Iconic film and TV lines have been delivered throughout time with unmatched style, swagger, and unapologetic boldness. Black actors and actresses appear to have a unique gift for delivering lines that resonate deeply. Even one single line from a TV show or movie has the power to forever capture the sentiments of an entire culture and a period in time. They’ve made us think, feel, and in some instances, even changed our perspective on life.
Denzel Washington, who stands as a shining example of range and excellence in the film industry can make even the most unflappable character break out in a sweat. Denzel’s best quotes are often full of authenticity, and have left a lasting impact on audiences, ensuring that his characters’ words resonate long after the credits roll.
Samuel L. Jackson is an actor who can hold a master class on how to swear with style. The veteran actor is famous for uttering profanities in his films.
Interestingly enough, he is associated with the word “mothafucka.” The actor once revealed how profanity helps keep his stuttering under control. If Jackson were to be compared to other actors who are known for swearing in films, he’d surely win in a mothafucking landslide.
The iconic actor, the late James Earl Jones spoke some of the most memorable lines in the history of American film, he was a man known for his voice. We loved how he expressed himself though the words. Jones spoke from his toes, his gut, his heart. He spoke truly and deeply.
We relish those unforgettable lines delivered by our actors and actresses. Perhaps as the holidays approach, you will be inspired to binge on a few of the classic films and TV shows we mention.
While some big and small screen lines make us laugh, others might make us cry, here are some memorable ones.
Denzel Washington, Training Day (2001)–“King Kong ain’t got sh** on me!”
Chadwick Boseman, Black Panther (2018)–“Wakanda forever!”
Larenz Tate, Love Jones (1997)–“Let me tell you somethin’. This here, right now, at this very moment, is all that matters to me. I love you. That’s urgent like a mothafucka.”
Leon, The Temptations (1998)–“Ain’t nobody comin’ to see you, Otis!”
Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Welcome Back, Kotter (1975 to 1979)–“Hi there!”
Viola Davis, The Help (2011)–“You is kind. You is smart. You is important.”
Kerry Washington, Scandal (2012-2018)–“It’s handled.”
Sherman Hemsley, The Jeffersons (1975-1985)–“I’m the only person I know who can make a sandwich out of the crumbs from the bottom of a bag of chips and still call it a meal!”
Michael K. Williams, The Wire (2002-2008)–“Omar comin’ yo!”
Diahann Carroll, Dynasty (1974)–“I don’t sleep in my clothes, nor do I sleep with them. I require one bedroom for my wardrobe and one for myself.”
Janelle Monáe, Hidden Figures (2016)–“We all get there together, or we don’t get there at all.”
Tyler Perry, Madea Goes to Jail (2009)–“The only thing worse than a liar is a liar with a Bible.”
Laurence Fishburne, Boyz n the Hood (1991)–“Either they don’t know, don’t show, or don’t care about what’s going on in the hood.”
Michael B. Jordan, Black Panther (2018)–“Bury me in the ocean with my ancestors who jumped from ships, ‘cause they knew death was better than bondage.”
Queen Latifah, Set it Off (1996)–“We ain’t robbing stagecoaches, man. We need something to get us outta here.”
Idris Elba, The Wire (2002-2008)–“You come at the king; you best not miss.”
Cicely Tyson, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974)–“All my life, I’ve been called Jane Pittman. I ain’t never been called by the name my mama give me.”
Sydney Poitier, In the Heat of the Night (1967)–“They call me, Mr. Tibbs.”
Oprah Winfrey, The Color Purple (1985)–“All my life I had to fight. I had to fight my daddy. I had to fight my uncles. I had to fight my brothers. A girl child ain’t safe in a family of men, but I ain’t never thought I’d have to fight in my own house!”
Taraji P. Henson, Empire (2015-2020)–“The streets ain’t made for everybody. That’s why they made sidewalks.”
Haywood Nelson, What’s Happening!! (1976-1979)–“Hey, hey, hey!”
Nia Long, The Best Man (1999)–“I’m not playing this game anymore. I’m done. I’m going to bed.”
Terrence Howard, Hustle and Flow (2005)–“It’s hard out here for a pimp.”
Billy Dee Williams, Lady Sings the Blues (1972)–“You want my arm to fall off?”
Pam Grier, Foxy Brown (1974)–“I’m gonna have to take you out, and I don’t mean to dinner.”
Esther Rolle, Good Times (1974-1979)–“Damn, damn, damn!”
Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs, Cooley High (1975)–“Don’t you know, fool? I do that to remember. A lot of the brothers are dead, or in jail. This is for them.”
Jimmy Walker, Good Times (1974-1979)–“Dyn-o-mite!”
Denzel Washington, Malcom X (1992)–“We didn’t land on Plymouth Rock. Plymouth Rock landed on us.”
Phylicia Rashad, The Cosby Show (1984-1992)–“Let me tell you something, Elvin. You see, I am not ‘serving’ Dr. Huxtable. okay? That’s the kind of thing that goes on in a restaurant. Now, I’m going to bring him a cup of coffee, just like he brought me a cup of coffee this morning. And that, young man, is what marriage is made of: it is give and take, fifty-fifty. And if you don’t get it together and drop these macho attitudes, you are never going to have anybody bringing you anything, anywhere, anyplace, anytime, ever!”
Butterfly McQueen, Gone with the Wind (1939)–“I don’t know nothin’ ‘bout birthin’ babies!”
Kerry Washington, Scandal (2012-2018)–“I’m a gladiator in a suit.”
Samuel L. Jackson, Pulp Fiction (1994)–“English, mothafucka, do you speak it?”
Laurence Fishburne, What’s Love Got to Do with It (1993)–“I made you who you are!”
Billy Dee Williams, Mahogany (1975)–“Success is nothing without someone you love to share it with.”
Jim Kelly, Black Belt Jones (1974)–Jones is questioned by a police officer, “Where were you between 4 and 5?” Kelly responds, “Kindergarten, mothafucka!”
Spike Lee, She’s Gotta Have It (1986)–“Nola Darling will never marry some non-modeling, non-weight-lifting, pseudo-Black man like yourself.”
Halle Berry, Boomerang (1992)–“What do you know about love? What could you possibly know about love? You know, I’m sick and tired of men using love as if it’s some disease you just catch. Love should have brought your ass home last night.”
James Earl Jones, Return of the Jedi (1983)–“Give yourself to the dark side.”
