Chiwetel Ejiofor
Age: 36
Notable roles: Dirty Pretty Things, Inside Man, American Gangster
A brilliant actor who seems to garner more acclaim with every performance, the British star has been one of the most consistently excellent black actors of his generation. While not yet a household name, Ejiofor has given scene-stealing performances in films like American Gangster and there is tremendous buzz surrounding his upcoming film 12 Years A Slave.