
Before Fame: 20 Black A-Listers Who Starred in Canceled Shows
Not every superstar begins their career with a blockbuster hit. In fact, some of the biggest names in Black Hollywood had their earliest roles in short-lived or forgotten TV shows. These series may have flopped, but they served as stepping stones for actors who went on to become household names.
Think of it as a 'before they were famous' moment — a peek into the humble (and sometimes bizarre) beginnings of today's A-list talent. Whether it was a sitcom that didn't make it past season one or a drama buried under poor ratings, these canceled shows gave rising stars their first shot.
From Oscar winners to Marvel heroes, these Black actors pushed through Hollywood's early rejections and emerged as icons. You might be surprised by how many got their start in TV shows you've never heard of — or barely remember.
Tap in as we revisit 20 Black celebrities who turned early career flops into full-blown fame.
20 Black Movies That Flopped But Are Now Certified Classics
The Residence Canceled by Netflix—And It's Not the Only Black-Led Show Cut Too Soon
20 Black Women in Film Who Proved One Role Can Change Everything
Before Fame: 20 Black A-Listers Who Starred in Canceled Shows was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
1. Viola Davis – City of Angels (2000)
Before her Oscar, Viola starred in this short-lived CBS medical drama with a majority-Black cast. 2. Michael B. Jordan – The Assistants (2009)
This comedy series aired on BET and was canceled quickly, but Jordan was already showing star power.
3. Jamie Foxx – Roc (1992, guest role)
Before The Jamie Foxx Show, he appeared in this gritty, underrated sitcom — a stepping stone to stardom. 4. Zendaya – Shake It Up (2010–2013)
A Disney hit that launched her, but the show was canceled after 3 seasons, just before her global breakout.
5. Donald Glover – Community (2009–2015)
While a cult hit, Community was shuffled and canceled repeatedly — Glover left before his music and Emmy run. 6. Chadwick Boseman – Lincoln Heights (2007–2009)
Before Black Panther, Chadwick had a recurring role on this family drama that ended after 4 seasons.
7. Kerry Washington – Wonderfalls (2004)
She had a brief appearance before Scandal fame in this cult-favorite Fox series canceled after 4 episodes. 8. Regina King – 227 (1985–1990)
Her first major role was in this NBC sitcom that faded just before the 90s, but launched her acting career.
9. Octavia Spencer – Halfway Home (2007)
A short-lived improv-based sitcom on Comedy Central — Spencer was far from the Oscar winner she'd become. 10. Mahershala Ali – The 4400 (2004–2007)
Ali starred in this sci-fi series on USA Network before grabbing two Oscars.
11. Queen Latifah – Living Single (1993–1998)
Canceled after 5 seasons despite high ratings. Its legacy? Paving the way for Friends — and for Latifah's TV/film career. 12. Ultraviolet (1998, Channel 4 – UK)
Long before Hollywood fame, Elba starred in this cult British sci-fi drama as a vampire hunter. The show was critically acclaimed but canceled after just six episodes — now it's a hidden gem for Elba fans.
13. Anthony Mackie – All the Way (2001)
A political miniseries that disappeared fast, but gave Mackie his first major exposure. 14. Yara Shahidi – The First Family (2012–2013)
Before Black-ish, Shahidi starred in this sitcom about a fictional Black president — it didn't last.
15. Lakeith Stanfield – The Get Down (2016–2017)
Netflix axed it after one season, but Stanfield's scene-stealing role helped him land Atlanta and Judas and the Black Messiah. 16. Tessa Thompson – Veronica Mars (2005–2006)
A supporting role in this teen detective drama helped her land more serious gigs.
17. Danai Gurira – Treme (2010–2013)
Before The Walking Dead and Black Panther, she played a fierce activist in this HBO post-Katrina drama. 18. Meagan Good – Raising Dad (2001–2002)
This sitcom with Bob Saget only lasted a season — Meagan later took off in Think Like a Man and Harlem.
