Taraji P. Henson

Born:September 11, 1970

Place of Birth:Washington, D.C., USA

Known For:Acting

Biography

Taraji P. Henson, born on September 11, 1970, is a versatile American actress, producer, and singer. She honed her craft at Howard University before embarking on her Hollywood journey. Her early career saw her as a guest star on various television shows, showcasing her talent and dedication to the craft. However, it was her role in the 2001 movie "Baby Boy" that truly put her on the map and hinted at the incredible career that lay ahead.

Henson's breakthrough came in 2005 when she captivated audiences with her performance in "Hustle & Flow." Her portrayal of Queenie in David Fincher's "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" in 2008 further solidified her as a force to be reckoned with in the industry. The depth and emotion she brought to the character earned her an Academy Award nomination, showcasing her ability to bring characters to life in a profound and memorable way.

In 2016, Henson was rightfully recognized for her impact and influence when Time magazine included her in their prestigious Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world. This acknowledgment not only speaks to her talent as an actress but also to her cultural significance and the barriers she has broken in the entertainment industry. Beyond her acting prowess, Henson has also delved into the world of music, showcasing her multifaceted talents and passion for creativity.

Her autobiography, "Around The Way Girl," provides a glimpse into her life journey, allowing fans to connect with her on a deeper level and understand the experiences that have shaped her into the powerhouse she is today. Henson's dedication to her craft, coupled with her magnetic on-screen presence, has endeared her to audiences worldwide and solidified her status as a true icon in the world of entertainment.

Whether she is portraying a complex character in a critically acclaimed film or using her platform to advocate for important social issues, Henson's impact extends far beyond the screen. Her ability to embody a wide range of roles with authenticity and depth has earned her respect and admiration from both fans and industry peers alike. Taraji P. Henson continues to inspire and empower with her talent, grace, and unwavering commitment to her craft.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Despicable Me 4

Belle Bottom (voice) (Uncredited)

2024

Gru and Lucy and their girls—Margo, Edith and Agnes—welcome a new member to the Gru family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad. Gru also faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina, forcing the family to go on the run.

The Karate Kid

Sherry Parker

2010

Twelve-year-old Dre Parker could have been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother's latest career move has landed him in China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying but the cultural differences make such a friendship impossible. Even worse, Dre's feelings make him an enemy of the class bully, Cheng. With no friends in a strange land, Dre has nowhere to turn but maintenance man Mr. Han, who is a kung fu master. As Han teaches Dre that kung fu is not about punches and parries, but maturity and calm, Dre realizes that facing down the bullies will be the fight of his life.

Hidden Figures

Katherine G. Johnson

2016

The untold story of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson – brilliant African-American women working at NASA and serving as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history – the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. The visionary trio crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big.

Minions: The Rise of Gru

Belle Bottom (voice)

2022

A fanboy of a supervillain supergroup known as the Vicious 6, Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them, with the backup of his followers, the Minions.

PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie

Victoria Vance (voice)

2023

A magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City and gives the PAW Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The Mighty Pups.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Queenie

2008

Born under unusual circumstances, Benjamin Button springs into being as an elderly man in a New Orleans nursing home and ages in reverse. Twelve years after his birth, he meets Daisy, a child who flits in and out of his life as she grows up to be a dancer. Though he has all sorts of unusual adventures over the course of his life, it is his relationship with Daisy, and the hope that they will come together at the right time, that drives Benjamin forward.

No Good Deed

Terry

2014

Terri is a devoted wife and mother of two, living an ideal suburban life in Atlanta when Colin, a charming but dangerous escaped convict, shows up at her door claiming car trouble. Terri offers her phone to help him but soon learns that no good deed goes unpunished as she finds herself fighting for survival when he invades her home and terrorizes her family.

Ralph Breaks the Internet

Yesss (voice)

2018

Video game bad guy Ralph and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz must risk it all by traveling to the World Wide Web in search of a replacement part to save Vanellope's video game, Sugar Rush. In way over their heads, Ralph and Vanellope rely on the citizens of the internet — the netizens — to help navigate their way, including an entrepreneur named Yesss, who is the head algorithm and the heart and soul of trend-making site BuzzzTube.

What Men Want

Alison "Ali" Davis

2019

Magically able to hear what men are thinking, a sports agent uses her newfound ability to turn the tables on her overbearing male colleagues.

Four Brothers

Camille Mercer

2005

Four adopted brothers return to their Detroit hometown when their mother is murdered and vow to exact revenge on the killers.

