Taraji P. Henson - Actress
Age: 55
Country: United States Occupations:
Actress
Taraji P. Henson is an American actress born on September 11, 1970, in Washington, D.C. She is widely recognized for her dynamic performances in both film and television, often playing strong female characters.
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## π Career Highlights
Henson's notable roles and accolades include:
* Academy Award Nomination: She received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Queenie in the film ***The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*** (2008).
* Golden Globe Award: She won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress β Television Series Drama for her portrayal of the flashy and outspoken Loretha "Cookie" Lyon on the hit TV series ***Empire*** (2015β2020).
* Other Key Roles: Her filmography includes roles in ***Hustle & Flow*** (2005), where she made her singing debut, as mathematician Katherine Johnson in ***Hidden Figures*** (2016), and as Detective Joss Carter in the series ***Person of Interest*** (2011β2013).
* Accolades: Her overall accolades include a Golden Globe Award, along with nominations for an Academy Award, six Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award.
* Influence: Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in both 2016 and 2024.
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## π Advocacy and Background
* Mental Health Advocacy: Henson is an advocate for mental health awareness and founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, named after her father, to address mental health issues within the African American community.
* Education: She studied electrical engineering at North Carolina A&T State University before transferring to Howard University, where she graduated with a BFA in Theater.
* Early Life: She was born to Bernice Gordon, a corporate manager, and Boris Lawrence Henson, a janitor and metal fabricator. She faced various challenges in her early life, including her parents' divorce and working multiple jobs to support herself and her son while attending college.