African-American presidents of the United States in popular culture Facts for Kids

Before Barack Obama became the first African American president of the United States in 2008, many writers imagined what a Black president would be like. This idea appeared in books, movies, TV shows, and even comedy routines. Many actors have played a Black president in both serious stories and funny ones.

How TV and Movies Changed Minds
Books About a Black President
- The Man by Irving Wallace
- Other Novels with Black Presidents
Comedians Imagine a Black President
- Early Comedy Routines
Movies and TV Shows with Black Presidents
Music About a Black President
How Obama's Presidency Changed TV
See also

How TV and Movies Changed Minds

When Black actors played the president in popular TV shows and movies, it might have helped people get used to the idea of a Black man leading the country. Dennis Haysbert, who played a Black president on the show 24, said his role "may have opened the eyes, the minds and the hearts of people." He felt it was because his character was so well-liked. This also made people wonder if TV shows could help prepare the public for big changes.

After Barack Obama was elected, some people said the TV show The Cosby Show helped. They called it the "Huxtable effect." The show showed a loving, successful Black family, which was different from many stereotypes. Some even believe the show helped Obama win the election.

Books About a Black President

The Man by Irving Wallace

In 1964, Irving Wallace wrote a popular book called The Man. It was about a Black president named Douglass Dilman. The book explored the challenges a Black president might face. It also showed how Dilman came to power through a very unusual series of events. This book was later made into a movie in 1972 starring James Earl Jones.

Other Novels with Black Presidents

Other books that imagined a first Black president include:

Philip K. Dick's The Crack in Space (1966)
T. Ernesto Bethancourt's young adult novel The Tomorrow Connection (1984)
T.D. Walters' thriller The Race (2007)

Comedians Imagine a Black President

After important civil rights laws were passed in the 1960s, Black people began to take a bigger part in politics. Soon, comedians started including jokes about a Black president in their shows.

Early Comedy Routines

In the 1960s, comedian Bill Cosby often told jokes about an imaginary first Black president. He later stopped these jokes to reach a wider audience.

In 1983, when he was 22, Eddie Murphy performed a funny skit about a Black president in his stand-up show Eddie Murphy Delirious.

Movies and TV Shows with Black Presidents

Many movies and TV shows have shown a Black man as president.

Early Film and TV Appearances

The first movie to show a Black American president was likely Rufus Jones for President in 1933. In this short musical comedy, 7-year-old Sammy Davis Jr. dreams of becoming president.
The 1941 musical movie Babes on Broadway featured Judy Garland dressed as a Black man, singing a song about "Franklin Delano Jones," the first Black president.
In 1972, the film version of Irving Wallace's book The Man starred James Earl Jones as a heroic Black president.
In 1977, comedian Richard Pryor played the first Black president in a skit on The Richard Pryor Show.
Lizzie Borden's 1983 science fiction film Born in Flames also featured a Black president.
The 1987 animated series Spiral Zone was the first TV show to seriously show an African-American president.
In the 1993 science-fiction series SeaQuest DSV, Steven Williams played the unnamed president.
In the 1997 science fiction film The Fifth Element, Tom Lister, Jr. played President Lindberg, the leader of Earth. His race was not mentioned, and his ability to lead was not questioned.
In the 1998 science fiction film Deep Impact, Morgan Freeman played President Tom Beck.
Ernie Hudson played President Westwood in the 1999 movie Stealth Fighter.

24 and Other Shows

The TV show 24 set a new standard when Dennis Haysbert played David Palmer, a strong and successful Black president who fought terrorism. After Palmer's character was no longer on the show, his brother Wayne, played by D.B. Woodside, was also elected president.

More Recent Portrayals (After 2008)

After Barack Obama's election, more Black actors played the president:

Danny Glover played President Thomas Wilson in the 2009 movie 2012.
Blair Underwood played Elias Martinez, an Afro-Cuban US president, in the 2010 NBC series "The Event".
Jamie Foxx played President James William Sawyer in the 2013 movie White House Down.
Samuel L. Jackson played President William Alan Moore in the 2014 movie Big Game.
In the 2014-2015 NBC TV series State of Affairs, Alfre Woodard played Constance Payton, the first Black female president of the United States.
Since 2015, Keith David has voiced "the President" in the animated show Rick and Morty.
In 2019, the show Veep showed that President Kemi Talbot (Toks Olagundoye) and President Richard Splett (Sam Richardson) were Black presidents in the future.
In 2019, Morgan Freeman played President Allan Trumbull in Angel Has Fallen. He had played this character in earlier movies as Speaker of the House and Vice President.
In 2025, Viola Davis played President Danielle Sutton in the film G20.
Also in 2025, Angela Bassett appeared as President Mitchell in the Netflix show Zero Day and as President Erika Sloane in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning.

Music About a Black President

The idea of a Black president has also appeared in music.

Parliament's 1975 song Chocolate City imagined Muhammad Ali as president and James Brown as vice president.
In 1983, R&B artist Blowfly released a song called "The first black president."
The music video for N.W.A's "Express Yourself" showed the White House with the words "Live from the Black House."
Rap artist Nas was inspired by Obama's campaign to write "Black President".
Rap artist Young Jeezy, also inspired by Obama, wrote "My President" with the chorus "My President Is Black..."

How Obama's Presidency Changed TV

Barack Obama's presidency had the potential to change how Black people were shown on TV.

Comedian Bill Cosby was not sure if Obama's presidency would lead to more diverse shows.
Pastor T.D. Jakes hoped the new president would encourage TV to show more "middle-class African-Americans who are articulate, intelligent and thoughtful."
Writer Brok Akil felt that Obama had already helped people talk about race in a more meaningful way.

African-American presidents of the United States in popular culture facts for kids

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