Taraji Penda Henson, born on September 11, 1970, is a highly acclaimed American actress known for her versatile performances in film and television. She’s won awards like the Golden Globe and has been nominated for an Academy Award and four Primetime Emmy Awards.

 

She learned acting at Howard University. Her first movie was Streetwise in 1998. People noticed her acting in Hustle & Flow in 2005 and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button in 2008. She got an Academy Award nomination for her role in Benjamin Button. In 2016, she won appreciation for playing Katherine Johnson in Hidden Figures.

 

She’s been in other movies too, like Baby Boy, The Karate Kid, Think Like a Man, Acrimony, What Men Want, The Best of Enemies, and The Color Purple.

 

On TV, she was in Person of Interest from 2011 to 2013 and in Empire from 2015 to 2020, where she won a Golden Globe. She was also nominated for Emmy Awards for her roles in Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story and Abbott Elementary.

 

In 2016, Time magazine clubbed her among her one of the top 100 influential people in the world. And in 2019, she got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She has also written  a book called Around the Way Girl, which became a bestseller

 

Taraji Penda Henson – Education, Ethnicity and Background

Taraji Penda Henson, hailing from Southeast Washington, D.C., had an upbringing that shaped her into the celebrated actress we know today. Her parents were Bernice and Boris Henson, and she often speaks fondly of her grandma, Patsy Ballard, who was a big influence in her life.

 

Taraji’s name has beautiful meanings – Taraji means “hope” and Penda means “love” in Swahili. Fun fact: Taraji’s family roots trace back to the Masa people of Cameroon, and she’s also related to the famous explorer Matthew Henson!

 

Growing up, Taraji attended Oxon Hill High School in Maryland and later went to Howard University to study drama, though she initially planned to study electrical engineering. To pay for college, she worked as a secretary at The Pentagon during the day and danced and sang as a waitress on a dinner-cruise ship at night.

Career – A Multi-faceted Personality

 

Taraji’s acting journey kicked off in the early ’90s with small roles, and she got her big break in the 2001 film Baby Boy. From there, she appeared in various TV shows and movies, like House, CSI, and Hustle & Flow, where she even showcased her singing talent! Her standout performance as Queenie in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button earned her an Academy Award nomination.

 

In 2015, Taraji landed the role of Cookie Lyon in the hit TV series Empire, which catapulted her to even greater fame. She made history as the first African-American woman to win the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series and later won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Cookie. She’s since starred in blockbuster films like Hidden Figures, Proud Mary, and What Men Want, showcasing her versatility as an actress.

 

Taraji doesn’t just act; she also produces and hosts. She’s co-hosted holiday specials with Terrence Howard, starred in biopics like Hidden Figures, and even voiced a character in ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’. She’s always up for a challenge, whether it’s tackling sensitive topics in her work or hosting her own talk show, ‘Peace of Mind with Taraji.’

 

In December 2021, she took on the role of Miss Hannigan in Annie Live! on NBC, and in 2023, she wowed audiences as Shug Avery in The Color Purple alongside Danielle Brooks. Taraji’s career is a testament to her talent, hard work, and determination to shine in Hollywood.

 

 

Taraji P. Henson has got skills beyond acting! Remember the movie “Hustle & Flow”? That’s where she first sang, and her song won an Academy Award. Pretty cool, right? She’s also been in music videos and even has her own makeup collection with MAC Cosmetics.

 

But Taraji’s not just about fame and glamour. She’s also known for her philanthropy. She’s worked with MAC to support the fight against HIV/AIDS and started a foundation to help people dealing with mental health issues, especially in the Black community.

 

She’s not just about entertainment, either. Taraji has rocked the stage in theater productions and now even advises the President on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. She’s a true star, both on and off the screen!

 

 

Taraji P. Henson  – Husband and Ex-Boyfriend

Back in 1994, Taraji P. Henson became a mom to her son, Marcell. His dad, William LaMarr Johnson, was Taraji’s sweetheart from high school, but sadly, he was killed in 2003. It hasn’t always been easy for Taraji and her son. In 2014, she spoke out when Marcell was stopped by the police in California. It turned into a big deal, but Taraji later apologized, saying being a mom is tough, and so is being a police officer.

 

Taraji’s not just about acting; she’s got a big heart for animals too. She’s supported PETA and even posed nude for their campaigns to raise awareness about animal cruelty. She’s also been open about her beliefs and lifestyle changes, like going vegan in 2017.

