Happy Birthday, Taraji P. Henson! Her Life in Film

Look at this stellar actor's career in front of the camera.

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The legendary Taraji P. Henson turns 53 today and we are taking a look back at her legendary career. For over two decades, she has been wowing us with her incredible acting chops and ambition. Happy birthday to Taraji and here is her life in film.

Photo By Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images

Baby Boy (2001) - Taraji P. Henson is one of the most versatile actors to grace the big and small screens. Drama, comedy, romance — the sexy 43-year-old can do it all. Henson is poised to have her biggest year ever with the upcoming sequel to Think Like a Man and a leading role in Lee Daniels' television drama Empire. We take a look back on her life in film...  A fresh face to the Hollywood scene, Henson got her break on the big screen in John Singleton’s Baby Boy.(Photo: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures)

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Baby Boy (2001) - A fresh face to the Hollywood scene, Henson got her break on the big screen in John Singleton’s Baby Boy. (Photo: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures)

Hustle & Flow (2005) - Henson’s performance as Shug in Hustle & Flow was a breakthrough for the actress. She also made her singing debut on Three 6 Mafia's “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp,” which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2006.(Photo: Courtesy of Crunk Pictures)

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Hustle & Flow (2005) - Henson’s performance as Shug in Hustle & Flow was a breakthrough for the actress. She also made her singing debut on Three 6 Mafia's “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp,” which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2006. (Photo: Courtesy of Crunk Pictures)

Smokin' Aces (2006) - In the star-studded Smokin’ Aces, Henson played hitwoman Sharice Watters and special “friend” of Alicia Keys' character.  (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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Smokin' Aces (2006) - In the star-studded Smokin’ Aces, Henson played hitwoman Sharice Watters and special “friend” of Alicia Keys' character. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) - Nominated for five Golden Globes, Henson played Brad Pitt's adoptive mother Queenie in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Henson received an Oscar nomination for her performance as the aging mother.(Photo: Courtesy of Warner Bros.)

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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) - Nominated for five Golden Globes, Henson played Brad Pitt's adoptive mother Queenie in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Henson received an Oscar nomination for her performance as the aging mother. (Photo: Courtesy of Warner Bros.)

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The Family That Preys (2008) - Between television stints on Boston Legal and Eli Stone, Henson found time to be a part of Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys. Henson played Pam, sister of Sanaa Lathan’s character.(Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate)

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The Family That Preys (2008) - Between television stints on Boston Legal and Eli Stone, Henson found time to be a part of Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys. Henson played Pam, sister of Sanaa Lathan’s character. (Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate)

I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009) - Henson let her bad girl out as April in Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself. The cast also included Mary J. Blige, Adam Rodriguez, and Gladys Kinight.  (Photo credit: Quantrell Colbert)

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I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009) - Henson let her bad girl out as April in Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself. The cast also included Mary J. Blige, Adam Rodriguez, and Gladys Kinight. (Photo credit: Quantrell Colbert)

The Karate Kid (2010) - Henson supported Will Smith's son Jaden Smith in the young star's film debut in the blockbuster The Karate Kid. A sequel is already in the works.(Photo: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures)

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The Karate Kid (2010) - Henson supported Will Smith's son Jaden Smith in the young star's film debut in the blockbuster The Karate Kid. (Photo: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

Once Fallen (2010) - In the 2010, Taraji played Pearl in this crime saga about a family struggling to stay together. The cast also included Brian Presley and Ed Harris.(Photo: Courtesy of Freedom Films)

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Once Fallen (2010) - In the 2010, Taraji played Pearl in this crime saga about a family struggling to stay together. The cast also included Brian Presley and Ed Harris. (Photo: Courtesy of Freedom Films)

Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story (2011) - Henson plays a mother in this fact-based television drama, about a nightmarish struggle to retrieve her 7-year-old son, whisked out of her life by her ex-husband when he abducted the boy and took him back to his native South Korea.(Photo: Courtesy of Front Street Pictures)

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Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story (2011) - Henson plays a mother in this fact-based television drama, about a nightmarish struggle to retrieve her 7-year-old son, whisked out of her life by her ex-husband when he abducted the boy and took him back to his native South Korea. (Photo: Courtesy of Front Street Pictures)

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Think Like a Man (2012) - Henson played corporate climber Lauren in this hilarious box office smash, about couple's navigating dating and romance acccording to Steve Harvey's best-selling advice book. The lucky lady got to be wooed by Michael Ealy in the film.(Photo: Courtesy of Screen Gems)

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Think Like a Man (2012) - Henson played corporate climber Lauren in this hilarious box office smash, about couple's navigating dating and romance according to Steve Harvey's best-selling advice book. The lucky lady got to be wooed by Michael Ealy in the film. (Photo: Courtesy of Screen Gems)

Think Like a Man Too (2014) - Henson reprises her role as corporate honcho Lauren in the sequel to this 2012 hit. We can't wait to find out if her character's relationship with aspiring chef Dominic (Ealy) worked out!(Photo: Courtesy of Screen Gems)

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Think Like a Man Too (2014) - Henson reprised her role as corporate honcho Lauren in the sequel to this 2012 hit. (Photo: Courtesy of Screen Gems)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy of Screen Gems

HIDDEN FIGURES

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Hidden Figures (2016) - Hidden Figures was the historical drama about three Black women mathematicians. Taraji P. Henson played Katherine Johnson, Octavia Spencer portrayed Dorothy Vaughan, and Janelle Monáe took on the role of Mary Jackson. It was another iconic film for Henson.

Photo By Photo Credit: Hopper Stone,Photo Credit: Hopper Stone

Taraji P. Henson - The Empire actress may have missed her chance to make Emmys history last year, but 2016 is all about Cookie Lyon. Henson won her first Golden Globe Award this year for her role on the hit Fox show, and in her touching acceptance speech, she said the win was 20 years in the making. 

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Empire (2015 - 2020) - Henson as Cookie Lyon was unforgettable for six seasons. In 2016, she won a Golden Globe for best actress in a dramatic series. Henson as Cookie is one of the greatest characters in television.

54th NAACP Image Awards | Nominee Abbott Elementary | 1080x1080

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Abbott Elementary (2023) - This year, Henson made her return television in the hit TV series Abbott Elementary. She played Vanetta, the mother of Quinta Brunson's character -- we look forward to her walking the halls of Abbott Elementary in future episodes! Happy birthday, Taraji!