Morgan Freeman and James Earl Jones will be the third and fourth African-American actors inducted into the Actors Hall of Fame. The only other Black actors inducted are Hattie McDaniel and Paul Robeson (no Sidney Poitier ?). According to the Hollywood Reporter :

"The Actors Hall of Fame honors career achievement in theater, film and television. Criteria for nomination include peer recognition and awards, humanitarian contribution to the dramatic arts and education and a demonstrated advancement of the craft of acting.

Honorees are voted for by members of the Actors Hall of Fame's board of electors, who are dramatic arts educators representing more than 100 accredited colleges and universities."

Morgan Freeman is known for legendary films like Driving Miss Daisy , Shawshank Redemption and Million Dollar Baby , where he won an Oscar for best supporting actor. James Earl Jones is an Emmy winner, Golden Globe winner and an Oscar nominee. He is best known for films like The Great White Hope , Claudine and the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars .