Taraji Penda Henson was born on September 11, 1970 in Washington, DC., USA, and is one of the most popular actresses on an international scale. She landed roles in the films ‘Hustle & Flow’ (2005), ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ (2008), ‘Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story’ (2011) among many others, so Taraji is considered to be one of the most successful actresses of her generation.
How rich is Taraji P. Henson? Taraji’s net worth has been estimated by authoritative sources to be $20 million, as of early 2017. A huge part of Henson’s net worth comes from acting, however, she is also known as a singer which has added extra revenue to her bank account since her debut in the early ‘90s.
Taraji P. Henson Net Worth $18 Million
Henson matriculated from Oxon Hill High School, Maryland in 1988, then attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University studying electrical engineering, before transferring to Howard University and studying drama. Among other jobs taken to pay her way, she did variety shows on dinner-cruise ships, and worked as a secretary at The Pentagon.
Taraji P. Henson began her career as an actress with small roles on television, showing up in episodes of series including ‘Sister, Sister’ and ‘ER’ among others in the late ‘90s. She appeared in the main cast of the series’ ‘The Division’ from 2002 to 2004, created by Deborah Joy LeVine, and ‘Boston Legal’ in 2007 and 08, created by David E. Kelley. Taraji then landed the main role in the crime drama series ‘Person of Interest’ from 201 to 2013 created by Jonathan Nolan, and currently is playing in the new drama series ‘Empire’ created by Lee Daniels, due for release in 2017 wherein Henson also has the lead role.
In 2000, Taraji debuted on the big screen with a small role in the comedy film ‘The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle’ created by Des McAnuff. The first critics acclaim she received was a year later for her role of Yvette in the film ‘Baby Boy’, produced, written and directed by John Singleton, for which she was nominated for a Black Reel Award for Best Actress. Moreover, Henson’s role in the film ‘Hustle & Flow’ in 2005, directed by Craig Brewer, was even more successful as she was nominated for nine awards, three of which she won – BET, Black Reel, and Black Movie Awards, so Taraji was proving to be a successful actress with both critics and audiences.
During the decade Taraji was nominated for her roles in the films ‘Four Brothers’ directed by John Singleton, and ‘Talk To Me’ directed by Kasi Lemmons, after which, Henson landed the most successful role in her career which brought her thirteen award nominations among including for an Oscar, and three she won; the role of Queenie in the film ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ in 2008 directed by David Fincher was obviously very successful and further increased Taraji P. Henson’s popularity . Other films which have also brought her nominations and awards, critical acclaim and financial success were ‘I Can Do Bad All by Myself’, written, produced and directed by Tyler Perry and ‘Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story’ directed by Gary Harvey.
Taraji has now appeared in almost 40 films and over 20 TV titles.
In private life, Taraji P. Henson is a single mother, with a son born in 1994 from her high school relationship with Ray William Johnson.
BET Awards, Black Reel Awards for Best Supporting Actress (2006), NAACP Image Awards (2010), Critics' Choice Television Awards (2015), Golden Globe Awards, Shorty Awards for Best Actress (2016)
Albums
Unexpected Dreams: Songs From the Stars (2006,Various Artists), Marcus (2008, Marcus Miller), Hustle & Flow (2005, V/A Compilation)
Nominations
Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (2015), Teen Choice Awards, Screen Actors Guild, Satellite Awards
Movies
"Baby Boy" (2002), "Hustle & Flow" (2006), "Four Brothers" (2006), "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (2010), "Talk to Me" (2008)
TV Shows
‘Sister, Sister’ (1997), ‘ER’ (1998), ‘Empire’, ‘The Division’ (2002 – 2004), ‘Boston Legal’ (2007-2008), ‘Person of Interest’ (2011-2013),"Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story" (2011)
With TV, you get on a show and you're there for 11 years playing the same character. I would pull my hair out. Yes, the money is good. But I'm really not in this business to chase dollars.
