10 Black Oscar Winners Fun Facts

Learn more about past winners who have paved the way.

Hattie McDaniel  - Gone With the Wind didn't exactly move race relations forward in America, but the film was responsible for at least one breakthrough: Hattie McDaniel became the first African-American to win an Academy Award. (Photo: John D. Kisch/Separate Cinema Archive/Getty Images)

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Trailblazers - With the Academy Awards less than a week away, all eyes are on Hollywood. But maybe you didn't know some little known facts and stats about past winners and nominees who paved the way. Hattie McDaniel was the first African-American to earn an Oscar. For her performance in 1939's Gone with the Wind, McDaniel earned $1,000 a week for her role as Mammy. By Patrice J. Williams (Photo: John D. Kisch/Separate Cinema Archive/Getty Images)

Mo'Nique - Comedian and talk show host Mo'Nique won an Oscar for her role as the abusive mother in Precious. She has also starred in the TV show The Parkers as well as the movies Baby Boy and Two Can Play That Game. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Paying Homage - In 2010, Mo'Nique won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Precious and accented her cobalt gown with a gardenia in her hair. It was a tribute to Hattie McDaniel, who also wore the delicate flower on the night she won her golden statue. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Jennifer Hudson (Won) - Considering it was her first role, what Jennifer Hudson did in Dreamgirls is pretty breathtaking. The former American Idol winner earned dozens of nominations across an array of ceremonies including, most notably, a victory in the Best Supporting Actress category at the 2006 Oscars. (Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images)

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Golden Debut - Jennifer Hudson made her film debut as Effie White in Dreamgirls and walked away with a win for Best Supporting Actress. It was also the first win for a Black actress in a musical. (Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images)

Glory (1989) - Washington really landed on Hollywood's radar with his incredibly impactful role in Glory. For his portrayal as a defiant soldier and former slave in the Civil War drama, Washington earned his first golden statuette at the Academy Awards (for Best Supporting Actor).  (Photo: REUTERS/Lee Celano /Landov)

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Best in the Biz - Denzel Washington is the only Black actor with two Academy Awards (excluding Lifetime achievements): Best Supporting Actor in 1990 for Glory and Best Actor in 2002 for Training Day. This year's nomination for Flight brings him to a total of 6 nominations. (Photo: REUTERS/Lee Celano /Landov)

Photo By REUTERS/Lee Celano /Landov

Pay Cut - In 2002, Halle Berry became the first Black Best Actress winner for her role as a single mother in Monster's Ball. Her win at the Academy Awards led to another famous "Oscar moment." In accepting her award, she honored previous Black actresses who had never had the opportunity. (Photo: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect.)

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Pay Cut - In 2002, Halle Berry became the first Black Best Actress winner for her role as a single mother in Monster's Ball. Her win at the Academy Awards led to another famous "Oscar moment." In accepting her award, she honored previous Black actresses who had never had the opportunity. (Photo: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect.)

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Show Him the Oscar - Cuba Gooding Jr. gave a high energy acceptance speech for his Best Supporting win in 1996. At 29, the Jerry Maguire actor is the youngest Black Oscar winner. (Photo: Stewart Cook/Online USA Inc)

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Show Him the Oscar - Cuba Gooding Jr. gave a high energy acceptance speech for his Best Supporting win in 1996. At 29, the Jerry Maguire actor is the youngest Black Oscar winner. (Photo: Stewart Cook/Online USA Inc)

Quvenzhané Wallis - The 11-year-old, plucked from obscurity in Houma, Louisiana, wowed audiences and critics with her moving performance as Hushpuppy in Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012), becoming the youngest Oscar nominee in history.

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Baby of the Group - From one youngster to the next, newcomer Quvenzhané Wallis is the youngest Best Actress nominee. We think the adorable 9-year-old has a shot at taking home the industry's top prize for her debut role in Beasts of the Southern Wild. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Baby Boy Director - John Singleton's gritty portrayal of life in Compton lead to a director nomination for Boyz n the Hood. At just 24 years old, he remains the youngest person and the first Black director to be nominated for directing. (Photo: John Barr/Liaison)

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Baby Boy Director - John Singleton's gritty portrayal of life in Compton lead to a director nomination for Boyz n the Hood. At just 24 years old, he remains the youngest person and the first Black director to be nominated for directing. (Photo: John Barr/Liaison)

Undefeated - T.J. Martin became the first Black director to win an Academy Award for a full-length feature. His documentary Undefeated also led to a win for Diddy, who was an executive producer on the film.  (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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Undefeated - T.J. Martin became the first Black director to win an Academy Award for a full-length feature. His documentary Undefeated also led to a win for Diddy, who was an executive producer on the film.  (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)