Outstanding Supporting Performance

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Outstanding Supporting Performance *

History of the Category

The Outstanding Supporting Performance category, introduced in 2024, has quickly become a cornerstone of the Black Reel Awards, celebrating actors whose nuanced and compelling performances elevate their films. This non-gendered category honors ten outstanding supporting performances annually, providing a platform for established stars and emerging talents to shine. Danielle Brooks earned the inaugural win for her transformative portrayal of Sofia in The Color Purple, becoming the category's youngest and oldest winner at age 34. With nominees spanning a range of genres—from historical dramas like The Piano Lesson to thought-provoking comedies like American Fiction—this category showcases the depth and breadth of supporting roles in Black cinema.

In just two years, the category has highlighted remarkable achievements, with performers like Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Jurnee Smollett earning multiple nominations for their versatile work. Denzel Washington, the oldest nominee at 70, continues to demonstrate his cinematic prowess with his role in Gladiator II. Meanwhile, the youngest nominee, Brandon Wilson, earned a nod for his powerful performance in Nickel Boys at age 31. By recognizing exceptional supporting roles, the Black Reel Awards emphasize the collaborative nature of storytelling and the vital contributions of actors in bringing complex narratives to life.

PAST WINNERS

  • Danielle Brooks

    THE COLOR PURPLE (2024)

    NOMINEES:

    Erika Alexander | American Fiction

    Sterling K. Brown | American Fiction

    Viola Davis | Air

    Colman Domingo | The Color Purple

    Taraji P. Henson | The Color Purple

    Jamie Foxx | They Cloned Tyrone

    Jonathan Majors | Creed III

    Da'Vine Joy Randolph | The Holdovers

    Jurnee Smollett | The Burial

  • TBD

    NOMINEES:

    Danielle Deadwyler | The Piano Lesson

    Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor | Exhibiting Forgiveness

    Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor |  Nickel Boys

    Brian Tyree Henry | The Fire Inside

    Clarence Maclin | Sing Sing

    Lashana Lynch | Bob Marley: One Love

    Zoe Saldaña | Emilia Pérez

    Jurnee Smollett | We Grown Now

    Denzel Washington | Gladiator II

    Brandon Wilson | Nickel Boys

Category by the numbers

Established: The category was introduced at the 24th Annual Black Reel Awards in 2024.

Youngest Nominee: Brandon Wilson, at 31, for his role in Nickel Boys.

Oldest Nominee: Denzel Washington, at 70, for his performance in Gladiator II.

Oldest & Youngest Winner: Danielle Brooks won at 34 for The Color Purple.

Multiple Nominations: Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Jurnee Smollett each have two nominations in the category’s first two years.

Outstanding Film Connection: Two nominees have been part of films that won Outstanding Film (American Fiction).

Genres Represented: Nominees include roles from musicals (The Color Purple), dramas (The Piano Lesson), and biopics (Bob Marley: One Love).

Crossover Talent: Performers like Sterling K. Brown (American Fiction) and Danielle Deadwyler (The Piano Lesson) excel across film genres.

Historical Dramas Shine: Films like The Piano Lesson and Nickel Boys highlight the category's embrace of period storytelling.

Breakthrough Performances: The category has provided a platform for rising stars like Brandon Wilson to earn industry recognition.