2
I would love to do a biopic of a famous singer, like Diana Ross or Donna Summer, or an old jazz story that we haven't seen before. I would love to do that! I would love to play Diana Ross 'cause she's an icon. I'm salivating to do that.
3
I don't think a living being should suffer for the sake of fashion, period. End of story. You don't have to kill an animal just because you want to be hot and fly. And I really stand by that.
4
When I come home, it's about my kid, who needs to eat, needs to do homework, and needs to get to basketball. I don't have a lot of time to think about me.
5
With TV, the pace is so fast, the scripts are coming at you, the directors are firing things at you, it's breathtaking.
6
Something happens to a woman when she can't reproduce. I've not had to walk that path, but I can only imagine when your organs don't work and how that could make you feel.
7
Well, for one, I don't judge my characters.
8
Most men are fragile.
9
Oftentimes, when you have a huge studio film and you have big names attached, they like to keep attaching big names.
10
The best thing about being in New York is the people, and you get to walk everywhere.
11
Singing is something I can do, but it's not my first passion.
12
I'm not interested in disposable music.
13
I'm not a selfish actor. I believe that it's a team effort. You're not in a scene by yourself.
14
I've been doing a lot of drama, but I feel like comedy is my strength.
15
If I were to meet the most incredible man, and he just so happened to not make as much money as I do, I wouldn't hold it against him.
16
I'm always interested in challenging myself and pushing and seeing how far I can go.
17
I'm a character actor.
18
I love the art of acting, so I don't care if I'm in a movie with 10 people, two people, or by myself. I just really enjoy it.
19
I love New York. Love it.
20
I prefer doing feature films.
21
I'm always confident when I sign up for a project that it's going to be good. That's why I sign up for it.
22
I love children.
23
I just like when I work with people that are professional and good.
24
Acting for me is very therapeutic. It's my shrink.
25
I don't care if you're a man, if you're a player: If God sends you that one and your heart is in it, you'll work it out.
26
I like to be home with my son, kickin' it and watching ESPN, a very normal life. I like to take him to school every day, watch his games.
27
I'm really silly. That's the thing that people don't get.
28
I don't ever want to feel complacent.
29
I don't ever want to get boxed in, playing the same characters, over and over again. That's why I prefer features over television.
30
I like to disappear in my roles because I don't have an assistant.
31
A lot of times characters are combinations of people I come across in life. I people-watch a lot.
32
Date a woman with children only if you are ready to man up, because it's a position that comes with responsibility.
33
I'm a creative person, so I have to stay busy.
34
I'm nothing without God.
35
I feel like we all have our skeletons.
36
I would love to play a superhero. I wish I could be in 'The Avengers,' kicking butt.
37
A woman is gentle, soft, delicate, and a man's position is to protect her, help her up stairs, make sure she's in the car safely first. Take good care of your woman, and the sky's the limit!
38
It's up to you to be responsible for how you feel if you're not happy. Your happiness lies in your hands. You can't rely on a man to make you happy or complete you. That starts with you.
39
I don't harp on the negative because if you do, then there's no progression. There's no forward movement. You got to always look on the bright side of things, and we are in control. Like, you have control over the choices you make.
40
When I meet a person and that chemistry is there, I cannot hide the electricity. I need to learn more about him, and once I feel safe, I'm gone, I'm in love, and I give it my all!
41
I'm always the cousin that can't make it to the family functions because I'm busy.
42
Love is the greatest gift that God has given us. It's free.
43
At the end of the day, I stand by who I am. I'm a good person.
44
Humans have a light side and a dark side, and it's up to us to choose which way we're going to live our lives. Even if you start out on the dark side, it doesn't mean you have to continue your journey that way. You always have time to turn it around.
45
Every human walks around with a certain kind of sadness. They may not wear it on their sleeves, but it's there if you look deep.
46
Once you're a mom, always a mom. It's like riding a bike, you never forget.
