5 Incredible Actors Who Played Malcolm X (Ranked): You Won’t Believe Who Tops the List!

Malcolm X was an iconic civil rights leader and proponent of Black empowerment portrayed by a variety of talented actors throughout film and television. Each brings to light different aspects of his amazing life and legacy-from impassioned speeches to personal struggles and, finally, a transformation.

Here are five memorable takes on Malcolm X, ranked from great to legendary.

5. Mario Van Peebles in Ali (2001)

Michael Mann’s biographical film Ali focuses on the life of the great boxer Muhammad Ali, but it also explores his friendship with Malcolm X. Mario Van Peebles played Malcolm, showing a more gentle, personal side of the civil rights leader.

Van Peebles aptly conveyed the effect Malcolm had on Ali through the dynamic of mentor and friend. Although the role of Malcolm X was not intended to be the primary focus, Van Peebles added an emotional gravity to the film-a reminder of the profound mark he left on everyone’s lives with whom he came in contact, even one of the world’s greatest athletes.

4. Morgan Freeman in Death of a Prophet (1981)

Before he was one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, Morgan Freeman played Malcolm X in Death of a Prophet, a TV movie centered around the last 24 hours of Malcolm’s life. Freeman delivers an intensely riveting performance of the leader during these last hours: alone, steadfast in conviction, and teeming with a growing sense of impending death.

While modest in production, Freeman’s presence elevated the film. His portrayal of Malcolm’s mental struggle and unyielding determination resonated deeply with audiences worldwide, making him one of the very few actors ever truly to represent the character.

3. Nigél Thatch in Selma (2014) and Godfather of Harlem (2019–2021)

Nigél Thatch not only portrayed Malcolm X once but twice in very different contexts. In the movie Selma directed by Ava DuVernay, Thatch’s Malcolm X makes a brief yet powerful appearance that gives one a glimpse into his role within the greater civil rights movement during the 1965 Selma voting rights marches.

He later reprised the role in Godfather of Harlem, a series that looks into Malcolm X’s early ties to crime boss Bumpy Johnson during the Harlem Renaissance. Thatch was electrifying in the series, further complicating the character by bringing balance to Malcolm’s activist persona along with the man’s personal turmoil. His authenticity earned him an Emmy nomination, and fans loved how he channeled Malcolm X’s charisma and fiery conviction.

2. Kingsley Ben-Adir in One Night in Miami (2020)

In Regina King’s directorial debut, One Night in Miami, Kingsley Ben-Adir gave a subtle and touching performance as Malcolm X. The film is a fictionalized account of the night when Malcolm, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke all came together on the night Ali won the world heavyweight championship in 1964.

Ben-Adir’s Malcolm X is an intellectual visionary struggling with the weight of his ideals while balancing his humanity. He captures Malcolm’s vulnerability and passion during a time when his views on Black liberation were evolving. This role garnered widespread critical acclaim, and Ben-Adir’s performance highlighted Malcolm’s ability to inspire even those closest to him.

1. Denzel Washington in Malcolm X (1992)

Paramount amongst portrayals about Malcolm X has got to be Denzel Washington’s iconic acting and character portrayal in Spike Lee’s 1992 biographical masterpiece, Malcolm X. A near consensus pick for the greatest performance on record, Washington brings Malcolm to life from his problematic teenage years right through hard prison time, from burgeoning politician times to the untimely assassinations.

Washington’s ability to channel Malcolm X’s magnetic charisma, fiery rhetoric, and profound humanity earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Spike Lee’s attention to detail and historical accuracy, combined with Washington’s dedication to the role, made the film an enduring classic.

For many, the performance of Washington has become synonymous with Malcolm X. It wasn’t just the impassioned speeches he gave voice to that have now become so legendary, but his silent moments in quiet reflection really gave depth and intensity to the life of Malcolm X that was unparalleled.

Celebrating the Legacy of Malcolm X Through Film

Each of these interpretations has contributed something to the life of Malcolm X, allowing new generations to remember him. Be it a very close friendship with Ali, powerful speeches, or personal turmoil, these actors brought new dimensions to one of the most important figures in history.

From Kingsley Ben-Adir’s tender vulnerability to Denzel Washington’s tour de force, performances that remind us of Malcolm X’s enduring impact on civil rights and culture and how his story continues to inspire and resonate across decades.