The Hollywood Reporter has compiled a new list celebrating nineteen Black characters who fundamentally shaped television and film. Spanning decades and genres—from Mookie in Spike Lee's 'Do the Right Thing,' to Issa Dee in HBO's 'Insecure,' to Carlton Banks in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'—these characters transcended their stories to become cultural touchstones. They didn't just entertain; they reshaped how audiences see themselves on screen.

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