 

Love has been a journey for Taraji too. She got engaged to a former NFL player, Kelvin Hayden, in 2018, but sadly, they called it off in 2020. Through it all, Taraji holds onto her faith. She sees acting as more than just a job; it’s a spiritual thing for her.

 

Taraji P. Henson – Net Worth and Earnings

 

Taraji P. Henson’s got the Midas touch when it comes to money! From her humble beginnings to her Hollywood stardom, she’s proven that brilliance, perseverance, and a savvy business sense can lead to a hefty bank account. With a net worth ranging from $25 million to $30 million, she’s not just a talented actress but also a smart investor.

 

Growing up, Taraji juggled various jobs to put herself through acting school. But her hard work paid off big time! Her breakout roles in TV shows like “Sister, Sister” and “Smart Guy” set the stage for her skyrocketing career. And let’s not forget her unforgettable performances in movies like “Hustle & Flow” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”

 

But it wasn’t just her acting chops that brought in the big bucks. Taraji’s portrayal of Cookie Lyon in the hit series “Empire” earned her a hefty paycheck of $175,000 per episode. With over 100 episodes under her belt, you do the math – that’s some serious cash!

 

And Taraji isn’t just spending her dough on fancy cars and designer clothes. Nope, she’s all about that real estate game! With properties in Maryland and Los Angeles, including a swanky estate overlooking Hollywood, she’s not just securing her future but also making some smart investments along the way.

 

But it’s not all about the money for Taraji. She’s using her wealth to make a difference, especially in the realm of mental health awareness. Through the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, named after her late father, she’s working to break the stigma surrounding mental health in the African American community.

 

Taraji P Henson – Height

Taraji P. Henson stands at a height of 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm). When compared to some of her peers in Hollywood, she is of similar height to actresses like Viola Davis, Kerry Washington, and Regina King, who also stand around 5 feet 5 inches tall.

 

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Attribute	Details
Full Name	Taraji Penda Henson
Date of Birth	September 11, 1970
Birthplace	Southeast Washington, D.C., USA
Ethnicity	African American
Name Meaning	Taraji means “hope” and Penda means “love” in Swahili
Education	– Attended Oxon Hill High School in Maryland
	– Studied drama at Howard University
Career	– Acted in numerous films and TV shows
	– Notable roles in “Hustle & Flow” and “Empire”
	– Nominated for an Academy Award for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
	– Won a Golden Globe for her role in “Empire”
	– Published a bestselling book, “Around the Way Girl”
Philanthropy	– Supports the fight against HIV/AIDS through MAC Cosmetics
	– Founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to promote mental health awareness in the African American community
	– Advocate for animal rights and vegan lifestyle
Personal Life	– Mother to her son Marcell
	– Engaged to former NFL player Kelvin Hayden, but later called off the engagement
	– Open about her experiences with racial profiling and police interactions
	– Strong advocate for mental health awareness
Net Worth	Estimated to be between $25 million to $30 million
Height	5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
Awards	– Golden Globe Award
	– Primetime Emmy Award nominations
	– Academy Award nomination
	– Critics’ Choice Television Award
	– Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

 

Rare Trivia about Taraji P Henson

Here are some rare trivia facts about Taraji P. Henson:

1. Engineering Beginnings: Before pursuing acting, Henson studied electrical engineering at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
2. Classmate Connection: She attended Howard University with Anthony Anderson, her co-star in “Hustle & Flow.”
3. Hidden Talent: Henson is a classically trained singer and showcased her singing abilities in the film “Hustle & Flow.”
4. Author: She wrote an autobiography titled “Around the Way Girl,” sharing her life story and career journey.
5. Animal Lover: Henson is a passionate advocate for animal rights and has worked with PETA on various campaigns.
6. Muppet Fan: Henson has a deep love for the Muppets and even named her production company TPH Entertainment, after her favorite Muppet, Miss Piggy.
7. Early Career: One of her first jobs was as a secretary at The Pentagon while she was attending Howard University.
8. Scholarship Support: Henson has established a scholarship fund at her alma mater, Howard University, to support students majoring in theatre arts.
9. Soap Opera Debut: Her first television role was on the soap opera “The Bold and the Beautiful” in 1994.
10. Mental Health Advocate: Henson founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in honor of her late father to promote mental health awareness and provide support for African-Americans.