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Taraji P. Henson
Also known as Taraji Penda Henson
Career
Active 1997 – present
Biography
About Taraji P. Henson
Taraji Penda Henson, born September 11, 1970, in Washington, D.C., is an American actress who has built a remarkable career across film and television. She first gained attention in the 2001 film Baby Boy, then earned critical acclaim for her roles in Hustle & Flow (2005) and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008). The latter brought her Academy Award, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award nominations. Her television work includes series like Person of Interest and Empire, where she played Cookie Lyon, winning a Golden Globe and becoming the first African-American woman to win a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series. She also received Emmy nominations for her role.
In 2016, Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world. That year she released a memoir, Around the Way Girl, and starred in Hidden Figures, which earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award as part of the cast. Her early career included guest roles and a nomination for an Emmy for Taken from Me. She has been active in Hollywood since 1997, working as an actress, director, and producer. Her height is 5'5" and she has a slim build with natural 34D breasts. She is straight and maintains an Instagram following of over 21 million, ranking high among celebrity accounts.
Her name carries deep meaning; Taraji means "hope" and Penda means "love" in Swahili. A mitochondrial DNA analysis traced her matrilineal lineage to the Masa people of Cameroon. She continues to be a prominent figure in entertainment.
Record
Profile details
Personal
- Years Active
- 1997-present (started around 26 years old; 29 years active)
- Birthplace
- Washington, D.C., United States
- Ethnicity
- Black
- Sexuality
- Straight
Body
- Hair Color
- Black
- Eye Color
- Brown
- Weight
- 132 lbs (or 60 kg)
- Measurements
- 38–24–37 (B–W–H) · WHR 0.65
- Bra/Cup Size
- 34D show conversions - UK: 34D, EU: 75D, AU: 12D, JP: 75D
- Boobs
- Real/Natural
- Tattoos
- Various
Performances
- Solo
- Nudity (Topless Only)
Extra
- Instagram Followers
- 21.6m (as of June 2026)
Frequently asked
What does her first and middle name mean?
Taraji and Penda are of Swahili origin, meaning 'hope' and 'love' respectively.
What is her connection to Cameroon?
According to a mitochondrial DNA analysis, her matrilineal lineage traces back to the Masa people of Cameroon.
How many followers does she have on Instagram?
She has over 21 million followers, ranking high on lists of popular celebrity Instagram accounts.
Which film earned her an Academy Award nomination?
Her performance in 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' (2008) earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Did you know
- Her name combines two Swahili words: Taraji (hope) and Penda (love).
- Her matrilineal DNA traces to the Masa people of Cameroon.
- She has over 21 million Instagram followers, placing her among the top celebrity accounts.
- She has won a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her work.
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