Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Martin Luther King Jr. in ‘Genius’; David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King, Jr. in ‘Selma’.Photo:Richard DuCree/National Geographic; Atsushi Nishijima/Paramount
Richard DuCree/National Geographic; Atsushi Nishijima/Paramount
SinceMartin Luther King Jr.’s assassination on April 4, 1968, the entertainment industry has aimed to commemorate MLK’s legacy on stage and screen, entrusting actors to step into his monumental shoes.While many know his epochal"I Have a Dream" speech— hailed as one of the greatest speeches of all time — and honor the holiday in his name in January, the depth of MLK’s myriad contributions to the civil rights movement is sometimes overlooked.“Today, a lot of people have forgotten what those days were like. They may celebrate the national holiday, but they have forgotten Martin Luther King Jr. Those of us who were there will always remember,” wrote Florence Cunningham, who marched alongside the political leader in Alabama in 1965,in an essay for PEOPLEin January 2024. “Those of us who were there will always remember. But for others, they might not know how to truly honor him.”This is where Hollywood and Broadway come in — to help remind people of King’s life’s work and showcase that his fight is still very much being fought.To do so, generations of talented actors in King’s name have spokenhis powerful wordsand told his story. FromJeffrey Wright’s powerful portrayal inBoycotttoKelvin Harrison Jr.’s performance inGenius: MLK/X, these actors have all taken part in keeping Martin Luther King Jr.’s memory and message alive.
SinceMartin Luther King Jr.’s assassination on April 4, 1968, the entertainment industry has aimed to commemorate MLK’s legacy on stage and screen, entrusting actors to step into his monumental shoes.
While many know his epochal"I Have a Dream” speech— hailed as one of the greatest speeches of all time — and honor the holiday in his name in January, the depth of MLK’s myriad contributions to the civil rights movement is sometimes overlooked.
“Today, a lot of people have forgotten what those days were like. They may celebrate the national holiday, but they have forgotten Martin Luther King Jr. Those of us who were there will always remember,” wrote Florence Cunningham, who marched alongside the political leader in Alabama in 1965,in an essay for PEOPLEin January 2024. “Those of us who were there will always remember. But for others, they might not know how to truly honor him.”
This is where Hollywood and Broadway come in — to help remind people of King’s life’s work and showcase that his fight is still very much being fought.
To do so, generations of talented actors in King’s name have spokenhis powerful wordsand told his story. FromJeffrey Wright’s powerful portrayal inBoycotttoKelvin Harrison Jr.’s performance inGenius: MLK/X, these actors have all taken part in keeping Martin Luther King Jr.’s memory and message alive.
01of 17Kelvin Harrison Jr.Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Martin Luther King Jr. in ‘Genius: MLK/X’.Richard DuCree/National GeographicIn the fourth season of National Geographic’s anthology drama seriesGenius,Kelvin Harrison Jr.portrayed Dr. King, withAaron PierreembodyingMalcolm X. Across eight episodes,Genius: MLK/Xfollows the achievements and relationship between these two civil rights leaders, each representing “dueling philosophies” for progress.“I had to put on a little bit more of my investigative hat and start to just look for more of the nuances and try to start to figure out who the man is,” told PEOPLE In February 2024 of his approach in portraying MLK. “I’m not going tobeDr. Martin Luther King. That’s not happening. But what I can do is honor the things that he loved, honor the things that inspired him and that he was passionate about, find the connection between me and let that drive the story.”
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Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Martin Luther King Jr. in ‘Genius: MLK/X’.Richard DuCree/National Geographic
Richard DuCree/National Geographic
In the fourth season of National Geographic’s anthology drama seriesGenius,Kelvin Harrison Jr.portrayed Dr. King, withAaron PierreembodyingMalcolm X. Across eight episodes,Genius: MLK/Xfollows the achievements and relationship between these two civil rights leaders, each representing “dueling philosophies” for progress.
“I had to put on a little bit more of my investigative hat and start to just look for more of the nuances and try to start to figure out who the man is," told PEOPLE In February 2024 of his approach in portraying MLK. “I’m not going tobeDr. Martin Luther King. That’s not happening. But what I can do is honor the things that he loved, honor the things that inspired him and that he was passionate about, find the connection between me and let that drive the story.”