Claimed in an interview with Uptown magazine that her son Marcel Johnson was racially profiled when his car was stopped by police in Glendale and that police searched his car illegally. However, the dashcam video of the incident revealed that Johnson drove through a lighted crosswalk as a person walked across and that he was in possession of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia, which a police officer found after smelling marijuana smoke in the car and Johnson consented and allowed the officer to search his car. After the video surfaced, she apologized via Instagram for her statements. She was apparently misinformed about the incident by her son. [March 2015]
3
Living in Glendale, California with her son, Marcel. [2005]
4
She is an only child.
5
Her first and middle names are Swahili for "hope" and "love," respectively.
6
Contrary to previously published accounts, Taraji is a relative, not a descendant, of North Pole explorer Matthew Henson.
7
The father of her only son died unexpectedly in 1997.
8
Henson first attended North Carolina Agric & Tech, where she attempted to study electrical engineering. She failed precalculus, so she transferred to Howard University. To pay for Howard, she worked two jobs: in the morning, as a secretary at the Pentagon; at night, as a singing and dancing waitress on a dinner cruise ship. She graduated from Howard University in 1995.
9
She was born and raised in Washington, D.C., and attended Oxon Hill High School in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
10
Has a son named Marcel (born in May 1994).
11
Voted one of "The 10 Sexiest Women of 2001" by the readers of Black Men Magazine.
Herself - Presenter: Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special / Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie and Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Lip Sync Battle
2015
TV Series
Herself - Competitor
Close Up with the Hollywood Reporter
2015
TV Series
Herself
Guys Choice Awards 2015
2015
TV Movie
Herself - Host
The 5th Annual Critics' Choice Television Awards
2015
TV Special
Herself
2015 Billboard Music Awards
2015
TV Special
Herself - Presenter
Saturday Night Live
2015
TV Series
Herself - Host / Nicki Minaj / Tamara Sanz / ...
IHeartRadio Music Awards
2015
TV Special
Herself
Unsung Hollywood
2015
TV Series documentary
Herself
The Talk
2011-2015
TV Series
Herself
The 46th Annual NAACP Image Awards
2015
TV Special
Herself - Presenter
The Wendy Williams Show
2011-2015
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Pitbull's New Year's Revolution
2014
TV Movie
Herself
Made in Hollywood
2011-2014
TV Series
Herself
Reel Junkie
2014
TV Series
Herself
Up Close with Carrie Keagan
2007-2014
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The Arsenio Hall Show
2014
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Hollywood Game Night
2014
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The Queen Latifah Show
2013
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Late Show with David Letterman
2013
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The 365Black Awards
2013
TV Special
Herself - Host
Backstage Baby
2013
Documentary short
Herself
Picasso Baby: A Performance Art Film
2013
TV Movie documentary
Herself - Actor
Fashion News Live
2010-2013
TV Series
Herself
BET Awards 2013
2013
TV Special
Herself
I Love Black Movies
2013
TV Series
Herself - interviewee
We Will Always Love You: A Grammy Salute to Whitney Houston
2012
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Huff Post's BV 365
2012
TV Series
Herself
Black Girls Rock! 2012
2012
TV Movie
Herself
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
2009-2012
TV Series
Herself - Guest
BET Awards 2012
2012
TV Special
Herself
43rd NAACP Image Awards
2012
TV Special
Herself
The 54th Annual Grammy Awards
2012
TV Special
Herself
Rachael Ray
2012
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Mama & Me
2011
Documentary
Herself
Black Girls Rock! 2011
2011
TV Movie
Herself
The 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards
2011
TV Special
Herself - Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie & Performer
Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain
2011
Documentary
Taraji
BET Awards 2011
2011
TV Special
Herself
Bowl of Dreams
2011
Documentary
Herself
An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Chaka Khan
2011
TV Movie
Herself
Chelsea Lately
2010-2011
TV Series
Herself - Guest
2010 Soul Train Awards
2010
TV Special
Herself - Host
The Mo'Nique Show
2009-2010
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Date Night: Disaster Dates
2010
Video short
Herself
BET Awards 2010
2010
TV Special
