The role of the President of the United States is one that has been portrayed in film and television countless times over the years.
While historically the role has been mostly portrayed by white actors, in recent years, Black actors have been making their mark, bringing their unique perspectives and experiences to the role. Unfortunately, gender diversity is still lacking, and there are not many women who have taken on the mantle of commander in chief.
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But let’s focus on the positive. Did you know that James Earl Jones was one of the first Black actors to play the President in the 1972 film “The Man”?
Since then, many other Black actors have taken on the role, from Morgan Freeman in “Deep Impact” to Terry Crews in “Idiocracy.”
These portrayals not only provide representation but also challenge stereotypes and expand our understanding of what it means to hold the highest office in the country.
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So, on this President’s Day, let’s take a moment to celebrate and recognize the actors who portrayed the President in TV and Film.
Morgan Freeman – “Deep Impact” (1998), “Angel Has Fallen” (2019)
Freeman played President Tom Beck in this disaster film about a comet heading towards Earth. Freeman also played President Allan Trumbull in Angel Has Fallen, the third movie in the Fallen film series.
Chris Rock – “Head of State” (2003)
In this political comedy, Rock portrays a Washington, D.C. alderman who becomes the first Black President of the United States after the President and Vice President die in a plane crash.
Samuel L Jackson – “Big Game” (2014)
Actor Samuel L. Jackson played William Alan Moore, the US president in the 2014 movie Big Game.
Dennis Haysbert – “24” (2001-2006)
Haysbert played President David Palmer in the popular TV series “24”, becoming the first Black actor to portray the President on a prime-time drama.
Jamie Foxx – “White House Down” (2013)
Foxx played President James Sawyer in this action thriller about an attack on the White House.
Danny Glover – “2012” (2009)
Glover played President Thomas Wilson in this disaster film about the end of the world.
Terry Crews – “Idiocracy” (2006)
Crews played President Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho in this satirical comedy about a future dystopia.
Tom Lister Jr. – “The Fifth Element” (1997)
In the 1997 sci-fi, Lister played President Lindberg, the commander-in-chief of not just the United States of America but the planet Earth.
Alfre Woodard – “State of Affairs” (2014-2015)
Woodard played President Constance Payton in this political drama series about a CIA analyst who briefs the President on national security issues.
Steven Williams – “Seauest” (1993)
In the 1993 science-fiction series SeaQuest DSV, the unnamed president of the United States featured in the first season episode “Better Than Martians” is portrayed by Williams.
Keith David – “Rick and Morty” (2013-present)
David voices President Curtis in the animated series “Rick and Morty”.
James Earl Jones – “The Man” (1972)
Jones played President Douglas Dilman, who becomes the first Black President after the President and Speaker of the House are killed in a building collapse.
Richard Pryor – “The Richard Pryor Show” (1977)
Pryor played the President in a comedy sketch in his TV series.
Louis Gossett Jr. – “Left Behind: World at War” (2005), “Solar Attack (2006)
Gossett Jr. played the president in two different movies in 2005 — in the Christian movie Left Behind: World at War he played President Gerald Fitzhugh and in the direct-to-DVD Solar Attack he played President Ryan Gordon.
Dave Chappelle – “Chappelle’s Show” (1993)
In 2004, a sketch on Chappelle’s Show called “Black Bush” featured Dave Chappelle as an African-American “interpretation” of then President George W. Bush and his administration.
Blair Underwood – “The Event” (2010)
NBC’s 2010 series “The Event” features Underwood in a starring role as Elias Martinez, an Afro-Cuban US president.
Roger Cross – “Polar Storm” (2019)
Roger Cross commands the screen as the President in the thrilling adventure of Polar Storm
Toks Olagundaye – “Veep” (2019)
In 2019, the flashforward to 2045 in the final episode of Veep revealed that President Kemi Talbot (Toks Olagundoye) served two terms sometime between 2025 and 2041. President Richard Splett (Sam Richardson) was the incumbent president of 2045, having won a landslide reelection in 2044.
Ernie Hudson – “Stealth Fighter” (1999)
Hudson delivered a powerful and commanding performance as the President of the United States in “Stealth Fighter.”
DB Woodside – “24” (1993)
In 2004, a sketch on Chappelle’s Show called “Black Bush” featured Dave Chappelle as an African-American “interpretation” of then President George W. Bush and his administration.