Date Night

Detective Arroyo

2010

Phil and Claire Foster fear that their mild-mannered relationship may be falling into a stale rut. During their weekly date night, their dinner reservation leads to their being mistaken for a couple of thieves—and now a number of unsavoury characters want Phil and Claire killed.

Baby Boy

Yvette

2001

The story of Jody, a misguided, 20-year-old African-American who is really just a baby boy finally forced-kicking and screaming to face the commitments of real life. Streetwise and jobless, he has not only fathered two children by two different women-Yvette and Peanut but still lives with his own mother. He can't seem to strike a balance or find direction in his chaotic life.

Larry Crowne

B'Ella

2011

When he suddenly finds himself without his long-standing blue-collar job, Larry Crowne enrolls at his local college to start over. There, he becomes part of an eclectic community of students and develops a crush on his teacher.

Think Like a Man

Lauren Harris

2012

The balance of power in four couples’ relationships is upset when the women start using the advice in Steve Harvey’s book, Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man, to get more of what they want from their men. When the men realize that the women have gotten a hold of their relationship “playbook,” they decide that the best defense is a good offense and come up with a plan to use this information to their advantage.

Smokin' Aces

Sharice Watters

2006

When a Las Vegas performer-turned-snitch named Buddy Israel decides to turn state's evidence and testify against the mob, it seems that a whole lot of people would like to make sure he's no longer breathing.

The Color Purple

Shug Avery

2023

A decades-spanning tale of love and resilience and of one woman's journey to independence. Celie faces many hardships in her life, but ultimately finds extraordinary strength and hope in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.

The Good Doctor

Nurse Theresa

2011

Dr. Martin Blake, who has spent his life looking for respect, meets an 18-year-old patient named Diane, suffering from a kidney infection, and gets a much-needed boost of self-esteem. However, when her health starts improving, Martin fears losing her, so he begins tampering with her treatment, keeping Diane sick and in the hospital right next to him.

The Best of Enemies

Ann Atwater

2019

Centers on the unlikely relationship between Ann Atwater, an outspoken civil rights activist, and C.P. Ellis, a local Ku Klux Klan leader who reluctantly co-chaired a community summit, battling over the desegregation of schools in Durham, North Carolina during the racially-charged summer of 1971. The incredible events that unfolded would change Durham and the lives of Atwater and Ellis forever.

Think Like a Man Too

Lauren Harris

2014

All the couples are back for a wedding in Las Vegas, but plans for a romantic weekend go awry when their various misadventures get them into some compromising situations that threaten to derail the big event.

Acrimony

Melinda Moore Gayle

2018

Faithful wife Melinda, who is tired of standing by her devious husband Robert, is enraged when it becomes clear she has been betrayed. That's when she lost it, and now she cannot let it go.

Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade

Ethel (voice)

2016

A harried prehistoric bird mother entrusts her precious, soon-to-hatch egg to Sid. When she recommends him to her neighbours, business booms at his new egg-sitting service. However, dastardly pirate bunny, Squint, who is seeking revenge on the herd, steals, camouflages and hides all the eggs. Once again, with Squint’s twin brother assisting, Manny, Diego and the rest of the gang come to the rescue and take off on a daring mission that turns into the world’s first Easter egg hunt.

Proud Mary

Mary

2018

Mary is a hit woman working for an organized crime family in Boston, whose life is completely turned around when she meets a young boy whose path she crosses when a professional hit goes bad.

Top Five

Self

2014

Though he began in stand-up comedy, Andre Allen hit the big-time as the star of a trilogy of action-comedies about a talking bear but now he wants to be taken seriously. His passion project about the Haitian Revolution, a movie called Uprize, was panned by the NY Times film critic. A couple days before the wedding to his reality star fiancée, he's forced to spend the day with Chelsea Brown, a profile writer for the New York Times. Unexpectedly, he opens up to her, and as they wind their way across New York, he tries to get back in touch with his comedic roots.

Hustle & Flow

Shug

2005

With help from his friends, a Memphis pimp in a mid-life crisis attempts to become a successful hip-hop emcee.

Muppets Haunted Mansion

The Bride

2021

Gonzo is challenged to spend one night in The Haunted Mansion on Halloween night.

Production

No Good Deed

Executive Producer

2014

What Men Want

Executive Producer

2019

Magically able to hear what men are thinking, a sports agent uses her newfound ability to turn the tables on her overbearing male colleagues.

Proud Mary

Executive Producer

2018

Mary is a hit woman working for an organized crime family in Boston, whose life is completely turned around when she meets a young boy whose path she crosses when a professional hit goes bad.