Ruth E. Carter
Biography
Ruth E. Carter (born April 10, 1960) is an American costume designer for film and television, with over 40 films to her credit. During her 30-year-plus film career, Carter has been nominated four times for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design, for her work on Spike Lee's biographical film Malcolm X (1992), Steven Spielberg's historical drama film Amistad (1997), and her most recent work on Ryan Coogler's Marvel superhero films Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022). For her work on Black Panther, she won the award and became the first African-American to win an Academy Award in that category. She made further history by winning the same award for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which makes her the first Black woman to win multiple Oscars in any category. Carter also has a large exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of Art displaying more than 60 of her original garments while also showcasing her immersive process, historical research, and the attention to detail that imbues every project she brings to life.
Personal Details
Also Known As
Movies (43)
The Thomas Crown Affair
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2027
The Pickup
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2025
Sinners
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2025
Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
as Self
2023
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2022
20/20 Presents Black Panther: In Search of Wakanda
as Self
2022
Coming 2 America
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2021
Dolemite Is My Name
Costume Designer (Costume & Make-Up)
2019
Above Suspicion
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2019
Black Panther
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2018
Marshall
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2017
Kidnap
Costume Designer (Costume & Make-Up)
2017
Keeping Up with the Joneses
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2016
Chi-Raq
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2015
Da Sweet Blood of Jesus
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2015
Selma
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2014
The Best of Me
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2014
Oldboy
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2013
The Butler
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2013
Teen Beach Movie
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2013
Sparkle
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2012
Abduction
Costume Designer (Costume & Make-Up)
2011
Frankie & Alice
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2010
Black Dynamite
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2009
Bring It On: Fight to the Finish
Costume Designer (Costume & Make-Up)
2009
Imagine That
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2009
Spread
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2009
Edith Head: Dressing the Master's Movies
as Self
2008
Meet Dave
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2008
Serenity
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2005
Four Brothers
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2005
By Any Means Necessary: The Making of 'Malcolm X'
as Self
2005
Against the Ropes
Costume Designer (Costume & Make-Up)
2004
Daddy Day Care
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2003
I Spy
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2002
Baby Boy
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2001
Dr. Dolittle 2
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2001
Bamboozled
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2000
Shaft
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2000
Love & Basketball
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2000
Summer of Sam
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
1999
How Stella Got Her Groove Back
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
1998
Amistad
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
1997
TV Shows (7)
Tamron Hall
as Self - Guest
2019
Black Hollywood: 'They've Gotta Have Us'
as Self
2018
Abstract: The Art of Design
as Self
2017
To Tell the Truth
as Self - Costume Designer for Black Panther
2016
Roots
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2016
Cosmos
Costume Designer (Costume & Make-Up)
2014
Thief
Costume Design (Costume & Make-Up)
2006