02of 17Aml AmeenAml Ameen as Martin Luther King Jr. in ‘Rustin’.David Lee/NETFLIXAml Ameen stepped into the shoes of Dr. King inNetflix’s 2023 biopicRustin, highlighting the lesser-known narrative of his close advisor,Bayard Rustin.Colman Domingostars as the titular character, an out gay activist instrumental in orchestrating the historic March on Washington, where MLK delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in August 1963.
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Aml Ameen
Aml Ameen as Martin Luther King Jr. in ‘Rustin’.David Lee/NETFLIX
David Lee/NETFLIX
Aml Ameen stepped into the shoes of Dr. King inNetflix’s 2023 biopicRustin, highlighting the lesser-known narrative of his close advisor,Bayard Rustin.
Colman Domingostars as the titular character, an out gay activist instrumental in orchestrating the historic March on Washington, where MLK delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in August 1963.
03of 17David OyelowoDavid Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr. in ‘Selma,’ 2014.Paramount Pictures/Courtesy Everett CollectionIn 2014,David Oyelowowon the NAACP Image Award for outstanding actor in a motion picture (and earned a Golden Globe nomination) for portraying King inAva DuVernay’sSelma, which was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars.“Six years ago,Selmacoincided withEric Garner being murdered. That was the last time we were in a place of ‘I Can’t Breathe.’ I rememberat the premiere ofSelmaus wearing ‘I Can’t Breathe’ T-shirtsin protest,” Oyelowotold Screen Dailyin June 2020. “Members of the Academy called into the studio and [said to] our producers saying, ‘How dare they do that? Why are they stirring s—?’ and ‘We are not going to vote for that film because we do not think it is their place to be doing that.’ ”He continued, “It’s part of why that film didn’t get everything that people think it should’ve got and itbirthed #OscarsSoWhite. They used their privilege to deny a film on the basis of what they valued in the world.”
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David Oyelowo
David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr. in ‘Selma,’ 2014.Paramount Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
In 2014,David Oyelowowon the NAACP Image Award for outstanding actor in a motion picture (and earned a Golden Globe nomination) for portraying King inAva DuVernay’sSelma, which was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars.
“Six years ago,Selmacoincided withEric Garner being murdered. That was the last time we were in a place of ‘I Can’t Breathe.’ I rememberat the premiere ofSelmaus wearing ‘I Can’t Breathe’ T-shirtsin protest,” Oyelowotold Screen Dailyin June 2020. “Members of the Academy called into the studio and [said to] our producers saying, ‘How dare they do that? Why are they stirring s—?’ and ‘We are not going to vote for that film because we do not think it is their place to be doing that.’ ”
He continued, “It’s part of why that film didn’t get everything that people think it should’ve got and itbirthed #OscarsSoWhite. They used their privilege to deny a film on the basis of what they valued in the world.”
04of 17Anthony MackieAnthony Mackie as Martin Luther King Jr., Ray Wise as Everett Dirksen and Bryan Cranston as Lyndon B. Johnson in ‘All the Way,’ 2016.HBO/courtesy Everett CollectionIn an adaptation of the stage play of the same name,Anthony Mackieportrayed Dr. King in the 2016 HBO dramaAll the Way,which followed Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency as he worked to pass the Civil Rights Act in 1964.“I grew up in a house where my dad made sure that Dr. King was a part of our daily existence. And he always described him as a leader of men,” Mackietold NPRin May 2016. “And that’s the Dr. King I wanted to portray. And he was a great and shrewd politician. And I don’t think we’ve ever seen that aspect of him on film.”
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Anthony Mackie
Anthony Mackie as Martin Luther King Jr., Ray Wise as Everett Dirksen and Bryan Cranston as Lyndon B. Johnson in ‘All the Way,’ 2016.HBO/courtesy Everett Collection
In an adaptation of the stage play of the same name,Anthony Mackieportrayed Dr. King in the 2016 HBO dramaAll the Way,which followed Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency as he worked to pass the Civil Rights Act in 1964.
“I grew up in a house where my dad made sure that Dr. King was a part of our daily existence. And he always described him as a leader of men,” Mackietold NPRin May 2016. “And that’s the Dr. King I wanted to portray. And he was a great and shrewd politician. And I don’t think we’ve ever seen that aspect of him on film.”
