Taraji P. Henson
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Birthday: 1970-09-11
    • Born Place: Washington, D.C., USA
  • Also Known As:

    Taraji Penda Henson, Taraji Henson, 타라지 P. 헨슨, タラジ・P・ヘンソン , טאראג'י פ. הנסון, טראג'י פנדה הנסון, 塔拉吉·P·漢森, تاراجی پی. هنسون

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji Penda Henson is an acclaimed American actress, producer, and mental health advocate, born on September 11, 1970, in Washington, D.C. After initially pursuing electrical engineering at North Carolina A&T State University, she transitioned to Howard University, where she earned a degree in theater arts in 1995. During her studies, she worked multiple jobs, including as a secretary at the Pentagon and as a singing/dancing waitress, all while raising her infant son.Henson's career began with guest appearances in television shows before her breakthrough film role in John Singleton's "Baby Boy" (2001). She garnered widespread critical attention and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her powerful portrayal of Queenie in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (2008). Other notable film performances include "Hustle & Flow" (2005), "Talk to Me" (2007), "The Family That Preys" (2008), "The Karate Kid" (2010), "Think Like a Man" (2012), "No Good Deed" (2014), and her critically acclaimed role as Katherine Johnson in "Hidden Figures" (2016). More recently, she appeared in "The Color Purple" (2023).On television, Henson is perhaps best known for her iconic portrayal of Loretha "Cookie" Lyon in the Fox drama series "Empire" (2015–2020), a role that earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama, among numerous other accolades. She also had significant roles in "The Division" (2002–2004), "Boston Legal" (2007–2008), and "Person of Interest" (2011–2013).Beyond her acting, Taraji P. Henson is a dedicated advocate for mental health awareness within the Black community, having founded The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in honor of her father, which works to destigmatize mental illness. Her commitment to her craft, versatility across genres, and passionate advocacy have made her a revered figure in Hollywood. She is starring as the lead, Janiyah Wiltkinson, in Tyler Perry's latest film, "STRAW" (2025), which premiered on Netflix on June 6, 2025.

Person History