Hollywood has long been dominated by white actors, producers, and directors. Though some strides have been made over the years, the fight for inclusion is as relevant today as it has ever been. According to business consultant Jake Tayler, the following five actors don’t just stand out on the screen. They have paved the way for inclusion and diversity in Hollywood.
- Rita Moreno
Moreno was the first Latina to win an Academy Award for best-supporting actress for her role in West Side Story. According to Tayler, Moreno has been a lifelong actress, fighting to get roles that go beyond Latinx stereotypes. Now 88, Moreno’s work has inspired the next generation of Latina actresses who can now pursue more developed lead roles.
- Awkwafina
Awkwafina is a talented actress, rapper, and comedian. According to Tayler, her work confronts Asian stereotypes and brings Eastern culture into the mainstream of Hollywood. Her recent movie, The Farewell, contrasts Eastern and Western styles of grief and community. “Her presence in Hollywood and in the music scene paves the way for other Asian actors to step onto the main stage,” said Tayler.
- David Oyelowo
David Oyelowo is a British and Nigerian actor with film credits that go on for miles. He is perhaps best known for his role as Martin Luther King Jr. in the 2014 film Selma. According to Tayler, Oyelowo is one of the people creating real change in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. He and other Selma cast and crew members wore t-shirts protesting police violence to the movie’s premiere. But they received serious backlash from the Academy. Oyelowo called the Academy out, prompting a slow but sure attempt to increase diversity in the Academy. Tayler says that Oyelowo’s work has had a lasting impact on Hollywood for the better.
- Diane Guerrero
Diane Guerrero is best known for her supporting roles in Jane the Virgin and Orange is the New Black. But Guerrero is not just spurring conversations about Latinx spaces and communities with her onscreen performances. She is also an activist in her personal life. According to Tayler, her memoir entitled In the Country We Love is a must-read. It details the ways that deportation and family separation impact Latinx youth in America. Tayler says that Guerrero’s willingness to open up about her experience with a difficult subject shows other young Latinx actors that they are not alone.
- Viola Davis
Viola Davis has spoken out about the lack of diversity in Hollywood. According to Davis, the problem is that roles are not being created for black people in the first place. Tayler says that if you’ve ever seen Davis perform, you are aware of how compelling she can be on screen. Davis is best known for her role in How to Get Away with Murder. By speaking out against racism in film production, she inspires others to question the homogeneity of the industry.
