Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson is a renowned American actress and author, best known for her roles in Hustle & Flow, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Empire. She has worked with prominent directors such as Craig Brewer, David Fincher, and Lee Daniels. Henson's performances have been recognized by the Screen Actors Guild, Golden Globe Awards, and Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Her career has been shaped by her experiences at Howard University and her early beginnings in Baltimore, where she was born to Bernice Gordon and Boris Henson.

● Early Life and Education

Taraji P. Henson was born in Washington, D.C. to a African American family and spent her early years in Southeast Washington, D.C.. She attended Oxon Hill High School in Oxon Hill, Maryland, and later enrolled in North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University to study engineering. However, she soon transferred to Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she studied drama and graduated in 1995. During her time at Howard University, Henson was exposed to the works of August Wilson, Toni Morrison, and Langston Hughes, which would later influence her acting career. She also worked as a secretary at Pentagon and as a model for Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns, including those supported by American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

● Career

Henson's acting career began with guest appearances on TV shows such as Smart Guy, Felicity, and Sister, Sister. She gained recognition for her role as Yvette in Baby Boy, directed by John Singleton. Her breakthrough performance came in 2005 with the film Hustle & Flow, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination. Henson has since worked with notable actors such as Terrence Howard, Idris Elba, and Denzel Washington in films like American Gangster and The Taking of Pelham 123. She has also appeared in TV series such as Person of Interest and Empire, alongside Terrence Howard and Bryshere Y. Gray.

● Filmography

Some of Henson's notable films include The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Date Night, and Think Like a Man. She has also lent her voice to animated films like The Simpsons and Ice Age: The Meltdown. Henson's performances have been recognized by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the BET Awards. Her filmography includes a range of genres, from drama to comedy, and she has worked with directors such as Judd Apatow and Tim Story. Henson has also appeared in films like What Men Want and Acrimony, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and the American Black Film Festival.

● Awards and Nominations

Throughout her career, Henson has received numerous awards and nominations for her performances. She won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama for her role as Cookie Lyon in Empire. Henson has also been nominated for Emmy Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and NAACP Image Awards. She has received awards from organizations such as the American Black Film Festival, BET Awards, and Essence Magazine. Henson's performances have been recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

● Personal Life

Henson is a single mother to her son, Marcel Johnson, and has been open about her experiences with depression and anxiety. She has been in relationships with actors such as Lamar Odom and Kelvin Hayden. Henson is a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including working with organizations like the American Cancer Society and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She has also been a spokesperson for Puma and L'Oréal.

● Philanthropy

Henson is involved with several charitable organizations, including the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, which she founded in honor of her father. The foundation focuses on providing mental health services to African American communities. Henson has also worked with organizations such as the United Service Organizations and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. She has been a supporter of the American Red Cross and has participated in various fundraising campaigns, including those for Hurricane Katrina relief and Breast Cancer Awareness. Henson's philanthropic efforts have been recognized by organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Category:American actresses