As a teen, was nicknamed "Latifah," an Arabic word meaning delicate or sensitive, by a cousin.
Won two state championships as a forward on her high school basketball team.
Released her debut album, All Hail the Queen, in 1989.
Made her big-screen debut in 1991 in Spike Lee's Jungle Fever.
Is co-chairperson of the Lancelot H. Owens Scholarship Fund, founded in memory of her brother Lancelot, who was killed in a motorcycle accident. The fund awards scholarships to economically challenged students.
Was the big winner of a 2000 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire celebrity week, earning $250,000, which she donated to her brother's charity.
Fulfilled a promise to a 16-year-old South Carolina girl who quit school after being harassed for being overweight, accompanying the girl to class when she agreed to return to school.
Has her own line of CoverGirl cosmetics created for women of color.
Awards
2002, Oscar — Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: Nominee
1995, Grammy — Best Female Rap Solo Performance: Winner
2003, Golden Globe — Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: Nominee
2007, Emmy — Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: Nominee
2008, Golden Globe — Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: Winner
2003, BAFTA Film Awards — Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Nominee
2007, Screen Actors Guild Awards — Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: Nominee
2007, Screen Actors Guild Awards — Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: Winner
2002, Screen Actors Guild Awards — Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Nominee
2002, Screen Actors Guild Awards — Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: Winner
2014, People's Choice Awards — Favorite New Talk Show Host: Winner
2015, Critics' Choice Television Awards — Best Actress in a Movie or Limited Series: Nominee
2015, Emmy — Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie: Nominee
2008, Critics' Choice Awards — Best Song: Nominee
2008, Critics' Choice Awards — Best Acting Ensemble: Winner
2015, Emmy — Outstanding Television Movie: Winner
2003, Critics' Choice Awards — Best Acting Ensemble: Winner
2015, Screen Actors Guild Awards — Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: Winner
1997, Independent Spirit Awards — Best Supporting Female: Nominee
2016, Golden Globe — Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Nominee
Relationships
Lancelot Owens Jr. — Brother
Rita Owens — Mother
Lancelot Owens — Father
College
Attended Manhattan Community College, New York, New York, United States
