Taraji P. Henson: A Rising Star and Advocate for Mental Health

Taraji P. Henson is an American actress who has gained immense recognition and acclaim for her portrayal of strong, complex female characters in both film and television. Born on September 11, 1970, in Washington D.C., her journey to becoming a renowned figure in the entertainment industry has been nothing short of remarkable.

Early Life and Education

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Before pursuing a career in acting, Henson studied electrical engineering at North Carolina AT State University. However, she soon realized her true passion and transferred to Howard University to study drama. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1995, marking a significant milestone in her academic journey.

Making a Name in Hollywood

Henson made her film debut in 1998 with the crime film Streetwise. Her breakthrough role came in 2005, when she played a prostitute in Hustle and a single mother in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008). Her performance in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, cementing her status as one of the most talented actresses in Hollywood.

Since then, she has starred in a variety of successful films, including Baby Boy (2001), The Karate Kid (2010), Think Like a Man (2012), Acrimony (2018), What Men Want (2019), The Best of Enemies (2019), and The Color Purple (2023).

Notable Roles and Awards

One of her most celebrated roles was in the biographical film Hidden Figures (2016), where she portrayed mathematician Katherine Johnson. The film was a critical and commercial success, and Henson received a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for her role.

Henson is also known for her role as Cookie Lyon in the musical drama series Empire. Her portrayal earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama and two Emmy nominations. The series follows the lives of a hip-hop mogul and his family, with Henson playing the ex-wife of the mogul who was released from prison after 17 years.

Television Appearances and Advocacy

In addition to her film roles, Henson has appeared in various television series. She played detective Joss Carter in Person of Interest from 2011 to 2013, Tiffany Rubin in Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story, and a school principal in Abbott Elementary.

Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016. She also released her autobiography Around the Way Girl, which became a New York Times bestseller. In 2019, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and launched The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to provide mental health support and awareness for the African American community in honor of her late father.

Fired from Empire and Future Outlook

In a surprising turn of events, Henson revealed in 2023 that she fired her entire team after Empire ended because they failed to capitalize on her success and secure a spinoff show for her character Cookie Lyon. She expressed that it was the best business decision she ever made, and she is now seeking new opportunities.

Taraji P. Henson is an inspiring and talented actress who has demonstrated her versatility and charisma in various genres and mediums. She is also a passionate advocate for mental health and social justice issues, making her a role model for many in the industry and beyond.

Keywords: Taraji P. Henson, Hidden Figures, Empire