Henry Louis Gates, Jr. - Actor Profile

Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Acting
Freshness: Jan 31, 2026
18Total Films
7.9 Highest Rated
Born: Sep 16, 1950
Birth Place: Keyser, West Virginia, USA

About Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Henry Louis "Skip" Gates, Jr. is an American historian, literary critic, filmmaker and public intellectual who currently serves as the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 18 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Documentary

The majority of Henry Louis Gates, Jr.'s filmography leans towards the Documentary genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 28% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Henry Louis Gates, Jr. remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in 13th, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Henry Louis Gates, Jr.'s career based on audience ratings.

★7.9
13th (2016) movie poster
★7.9

13th: An in-depth look at the prison system in the United States and how it reveals the nation's history of racial inequality.

13th

2016•Documentary
★7.8
Not Black Enough (2017) movie poster
★7.8

Not Black Enough: A deep look at the class warfare and the contradictions that African-Americans face within their own community when many

Not Black Enough

2017•Documentary
★7.0
Reconstruction: America After the Civil War (2019) movie poster
★7.0

Reconstruction: America After the Civil War: The series explores the transformative years following the American Civil War, when the nation struggled to rebuild itse

Reconstruction: America After the Civil War

2019•Documentary
★6.9
Nas: Time Is Illmatic (2014) movie poster
★6.9

Nas: Time Is Illmatic: Time Is Illmatic is a feature length documentary film that delves deep into the making of Nas' 1994 debut album, Illmati

Nas: Time Is Illmatic

2014•Documentary
★6.9
Color Adjustment (1992) movie poster
★6.9

Color Adjustment: From Amos 'n' Andy to Nat King Cole, from Roots to The Cosby Show, black people have played many roles on primetime tele

Color Adjustment

1992•Documentary

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Henry Louis Gates, Jr..

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 The Gettysburg Address Self Flop Similar →
2024 Henry Louis Gates, Jr. - The Fabric of America Himself Flop Similar →
2024 Gospel Live! Presented By Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Self Flop Similar →
2022 Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches Self Average Similar →
2020 John Lewis: Good Trouble Self Flop Similar →
2019 Reconstruction: America After the Civil War Self Hit Similar →
2019 Henry Louis Gates Jr.: Uncovering America Self - Professor, Author and Filmmaker Flop Similar →
2018 America's Library Self Flop Similar →
2017 Not Black Enough Self Super Hit Similar →
2017 Birth of a Movement Self Average Similar →
2016 13th Self Super Hit Similar →
2016 Black America since MLK: And still I rise - Flop Similar →
2014 Nas: Time Is Illmatic Self Hit Similar →
2009 Looking for Lincoln Self - Host Flop Similar →
2004 A Place of Our Own Self (as Henry Louis Gates) Flop Similar →
2003 Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property Self Average Similar →
1999 Leaving Cleaver Self Flop Similar →
1992 Color Adjustment Self Hit Similar →

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Henry Louis Gates, Jr.?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is "13th" with a rating of 7.9/10.

How many movies has Henry Louis Gates, Jr. acted in?

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. has been featured in at least 18 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.?

Other notable films include "Not Black Enough", "Reconstruction: America After the Civil War", and "Nas: Time Is Illmatic".