19. Tyler James Williams – Go On (2012–2013)
After Everybody Hates Chris but before Abbott Elementary, Williams was in this NBC dramedy canceled after one season. 20. Issa Rae – The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl (2011–2013)
Her original YouTube series was eventually ended to make way for Insecure — a classic pivot from web to HBO.
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Forging the Sound of Heavy Metal Born in Birmingham, England on December 3, 1948, Osbourne's early life gave little clue of the legacy he'd build. That all changed in 1968 when he co-founded Black Sabbath with Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and Tony Iommi. Named after a Boris Karloff horror film, the band developed a slow, ominous sound that laid the groundwork for heavy metal. Albums like Paranoid (1970), Master of Reality (1971), and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973) introduced a new kind of sonic darkness — and Ozzy's ghostly vocals made it unforgettable. Dubbed the 'Prince of Darkness' for his theatrical stage presence and wild reputation, Ozzy was just as beloved for his offstage sincerity. After parting ways with Sabbath in 1979 due to substance abuse, he launched a solo career that began with Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and never let up. He also created Ozzfest, a festival that grossed over $100 million and helped put countless hard rock and metal bands on the map. His final live performance — a Black Sabbath reunion on July 5, 2025, in his hometown — saw him seated on a throne, offering a heartfelt farewell to a crowd of 40,000. Changing TV Forever with The Osbournes In 2002, Ozzy once again broke new ground — this time in reality TV. MTV's The Osbournes, which ran until 2005, gave viewers a fly-on-the-wall look at his eccentric family life with wife Sharon and kids Jack and Kelly. The show was loud, messy, and deeply relatable, turning Ozzy into a baffled-yet-lovable dad figure and launching a new era of celebrity reality shows. Unlike many of its successors, The Osbournes felt real — sometimes painfully so. The series didn't shy away from Sharon's cancer battle or Ozzy's near-fatal ATV crash. The show quickly became MTV's most-watched program and even won a 2002 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Reality Program. In a 2023 interview with Spin, Ozzy recalled: 'What you saw was what really went on. It wasn't contrived.' 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The Jerky Boys (1995): Took on the role of a rock band manager. Took on the role of a rock band manager. Private Parts (1997): Brief but memorable cameo in the Howard Stern biopic. Brief but memorable cameo in the Howard Stern biopic. Little Nicky (2000): Appeared as himself in a scene with flying bats — naturally. Appeared as himself in a scene with flying bats — naturally. Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002): Joined the family in a cheeky send-up of their reality TV fame. Joined the family in a cheeky send-up of their reality TV fame. Gnomeo & Juliet (2011) and Sherlock Gnomes (2018): Voiced the character Fawn, proving he could be kid-friendly, too. Voiced the character Fawn, proving he could be kid-friendly, too. Ghostbusters (2016): Popped up in a fun cameo. Popped up in a fun cameo. Trolls World Tour (2020): Voiced King Thrash, the hard-rock villain. Voiced King Thrash, the hard-rock villain. We Need to Do Something (2021): Voiced 'Good Boy' in a dark, surreal horror film. See also Arrow Video's July Releases Include A Sylvester Stallone Classic, Nordic Noir, Cult Favorite Body Horror & More Ozzy also appeared in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2013) and was the subject of the intimate 2011 documentary God Bless Ozzy Osbourne, produced by his son Jack. A biopic based on his memoir I Am Ozzy is in development at Sony, with Ozzy hoping the lead role goes to a talented unknown British actor. He made guest appearances on shows ranging from The Talk to Sesame Street, showing off the full range of his personality. Fans online continue to hail The Osbournes as one of the greatest reality shows ever and praise Ozzy for transcending generations. Leaving a Legacy That Won't Be Forgotten Ozzy Osbourne's influence can't be overstated. He didn't just help create heavy metal — he became its face. Artists like Billy Corgan and John Darnielle credit him as a major influence, and his honesty and vulnerability on reality TV helped change public perceptions of rock stars. 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