In 1963 Omar Sharif won Best Supporting Actor for his role in Lawrence of Arabia – which also won the Golden Globe for Best Film – Drama. In so doing, he became the first Egyptian – and African – to win a Golden Globe.

 

A mere three years later Sharif broke another ceiling by becoming the first African and Egyptian to win Best Actor – Drama for Doctor Zhivago.

 

To celebrate his talent, we throw the spotlight on others who hail from the African continent, that have been celebrated on the Golden Globe’s red carpet and break down their fashion style.

 

 

 

Lupita Nyong’o, the 12 Years a Slave (2013) Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture nominee, was born in Mexico to Kenyan parents and raised in the country of their birth.  

 

She has received critical and commercial success, accessing a huge fan base as Nakia in Black Panther (2018) and with Jordan Peele’s Us (2019). 2022 finds her in 355 and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

 

Nyongo’s style often reflects the bright colors and cut of her heritage. Her gowns veer towards classical simplicity. In the cover photo, she wears Calvin Klein.

 

Above (l) Ralph Lauren. (r) Lupita Nyong’o attends the 72nd Annual Golden Globes Awards 2015 in the soft flowing gown that recalls the shapes of Mexico and the colors of Africa.

Above: Danai Gurira’s parents hail from Zimbabwe. The Black Panther (2018) actress was born in Iowa, and achieved international fame as the independent woman of action in The Walking Dead (2010 – 2022), Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and in this year’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

 

Her style embraces clean lines.

 

Above: The twice Golden Globe nominated Ruth Negga – Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture – Passing (2022) and Best Actress- Motion Picture Drama – Loving (2017), was born on January 7, 1982 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and raised in Ireland. She is an actress and producer.

 

Ruth Negga has been celebrated here on Golden Globes Fashion as an ‘Icon of Style’ with a clear sense of self, embracing both retro and innovative design.

 

 

 

Above: Six-time nominee Charlize Theron hails from South Africa. She won the Golden Globe in 2004 for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama – Monster. She has a long relationship with Dior and uses her height to her advantage, choosing cuts that show up her incredible figure, playing with classics, and innovating with cuts.

Above: In 1966 at the 23rd Golden Globe Awards Claudia Cardinale captured the era. Her hair was in a bouffant with parted and side-swept bangs. Her eyes outlined in the style of the day. The decolletage on display with beads and frills. Vital! People herald Ms. Cardinale as Italian – and who wouldn’t want to claim her? – but she was born in Tunisia, Africa.

Above: David Oyelowo has received two best Actor nominations, one for Television Motion Picture – Nightingale (2016) – and one for Motion Picture Drama – Selma. The Brit was born to Nigerian parents and owns every press encounter with forward men’s fashion. The average guy could not go wrong emulating this talent who embraces patterns and hues. The ensembles often look bespoke. He is as fastidious in his clothing choices as he is in his on-screen choices.

 

 

Above: You thought British? No, the character actor hails from Swaziland, a country in South Africa. Richard E. Grant was nominated for for Can You Ever Forgive Me? in the Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture category.

 

His style veers towards conservative, with good cut and cloth.

Above: Djimon Hounsou was born in 1964 in Cotonou Benin and moved to France at the age of twelve. He was nominated for Amistad in 1998 for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama.

 

With his lean length and good looks, this talented actor is a designer’s dream. He understands color and cut. His clothes are often of exquisite texture and he cuts an impeccable image on the red carpet. Note the trim on his lapel. Subtle and show-stopping.

 

These are just some of the actors of African heritage that have graced the Golden Globes red carpet. Return to see other talent showcased in our 80 years of Golden Globes.