Taraji P. Henson
A force of nature who brings volcanic emotion and sharp wit to every role, reshaping Hollywood's vision of a leading lady.
Born 1970 (age 56)·American actress·Birthday: September 11·Generation X
Biography
Taraji P. Henson didn't just arrive in Hollywood; she seized it by the throat. After studying acting at Howard University and taking bit parts, her breakthrough came with a raw, heart-wrenching performance in 'Baby Boy.' She then proved her formidable range, moving from the devoted mother in 'Hustle & Flow' to the brilliant, troubled mathematician in 'Hidden Figures.' But it was her turn as the outrageous, loyal, and fashion-forward Cookie Lyon on the TV series 'Empire' that made her a global icon, a character she infused with such humanity that she dominated the cultural conversation. Henson commands the screen with a rare combination of powerhouse dramatic chops and impeccable comic timing, all delivered with a disarming authenticity. Off-screen, she is a vocal advocate for mental health awareness, particularly within the Black community, and has used her platform to speak candidly about pay inequality in the industry, fighting to ensure the door stays open for those who follow.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Taraji was born in 1970, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Taraji Was Born
The biggest hits of 1970
#1 Movie
Love Story
Best Picture
Patton
#1 TV Show
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Taraji's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1970Born
First Earth Day; The Beatles break up
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $17,000Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Bridge over Troubled Water" — Simon & GarfunkelBest Picture: Patton
1975Started school
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1983Became a teenager
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1986Could drive
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1988Could vote
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1991Turned 21
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
2000Turned 30
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2010Turned 40
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 50
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 56 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Queenie in 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.'
- Won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her iconic portrayal of Cookie Lyon on the television series 'Empire.'
- Starred in the critically and commercially successful film 'Hidden Figures,' which was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.
- Founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, named for her father, to provide mental health support and resources in the African American community.
Did You Know?
She worked as a secretary on the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command and as a singing-dancing waitress on a cruise ship to pay for college.
The 'P.' in her name stands for Penda.
She initially auditioned for the role of Yvette in 'Baby Boy' but was so compelling she was cast in the larger role of Yvette's friend, Jody.
“I don't have to be humble. I'm confident in what I do. There's a difference.”
