Taraji Penda Henson was born on September 11, 1970, in Washington, D.C. Her name, Taraji, means “hope” and her middle name, Penda, means “love” in Swahili. Her parents, Boris Lawrence Henson, a metal fabricator, and Bernice Gordon, a corporate manager, divorced when she was just two years old. She is related to the famed explorer Matthew Henson. Henson attended Oxon Hill High School in Maryland after failing to gain admission to the Duke Ellington School for the Arts.
Initially, Henson pursued a degree in electrical engineering at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. However, after struggling with pre-calculus, she transferred to Howard University to study theater. To support herself, she worked two jobs: as a secretary at the Pentagon and as a cruise-ship entertainer. She graduated in 1995 with a degree in fine arts.
Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
Henson’s acting career began with guest roles on television shows such as “The Parent ‘Hood” (1997), “Sister, Sister” (1997), “ER” (1998), “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (2006), and “Boston Legal” (2007-2008). Her film debut came in 1998 with “Streetwise,” followed by a role in “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle” (2000).
Her breakthrough role was in the 2001 film “Baby Boy,” where she played Yvette, a performance that earned her a Best Actress nomination at the Black Movie Awards. In 2005, she portrayed Shug in “Hustle & Flow,” receiving critical acclaim and several award nominations. She also performed the song “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp,” which won an Academy Award.
Rise to Fame
Henson’s career continued to soar with roles in films such as “Smokin’ Aces” (2006), “Talk to Me” (2007), and the critically acclaimed “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008), where she starred alongside Brad Pitt and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
From 2011 to 2013, she starred as Detective Jocelyn “Joss” Carter in the television series “Person of Interest.” In 2012, she appeared in “Think Like a Man,” reprising her role in the 2014 sequel “Think Like a Man Too.”
Empire and Mainstream Success
In 2015, Henson landed the role of Cookie Lyon in the Fox musical drama series “Empire.” Her performance garnered widespread acclaim, earning her a Golden Globe Award and making her the first African-American woman to win the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series. She was also nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
Recent Work and Achievements
Henson has continued to showcase her versatility with roles in films like “Hidden Figures” (2016), for which she won several awards, including the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Other notable films include “Proud Mary” (2018), “Acrimony” (2018), and “The Best of Enemies” (2019).
In 2021, she starred in “The Color Purple,” a role that earned her a nomination for the Critics’ Choice Movie Award. Henson has also been involved in various projects as a producer and host, including the BET Awards in 2024.
Net Worth in 2024
As of 2024, Taraji P. Henson’s estimated net worth is approximately $12 million. This impressive sum is the result of her extensive acting career, lucrative endorsements, and successful business ventures, including her autobiography “Around the Way Girl” and the “Taraji P. Henson Makeup Collection.”
Philanthropy and Advocacy
Beyond her acting career, Henson is a dedicated philanthropist and mental health advocate. She founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in honor of her father to provide support for mental health issues in the African-American community.
Taraji P. Henson’s journey from a struggling student to a celebrated actress and influential figure is a testament to her talent, resilience, and determination. Her diverse body of work and numerous accolades highlight her significant contributions to the entertainment industry, making her a role model for aspiring actors and actresses around the world.