Herself
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
2010
TV Series
Herself - Guest
2010 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: The Dirty South
2010
TV Special
Herself - Presenter
KTLA Morning News
2010
TV Series
Herself
25th Film Independent Spirit Awards
2010
TV Special
Herself
41st NAACP Image Awards
2010
TV Special
Herself
The BET Honors
2010
TV Special
Herself
The 36th Annual People's Choice Awards
2010
TV Special
Herself
Shooting Star(s): The Rise of Hip Hop Photographer Johnny Nunez
2009
Documentary
Herself
2009 Soul Train Awards
2009
TV Special
Herself - Host
BET Awards 2009
2009
TV Special
Herself
The 2009 Independent Spirit Awards
2009
TV Special
Herself
2009 MTV Movie Awards
2009
TV Special
Herself
Straight from the Horses Mouth
2009
Video
Herself
The Curious Birth of Benjamin Button
2009
Video documentary
Herself
Star Movies: Live from the Red Carpet
2009
TV Movie
Herself
La noche de los Oscar
2009
TV Movie
Herself
The 81st Annual Academy Awards
2009
TV Special
Herself - Nominee: Best Actress in a Supporting Role
The 40th NAACP Image Awards
2009
TV Special
Herself
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
2009
TV Series
Herself - Guest
15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards
2009
TV Special
Herself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
2009
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Tavis Smiley
2008
TV Series
Herself - Guest
39th NAACP Image Awards
2008
TV Special
Herself
An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Smokey Robinson
2008
TV Movie
Herself
37th NAACP Image Awards
2006
TV Special
Herself
The 10th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards
2005
TV Special
Herself
The 3rd Annual Vibe Awards
2005
TV Special
Herself
Young Hollywood Awards
2005
TV Special
Herself
4th Annual BET Awards
2004
TV Special
Herself
The 18th Annual Soul Train Music Awards
2004
TV Special
Herself
The Drop
2004
TV Series
Herself
The Test
2001
TV Series
Herself - Panelist
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Entertainment Tonight
2015-2016
TV Series
Herself / Herself - Author, Around the Way Girl
Extra
2015-2016
TV Series
Herself
The Insider
2016
TV Series
Herself
Fox and Friends
2016
TV Series
Herself
Inside Edition
2015
TV Series documentary
Herself / Herself - Hostess, Live with Kelly & Michael
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2016
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama
Empire (2015)
2016
BET Award
BET Awards
Best Actress
Empire (2015)
2016
Dorian Award
Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association (GALECA)
TV Performance of the Year - Actress
Empire (2015)
2016
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Empire (2015)
2015
OFTA Television Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Actress in a Drama Series
Empire (2015)
2015
BET Award
BET Awards
Best Actress
No Good Deed (2014)
2015
Critics' Choice TV Award
Critics Choice Television Awards
Best Actress in a Drama Series
Empire (2015)
2015
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
No Good Deed (2014)
2015
Entertainer of the Year Award
Image Awards
2014
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Person of Interest (2011)
2012
Black Reel
Black Reel Awards
Outstanding Television or Mini-Series Performance, Female
Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story (2011)
2012
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story (2011)
2011
BET Award
BET Awards
Best Actress
The Karate Kid (2010)
2010
CinEuphoria
CinEuphoria Awards
Best Supporting Actress - International Competition
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
2009
BET Award
BET Awards
Best Actress
Not Easily Broken (2009)
2009
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
2008
Austin Film Critics Award
Austin Film Critics Association
Best Supporting Actress
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
2007
Gotham Independent Film Award
Gotham Awards
Best Ensemble Performance
Talk to Me (2007)
2006
BET Award
BET Awards
Best Actress
Hustle & Flow (2005)
2006
Black Reel
Black Reel Awards
Best Supporting Actress
Hustle & Flow (2005)
2005
Black Movie Award
Black Movie Awards
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Hustle & Flow (2005)
2001
Special Mention
Locarno International Film Festival
Baby Boy (2001)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2016
OFTA Television Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Actress in a Drama Series
Empire (2015)
2016
Teen Choice Award
Teen Choice Awards
Choice TV Actress: Drama
Empire (2015)
2016
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Empire (2015)
2016
