Taraji P. Henson

Actress, Producer, Author, Mental Health Advocate

American Washington, D.C., United States

Quick Info

ProfessionActress, Producer, Author, Mental Health Advocate
NationalityAmerican
Date of Birth11/09/1970
Age55 years
BirthplaceWashington, D.C., United States

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Bio/Wiki

Full NameTaraji Penda Henson
SummaryAcademy Award-nominated actress, producer, author, and mental health advocate known for her dynamic performances in film and television. Named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2016 and 2024.

Educational Qualification(s)

UniversityHoward University
Graduation Year1995
FieldActing

Personal Life

AdvocacyMental health awareness and advocacy within the African American community

Family

BackgroundRaised in challenging circumstances, described as 'one step up from the projects'

Career

Film DebutStreetwise (1998)
Breakthrough RoleBaby Boy (2001)
Notable Films
  • Hustle & Flow (2005)
  • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) - Academy Award nomination
  • Hidden Figures (2016)
  • No Good Deed (2014)
  • Talk to Me (2007)
  • Not Easily Broken (2009)
  • I Can Do Bad All by Myself (2009)
  • Term Life (2016)
Notable Television
  • Empire (2015-2020) - Cookie Lyon role, Golden Globe Award winner, Emmy nominations
  • Smart Guy - first professional acting role
  • Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story (2011) - Emmy nomination
  • Peace of Mind (2020) - talk show creator and host
  • Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist - Peacock series

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Founded The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in 2018, named after her father
2. The foundation provides scholarships to African-American students pursuing mental health careers, offers mental health services to young people in urban schools, and combats recidivism in the prison system
3. Created Peace of Mind talk show in December 2020 dedicated to healing and awareness
4. #1 New York Times bestselling author
5. First Black actress to win Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series
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