Denzel Washington was the first. Won an Oscar for Glory in the 80s, went on to play intelligent characters in the 90s, sometimes a high ranking officer, such as Courage Under Fire and Crimson Tide. But Denzel was for grown ups.
But then came along Will Smith with Fresh Prince. Every kid watched that show. And then he had big roles in Independence Day and all the Men in Black movies, which he did within the span of a few years, making him one of the most famous actors on the planet. And most of the movies were PG-13, so teenagers and grown ups alike could go see them.
And on top of that he had his shitty rap music, which people loved. It solid millions.
If I had to choose I'd take Denzel's life over Will's, obviously. His wife knows her place.
The old joke was that a white actor would have to play a retard or a fag to win an Oscar. And with blacks it would be a fag or a slave. Denzel won for his slave role in Glory.
Will Smith's main early "serious" role was as a gay man in Six Degrees Of Separation.