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James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones at the American Theatre honors in New York City on Sept. 28, 2015.Walter McBride/WireImage
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Courtney B. Vance
Courtney B. Vance attends SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s 4th annual Patron of the Artists Awards at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on Nov. 7, 2019, in Beverly Hills, Calif.Gregg DeGuire/Getty
07of 17Malik YobaMalik Yoba as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Angela Bassett as Coretta Scott King in ‘Betty & Coretta,’ 2013.Lifetime Television/courtesy Everett CollectionMalik Yobaappeared as King in Lifetime’s 2013 filmBetty & Coretta. The movie follows the friendship developed betweenCoretta Scott King(Angela Bassett), and Dr. Betty Shabazz (Mary J. Blige) after the assassinations of their husbands, Martin Luther King and Malcolm X.
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Malik Yoba
Malik Yoba as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Angela Bassett as Coretta Scott King in ‘Betty & Coretta,’ 2013.Lifetime Television/courtesy Everett Collection
Malik Yobaappeared as King in Lifetime’s 2013 filmBetty & Coretta. The movie follows the friendship developed betweenCoretta Scott King(Angela Bassett), and Dr. Betty Shabazz (Mary J. Blige) after the assassinations of their husbands, Martin Luther King and Malcolm X.
08of 17Samuel L. JacksonSamuel L. Jackson in Broadway’s ‘The Mountaintop’ at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on Jan. 22, 2012 in New York City.Cindy Ord/GettySamuel L. Jacksonmade his Broadway debut in the 2011 production ofThe Mountaintop, starring alongside Angela Bassett. In the play, he portrayedKing at the Lorraine Motel on the eve of his assassination in 1968.Decades prior, Jackson served as an usher at King’s funeral in Atlanta. “I rememberMahalia Jacksonsinging,” hedescribed toThe Hollywood Reporterin April 2018. “I remember seeing people likeHarry BelafonteandSidney Poitier. People that I thought I’d never see, let alone have a relationship with later on in life. The funeral was pretty much a blur.”
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Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson in Broadway’s ‘The Mountaintop’ at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on Jan. 22, 2012 in New York City.Cindy Ord/Getty
Samuel L. Jacksonmade his Broadway debut in the 2011 production ofThe Mountaintop, starring alongside Angela Bassett. In the play, he portrayedKing at the Lorraine Motel on the eve of his assassination in 1968.
Decades prior, Jackson served as an usher at King’s funeral in Atlanta. “I rememberMahalia Jacksonsinging,” hedescribed toThe Hollywood Reporterin April 2018. “I remember seeing people likeHarry BelafonteandSidney Poitier. People that I thought I’d never see, let alone have a relationship with later on in life. The funeral was pretty much a blur.”
09of 17LeVar BurtonLeVar Burton attends the 70th National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner at Cipriani Wall Street on Nov. 20, 2019 in New York City.Dimitrios Kambouris/GettyThree years after narrating the audiobook of Clayborne Carson’sThe Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr.,LeVar Burtonstepped into the shoes of the political activist in 2001’sAli.TheformerReading Rainbowhostacted alongsideWill Smith, who played the titular character, professional boxerMuhammad Ali.
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LeVar Burton
LeVar Burton attends the 70th National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner at Cipriani Wall Street on Nov. 20, 2019 in New York City.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
Three years after narrating the audiobook of Clayborne Carson’sThe Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr.,LeVar Burtonstepped into the shoes of the political activist in 2001’sAli.
TheformerReading Rainbowhostacted alongsideWill Smith, who played the titular character, professional boxerMuhammad Ali.
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Nelsan Ellis
In 2013,Nelsan Ellistook on the role of King inLee Daniels' The Butler, which centered on White House butler Cecil Gaines (Forest Whitaker) in the 20th century.
Ellis acted alongside David Oyelowo, who would portray King the following year inSelma.
11of 17Paul WinfieldCicely Tyson as Coretta Scott King and Paul Winfield as Martin Luther King Jr. in King, 1978.Filmways Television/Courtesy EverettIn NBC’s three-part miniseriesKingin 1978, Paul Winfield depicted the civil rights activist. The production also involved several members of King’s family, including his sister Christine King Farris, his niece andhis four children.Winfield’s performance led to anEmmynomination for outstanding lead actor in a limited series. He acted alongsideCecily Tyson, who played Coretta Scott King.
