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Taraji P. Henson Biography

Birth Name:

Taraji Penda Henson

Birth Place:

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Profession

Actor

Fast Facts

Originally pursued an electrical engineering degree at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, but switched to acting---and to Howard University---after failing pre-calculus
Worked her way through Howard as a Pentagon receptionist by day and a singing/dancing waitress on a dinner cruise at night
Began landing TV work in the late 1990s, first with small parts on ER and Smart Guy, and later with recurring roles on The Division and Boston Legal
Breakout role came with hip-hop drama Hustle & Flow (2005), in which she played the prostitute Shug and performed the Oscar-winning song "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp
" Hustle role brought Henson to the attention of the casting director for David Fincher's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), in which Henson gave an acclaimed performance as the title character's adopted mother, Queenie

2016Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama: winner
2016Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2016Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: winner
2015Critics' Choice Television Awards-Best Actress in a Drama Series: winner
2015Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2011Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
2009Critics' Choice Awards-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
2009Critics' Choice Awards-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2008Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2008Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2008Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2008Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2008Austin Film Critics-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2007Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2007Golden Satellite Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2005Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated