
Tenth on our list is The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air himself. Born on September 25, 1968 (Age 51), Will is an actor, songwriter rapper and model.
Source: Will Smith’s official Instagram page
Will is best known for his role in Men in Black series. He first earned fame as a rapper in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Will has mesmerized the world with his acting over the years and is continuing to do so, but he has also given the world another phenomenal actor in the form of his son Jaden Smith who is surely going to live up to his dad’s legacy which is evident from the work he has done in his short career so far.
With an estimated net worth of $350 million, Will is considered as one of the richest and best actors in Hollywood and a true Fresh Prince of the entertainment world.
11. Jesse Williams
Next on our list is Jesse Williams. Born on August 5, 1981 (Age 38), Jesse Wesley Williams is an American actor, model, director, producer and activist.
Source: Jesse Williams’s official Instagram page
Jesse’s best known for his role as Dr Jackson Avery on the ABC series Grey’s Anatomy which is still running. He has also portrayed brilliant roles in The Cabin and in The Woods and The Butler.
Jesse has also been an active performer in many theatre dramas like The American Dream and The Sandbox. Williams debuted as Elo in a supporting role in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
Coming to his modelling career, he started out as a model back during his college days, but never actually considered as a career option. We are happy that he reconsidered though.
Another cool thing about Jesse Williams is that also did voice acting in the video game Detroit: Become Human which released on May 25, 2018, for PlayStation 4. With an estimated net worth of $12 million, Jesse Williams has surely made a mark on the modelling world.
12. Boris Kodjoe
Next on the list is German and Ghanaian descent model Boris Frederic Cecil Tay-Natey Ofuatey-Kodjoe also known as Boris Kodjoe.
Source: Boris Kodjoe’s official Instagram page
Born on March 3, 1973 (Age 47), Boris is an Austrian born actor. Boris is best known for his portrayal of Kelby in Brown Sugar. He is currently starring in Station 19 and Real Husbands of Hollywood.
A little-known fact about Boris is that he is excellent at Tennis which even got him into the Virginia Commonwealth University on a tennis scholarship and earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing.
He also featured in The Lip sync battle versus his wife and Soul Food co-star Nicole Ari Parker. With an estimated net worth of $8 million, the German actor and model is surely worth a place in this list.
13. Marlon Wayans
Next on our list is Marlon Wayans. Born on July 23, 1972 (Age 47), Marlon Wayans is an American actor, model, screenwriter, comedian, and producer.
Source: Marlon Wayans’s official Instagram page
Marlon is best known for his collaborations with his brother Shawn Wayans on The WB sitcom The Wayans Bros. ironically similar to the studio’s name Warner Bros. Marlon has also appeared in several movies like Scary Movie, Scary Movie 2, Danne Flick, White Chicks, and Little Man.
Marlon also appeared in the famous Sci-Fi movie, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. Recently, he starred and produced the renowned series Fifty Shades of Black, a parody of Fifty Shades of Grey.
The New York-born actor has surely done some excellent work in the film and modelling industry. His estimated net worth is $40 million.
14. ASAP Rocky
Last but not the least, is ASAP Rocky. Born on October 3, 1988 (Age 31), Rocky is an American rapper, songwriter, model, actor, singer and has really achieved great success even when he is the youngest amongst everybody on the list.
Source: ASAP Rocky’s official Instagram page
A member of the ASAP mob, Rocky released his debut mixtape in 2011 which got a lot of critical acclaim. Born in New York, he moved to Philadelphia where his music career took off.
Rocky has not always been on the good side of the media and audience, but he has surely made a name for himself. With his several hits and an estimated net worth of $6 million, Rocky is one of the richest and growing rappers.
Summary
This list of TOP BLACK MODELS OF ALL TIME is strictly based on the personal opinions of the author, stats and information online. What do you think of this list? Does anybody else deserve a mention?
These were some of the best black male stars that are appreciated in the modelling and acting worlds. These people have worked hard for reaching where they are right now. Let”s take a moment to praise them. You can find many other blogs related to fashion, beauty and lifestyle on our website, stylishie.com.