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Paul Winfield
Cicely Tyson as Coretta Scott King and Paul Winfield as Martin Luther King Jr. in King, 1978.Filmways Television/Courtesy Everett
Filmways Television/Courtesy Everett
In NBC’s three-part miniseriesKingin 1978, Paul Winfield depicted the civil rights activist. The production also involved several members of King’s family, including his sister Christine King Farris, his niece andhis four children.
Winfield’s performance led to anEmmynomination for outstanding lead actor in a limited series. He acted alongsideCecily Tyson, who played Coretta Scott King.
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Raymond St. Jacques
Raymond St. Jacques attends the 10th Annual NAACP Image Awards on April 24, 1977, at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, Calif.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Raymond St. Jacques portrayed MLK in Larry Cohen’sThe Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover(1977).
13of 17Robert GuillaumeRobert Guillaume attends the ‘Red Tails’ VIP opening night screening at Rave Baldwin Hills 15 Theatres on Jan. 20, 2012, in Los Angeles, Calif.Amanda Edwards/FilmMagicIn the 1985 dramedyPrince Jack, the actor took on the role of Dr. King. The film delves into the Kennedy administration, using dark humor to explore aspects ofJohn F. Kennedy’s presidency and his family’s actions in response to the civil rights movement.
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Robert Guillaume
Robert Guillaume attends the ‘Red Tails’ VIP opening night screening at Rave Baldwin Hills 15 Theatres on Jan. 20, 2012, in Los Angeles, Calif.Amanda Edwards/FilmMagic
In the 1985 dramedyPrince Jack, the actor took on the role of Dr. King. The film delves into the Kennedy administration, using dark humor to explore aspects ofJohn F. Kennedy’s presidency and his family’s actions in response to the civil rights movement.
14of 17Jason BernardJason Bernard attends the L.A. Library Foundation Fundraiser on Sept. 26, 1992.jason bernardJason Bernard played King in Jeff Stetson’s 1987 playThe Meeting, which illustrated an imaginary exchange between King and Malcolm X at a hotel in Harlem, New York.After winning a Louis B. Mayer Award and eight NAACP Theatre Awards, the play was televised on PBS’American Playhousein 1989.
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Jason Bernard
Jason Bernard attends the L.A. Library Foundation Fundraiser on Sept. 26, 1992.jason bernard
Jason Bernard played King in Jeff Stetson’s 1987 playThe Meeting, which illustrated an imaginary exchange between King and Malcolm X at a hotel in Harlem, New York.
After winning a Louis B. Mayer Award and eight NAACP Theatre Awards, the play was televised on PBS’American Playhousein 1989.
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Clifton Powell
Told through the perspective of a 9-year-old Black girl (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), the historical drama retells the events of the 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery, famously remembered as Bloody Sunday.
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Jeffrey Wright
Jeffrey Wright as Martin Luther King Jr. and Terrence Howard as Ralph Abernathy in ‘Boycott,’ 2001.Everett
Winning a Peabody Award, the biographical drama told the story of the 1955–56 Montgomery bus boycotts, a pivotal protest against racial segregation on public transit systems.
17of 17Dexter Scott KingDexter Scott King speaks at an Atlanta press conference on Dec. 9, 1999.Erik S. Lesser/Liaison Agency/Getty ImagesIn 2002, King’s own son,Dexter Scott King, stepped into his dad’s shoes forThe Rosa Parks Story.He portrayed his father again in the 1999 educational filmOur Friend, Martin,voicing him at 34 years old. The film was nominated for an Emmy award for outstanding animated program (for programming more than one hour).
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Dexter Scott King
Dexter Scott King speaks at an Atlanta press conference on Dec. 9, 1999.Erik S. Lesser/Liaison Agency/Getty Images
Erik S. Lesser/Liaison Agency/Getty Images
In 2002, King’s own son,Dexter Scott King, stepped into his dad’s shoes forThe Rosa Parks Story.
He portrayed his father again in the 1999 educational filmOur Friend, Martin,voicing him at 34 years old. The film was nominated for an Emmy award for outstanding animated program (for programming more than one hour).
source: people.com