Critics' Choice TV Award
Critics Choice Television Awards
Best Actress in a Drama Series
Empire (2015)
2015
Satellite Award
Satellite Awards
Best Actress in a Series, Drama
Empire (2015)
2015
Teen Choice Award
Teen Choice Awards
Choice TV Actress: Drama
Empire (2015)
2015
Teen Choice Award
Teen Choice Awards
Choice TV: Chemistry
Empire (2015)
2015
TCA Award
Television Critics Association Awards
Individual Achievement in Drama
Empire (2015)
2015
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Empire (2015)
2015
Gold Derby TV Award
Gold Derby Awards
Performer of the Year
2015
Gold Derby TV Award
Gold Derby Awards
Drama Lead Actress
Empire (2015)
2013
BET Award
BET Awards
Best Actress
Person of Interest (2011)
2013
IGN Award
IGN Summer Movie Awards
Best TV Hero
Person of Interest (2011)
2013
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Think Like a Man (2012)
2012
BET Award
BET Awards
Best Actress
Person of Interest (2011)
2012
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Person of Interest (2011)
2011
OFTA Television Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries
Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story (2011)
2011
Satellite Award
Satellite Awards
Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television
Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story (2011)
2011
WIN Award
Women's Image Network Awards
Actress Made For TV Movie / Mini Series
Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story (2011)
2011
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story (2011)
2011
Gold Derby TV Award
Gold Derby Awards
TV Movie/Mini Lead Actress
Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story (2011)
2010
BET Award
BET Awards
Best Actress
I Can Do Bad All by Myself (2009)
2010
Black Reel
Black Reel Awards
Best Actress
I Can Do Bad All by Myself (2009)
2010
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
I Can Do Bad All by Myself (2009)
2009
Actor
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
2009
Actor
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
2009
Actor
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Boston Legal (2004)
2009
Oscar
Academy Awards, USA
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
2009
Critics Choice Award
Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards
Best Supporting Actress
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
2009
Critics Choice Award
Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards
Best Acting Ensemble
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
2009
Gold Derby Award
Gold Derby Awards
Ensemble Cast
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
2009
IOMA
Italian Online Movie Awards (IOMA)
Best Supporting Actress (Miglior attrice non protagonista)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
2009
MTV Movie Award
MTV Movie Awards
Best Female Performance
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
2008
Actor
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Boston Legal (2004)
2008
SLFCA Award
St. Louis Film Critics Association, US
Best Supporting Actress
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
2008
EDA Award
Alliance of Women Film Journalists
Best Supporting Actress
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
2008
ACCA
Awards Circuit Community Awards
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
2008
ACCA
Awards Circuit Community Awards
Best Cast Ensemble
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
2008
Black Reel
Black Reel Awards
Best Supporting Actress
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
2008
DFWFCA Award
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards
Best Supporting Actress
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
2008
HFCS Award
Houston Film Critics Society Awards
Best Supporting Actress
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
2008
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Talk to Me (2007)
2007
Satellite Award
Satellite Awards
Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Drama
Talk to Me (2007)
2007
SLFCA Award
St. Louis Film Critics Association, US
Best Supporting Actress
Talk to Me (2007)
2006
OFTA Film Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Music, Original Song
Hustle & Flow (2005)
2006
Actor
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Hustle & Flow (2005)
2006
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Hustle & Flow (2005)
2006
MTV Movie Award
MTV Movie Awards
Best Breakthrough Performance
Hustle & Flow (2005)
2006
MTV Movie Award
MTV Movie Awards
Best Kiss
Hustle & Flow (2005)
2005
WAFCA Award
Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Awards