Although this stunning African-American actress started out as a beauty queen and model, she went on to become a pioneer for black women in Hollywood. Initially Berry appeared on the small screen in the short-lived series
Living Dolls (as a model, of course) as well as a handful of guest spots. Her powerhouse turn as a crack addict in
Jungle Fever proved an impressive entry into films. Despite her obvious talent, the beauty was often reduced to window dressing (
The Last Boy Scout,
Boomerang,
The Flintstones). In 1999 Berry realized a lifelong dream and won an acting Emmy when she produced and starred in the TV biopic
Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, about the first black performer to be nominated for an Oscar as best actress. The part proved prophetic when Berry became the first black actress to win that coveted award in 2002 for her unglamorous turn as a woman coping with a husband on death row in
Monster's Ball. While on a career high, her personal life was messy, including high-profile divorces from professional baseball player David Justice and singer Eric Benet, and a 2000 hit-and-run accident and subsequent civil suit. In the early '00s, Berry also made some career missteps, including a Razzie-winning performance in
Catwoman. But she took all these setbacks in stride and, in an impressive show of good humor, she became the first big-name star to accept her Razzie Award in person in 2005.
Halle Berry Fast Facts:
- Diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 22, she sought treatment from a holistic MD who helped her control the disease without insulin injections.
- During high school was a cheerleader, editor of the school newspaper, an honor-society member, class president and prom queen.
- Was first runner-up in the 1986 Miss USA contest.
- Named "Artist of the Year" by the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations in 1998.
- Broke her arm during the filming of Gothika (2003) and had to wear a cast for most of the movie.
- Has a tattoo of a sunflower which was chosen with much care and thought. "Sunflowers go through the dark times and the bright times and through it all they always reach for the sky," she told Ebony in 1997. "I think that's what my life is going to be about."
- Halle Berry Relationships:
- David Justice - Ex-husband
- Eric Benét - Ex-husband
- Gabriel Aubry - Significant Other
- Heidi Berry - Sister
- Jerome Berry - Father
- Judith Berry - Mother
- Nahla Ariela Aubry - Daughter
- Renee Berry - Half Sister
- Halle Berry Awards:
- 2007 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Female Action Star - Winner
- 2000 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television - Winner
- 2006 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television - Nominee
- 2002 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama - Nominee
- 2000 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie - Winner
- 2005 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie - Nominee
- 2000 Emmy: Outstanding Made for Television Movie - Nominee
- 2005 Emmy: Outstanding Made for Television Movie - Nominee
- 2001 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role - Winner
- College:
- Attended Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, OH
