Black, (any ethnicity), actors, actresses as positive role models?

[truthwithin]

Ds15 & I recently watched a popular US series in which a black man plays a character who is 'in charge' of a space colony. He is portrayed as deceptive, untrustworthy and an idiot.
Ds15 has asked if any black or ethnic actors don't play a stereotype. He also has noticed that Asian males in films, (US & UK) are great at martial arts, but are always the first to die. Women, who start out tough, need a man to rescue them in the end and end up hysterical.

The only ones I could think of were:

Morgan Freeman as God & the President of US - very believable.

Idris Elba - In everything I've seen so far.

Does anyone have any others or, any ridiculous stereotypes they would like to share so I can avoid?

Oh, and step AWAY from Star Wars! Shocking stereotyping, the presence of Samuel L Jackson does not make up for Jar Jar Binks and Watto.

(Star Trek, on the other hand, is great for extensive inclusion of multiple ethnicities in positive/complex roles and also a detailed, ongoing examination of the concepts of universal equality, cultural assimilation, etc. Try Star Trek Voyager (female captain) or Deep Space Nine (black captain).)

Don Warrington's had an interesting and varied career.

Billie Dee Williams was in the earlier Star Wars, his race was irrelevant although I think he was cast when someone pointed out that there were no non-white main cast members.

back in the late 1970s, Josette Simon was in two series of Blakes 7 as an action heroine who just happened to be black. Nobody noticed her colour. (although she doesn't put the show on her CV now!)

the aforementioned Noel Clarke was in Doctor Who as (white) Billie Piper's boyfriend. There are lots of non-white guest actors now.

Morgan Freeman is indeed typecast - but so was Sean Connery.

what I'm trying to say is; step away from trashy yank TV and the problem isn't there. There is more to TV than sci-fi although it is evident I don't watch much else.

basgetti I also noticed that immediately when I went to see How to Train your Dragon. He had dreadlocks, darker hair, a hooked nose etc etc (may have been more than one stereotype rolled in there).

My husband isn't black, but he's from a part of the world where his regional stereotype always plays the baddie, it's very tiresome.

zebrazeebra I find it uncomfortable because I don't understand where the OP and her son are coming from and that's why I asked her for clarification.

She hasn't been back. Maybe she will.

I find her summary of black actors as something between Morgan Freeman and Idris Elba quite crass. It's like they are exhibits.

I suppose she could have chucked in Denzel Washington and Sidney Poitier.

But, what do I know? I'm just a white lady. Like you.

This is why Tyler Perry decided to do his thing- change that perception.
Spielsberg too. At least Black actors in the US get a fair deal (given a chance to bring home the bacon). UK on the other hand? zero for ethnic minority talent. Pathetic-me thinks!

Thanks for your replies everyone. Ds15 refuses to watch Star Trek as he thinks it is too old fashioned, (I love it). He does however like Star Wars with the exception of episode 4.

limited This is a question put to me by my 15 yr old son. If you are trying to read more into it, you're looking in the wrong place.

Sci-fi buffs: this is his main genre so more suggestions please. I suspect this type of film is more open to breaking the usual stereotypes.

I personally can't stand Eddie Murphy films, (except Bowfinger & RAW live), they make me cringe. I did forget about Samuel L. Jackson, Will Smith, (recent), etc.

Ds15 has also noticed that the majority of British accented actors play the villain in American movies.

I would say the same about Chinese, Russian etc. I've gone off Jet Li a little now. Ds15 & I love his Chinese movies, but lately he always seems to play the villain or have a minor part, Expendables eg.