Updated Jan 15, 2024
Happy Martin Luther King Weekend!
His legacy has been remembered through the decades since his work for civil rights and well after his passing. It has been remembered through his actual speeches, stories told, music, TV shows, and movies. As we celebrate his memory on his birthday weekend check out the 19 actors who played Martin Luther King, Jr. and comment which you thought was the best.
Kelvin Harrison Jr.
The young actor would portray MLK for the Genius: MLK/X mini series starring opposite Aaron Pierre as Malcolm X.
Aml Ameen
The British actor portrayed King Jr. for the 2023 biopic, Rustin. In the film he would portray the late leader and his friendship with Bayard Rustin.
Courtney B. Vance
In 2000, Vance played King in the TV miniseries Parting the Water.
James Earl Jones
Jones played Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1982 TV miniseries “Freedom to Speak.”
Robert Guillaume
Guillaume starred as Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1984 independent film “Prince Jack.”
Jason Bernard
Bernard played Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1987 televised play “The Meeting.”
Jaleel White
White voiced the young Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1999 animated film Our Friend Martin.
Jordan Peele
Peele portrayed King Jr. in a few skits for his hit sketch comedy show Key & Peele
Jaleel White
White voiced the young Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1999 animated film Our Friend Martin.
Levar Burton
Burton voiced the role of King in Our Friend Martin and briefly played him in the 2001 film “Ali.”
Dexter Scott King
Dexter King, son of the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., portrayed his father in the 2002 CBS TV movie “The Rosa Parks Story” and voiced him in the film Our Friend Martin.
Clifton Powell
Powell played Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1999 TV movie Selma, Lord, Selma.
Jeffrey Wright
Wright played Martin Luther King Jr. in the 2001 TV movie “Boycott.”
Samuel L. Jackson
Jackson played Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 2011 Broadway hit ‘The Mountaintop’.
Malik Yoba
Yoba portrayed Martin Luther King Jr. in the 2013 Lifetime TV movie Betty and Coretta.
Paul Winfield
Winfield portrayed Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1978 TV miniseries “King.”
Nelsan Ellis
The late Nelsan Ellis played MLK Jr. in the 2013 film “Lee Daniels’ The Butler.”
David Oyelowo
David Oyelowo played Martin Luther King Jr. in the 2014 film “Selma.”
Anthony Mackie
Mackie played Martin Luther King Jr. in the 2016 HBO film “All the Way.”
Raymond St. Jacques
Jacques played Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1977 film “The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover.”