Taraji P. Henson: Profile & Career Highlights

Taraji P. Henson, the powerhouse of talent, activism, and entrepreneurship—a Hollywood icon known for her magnetic on-screen presence and impactful off-screen advocacy.

Taraji P. Henson: Profile & Career Highlights

Full Name: Taraji Penda Henson
Born: September 11, 1970 — Washington, D.C.
Education:

• Began studying electrical engineering at North Carolina A&T
• Transferred to Howard University and earned a BFA in Drama in 1995

Breakout Roles

• Early appearances included Baby Boy (2001), Hustle & Flow (2005), and her Academy Award-nominated performance in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
• Captivated audiences as Katherine Johnson in Hidden Figures (2016), earning ensemble awards from SAG, NAACP Image Awards, and the National Board of Review
• Became a cultural force as Cookie Lyon in Empire (2015–2020), winning a Golden Globe and receiving Emmy nominations

On-Screen & Stage Mastery

• Starred in Tyler Perry’s Netflix drama Straw (2025)—a gripping psychological thriller that became Netflix’s most-watched debut of the year (48.9 million views)
• Making her Broadway debut in the revival of August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (Spring 2026), portraying Bertha Holly alongside Cedric the Entertainer

Advocacy & Entrepreneurship

• Founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (2018) to combat mental health stigma and increase access to therapy in Black communities
• Authored the bestselling memoir Around the Way Girl (2016) and a #1 children’s book You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!) in 2024
• Co-founded TPH by Taraji, an inclusive spa-inspired skincare brand, and currently serves as a creative advisor for a Moscato wine label—expanding her footprint across beauty and wellness

Speaking Her Truth

• Openly discussed pay inequity in Hollywood, shedding light on systemic racial and gender disparity during a marked interview in Time magazine (2024)
• Recently made headlines at the BET Awards by urging audiences to stay informed about Project 2025, calling the issue “not a game”
• Gave empowering guidance to Megan Thee Stallion at a notable gala: “ignore the noise, keep doing her, and don’t take no s-t.”

Quick Snapshot