Taraji P. Henson is a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. From her breakout role in “Baby Boy” to her unforgettable portrayal of Cookie Lyon in “Empire,” this Golden Globe-winning actress has captivated audiences with her raw talent and undeniable charisma.
But what are the performances that truly define her legacy? Here are 15 of Taraji P. Henson’s most iconic roles that showcase her versatility, power, and ability to steal every scene she’s in.
1. Yvette in “Baby Boy” (2001)
Henson’s breakout role came in the 2001 film “Baby Boy,” where she played Yvette, the girlfriend of the film’s protagonist, Jody. Her performance was raw and honest, showcasing her ability to convey a wide range of emotions with subtlety and nuance.
“Baby Boy” was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $29 million on a budget of just $16 million. Henson’s performance was widely praised, with many critics noting her ability to hold her own against her more experienced co-stars, including Tyrese Gibson.
Her portrayal of Yvette helped to establish her as a rising star in Hollywood and set the stage for her future success.
2. Shug in “Hustle & Flow” (2005)
In “Hustle & Flow,” Henson played Shug, a pregnant prostitute who becomes the love interest of the film’s protagonist, a pimp and aspiring rapper named DJay.
Henson brought a sense of raw emotion and vulnerability to the role, making Shug a deeply sympathetic character despite her profession. Her chemistry with co-star Terrence Howard was electric, and their scenes together were some of the most powerful in the film.
“Hustle & Flow” was a critical darling, winning the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival and earning an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Henson’s performance was singled out for praise. She received an Image Award nomination for Best Actress for her pivotal performance.
3. Queenie in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008)
In “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Henson played Queenie, the loving adoptive mother of the title character, who ages in reverse. Henson brought warmth, compassion, and strength to the role, making Queenie one of the most memorable characters in the film.
Her performance was particularly noteworthy for the way she portrayed Queenie’s unwavering love and support for Benjamin, even as he faced the unique challenges of his condition.
Henson’s performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, making her only the fifth African American actress to be nominated in that category at the time. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $335 million worldwide and winning three Academy Awards.
4. Detective Joss Carter in “Person of Interest” (2011-2013)
In the CBS crime drama “Person of Interest,” Henson played Detective Joss Carter, a tough-as-nails NYPD officer who becomes embroiled in a mysterious conspiracy. Her chemistry with co-stars Jim Caviezel and Michael Emerson was a highlight of the show, and their scenes together were some of the most thrilling and emotionally charged.
Henson’s performance on “Person of Interest” was widely praised, with many critics noting her ability to bring depth and complexity to a role that could have easily been one-dimensional. Her portrayal of Carter helped to make the show a critical and commercial success, and her shocking death in the show’s third season remains one of the most talked-about moments in recent TV history.
She won an NAACP Image Award for her work on the series.
5. Lauren in “Think Like a Man” (2012)
In the romantic comedy “Think Like a Man,” Henson played Lauren, a successful businesswoman navigating the ups and downs of modern dating. Henson gave Lauren a sense of intelligence and wit, making her a relatable and engaging character. Her chemistry with co-star Michael Ealy was a highlight of the film, and their scenes together were both funny and heartfelt.
“Think Like a Man” was a surprise hit, grossing over $96 million on a budget of just $12 million. Henson’s performance was praised by critics, with many noting her ability to bring depth and nuance to a role that could have easily been one-dimensional.
Her portrayal of Lauren helped to make the film a standout in the crowded romantic comedy genre. She reprised the role in the 2014 sequel “Think Like a Man Too”.
6. Cookie Lyon in “Empire” (2015-2020)
Henson’s portrayal of Cookie Lyon in the hit TV series “Empire” was nothing short of iconic. As the fierce and outspoken ex-wife of music mogul Lucious Lyon, Henson brought a level of depth and complexity to the character that made her an instant fan favorite.
From her bold fashion choices to her biting one-liners, Cookie quickly became one of the most memorable characters on television.
Henson’s performance earned her widespread critical acclaim, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Drama Series. She also received Emmy nominations for her work on the show in 2015 and 2016. “Empire” was a massive success, averaging over 10 million viewers per episode during its first season and becoming one of the most-watched shows on television.
Henson’s portrayal of Cookie was a major factor in the show’s popularity, and her performance will undoubtedly go down as one of the most iconic in TV history.
7. Katherine Johnson in “Hidden Figures” (2016)
Henson’s portrayal of NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson in “Hidden Figures” was nothing short of remarkable.
She brought to life the incredible story of a woman who broke barriers and played a crucial role in the space race despite facing racial and gender discrimination. Henson’s performance was both powerful and nuanced, capturing Johnson’s intelligence, resilience, and quiet strength.
The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $236 million worldwide and earning numerous accolades, including three Oscar nominations. Henson’s performance, in particular, was widely praised, with many critics hailing it as one of the best of her career.
Her portrayal of Johnson helped to shed light on the often-overlooked contributions of African American women in STEM fields and inspired a new generation of young girls to pursue their dreams.
8. Melinda in “Acrimony” (2018)
In Tyler Perry’s psychological thriller “Acrimony,” Henson played Melinda, a loyal wife pushed to the brink by her husband’s infidelity and deceit. Henson brought a sense of raw emotion and intensity to the role, making Melinda a complex and sympathetic character despite her increasingly erratic behavior.
Her performance was both chilling and heartbreaking, showcasing her ability to convey a wide range of emotions with subtlety and nuance.
While “Acrimony” received mixed reviews from critics, Henson’s performance was widely praised. Many noted her ability to elevate the material and bring depth to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional.
Her portrayal of Melinda helped to make the film a box office success, grossing over $46 million on a budget of just $20 million.
9. Ali Davis in “What Men Want” (2019)
In the 2019 comedy “What Men Want,” Henson starred as Ali Davis, a successful sports agent who gains the ability to hear men’s thoughts.
Henson brought her signature wit and charisma to the role, infusing Ali with a mix of ambition, vulnerability, and humor. Her comedic timing was spot-on, and she effortlessly carried the film with her engaging performance.
“What Men Want” was a box office success, grossing over $72 million worldwide on a budget of $20 million. Critics praised Henson’s performance, with many noting her ability to bring depth and relatability to a high-concept premise.
Her portrayal of Ali showcased her versatility as an actress and solidified her status as a leading lady in Hollywood.
10. Ann Atwater in “The Best of Enemies” (2019)
In the historical drama “The Best of Enemies,” Henson played Ann Atwater, a civil rights activist who formed an unlikely friendship with a Ku Klux Klan leader during the desegregation of schools in Durham, North Carolina. The sense of strength and conviction she brought out of Ann made the character a powerful and inspiring figure.
Her scenes with co-star Sam Rockwell were particularly memorable, showcasing her ability to convey complex emotions with subtlety and grace.
“The Best of Enemies” received mixed reviews from critics, but Henson’s performance was widely praised. Many noted her ability to bring depth and nuance to a character that could have easily been reduced to a stereotype.
Her portrayal of Atwater helped to make the film a powerful and thought-provoking commentary on race relations in America.
11. Catana Starks in “From the Rough” (2011)
In the sports drama “From the Rough,” Henson portrayed Catana Starks, the real-life coach of the first all-African American men’s golf team at Tennessee State University. Henson’s performance was both powerful and nuanced, showcasing her ability to convey a wide range of emotions with subtlety and grace.
The film was a labor of love for Henson, who also served as an executive producer. While it may not have been a commercial success, “From the Rough” was praised by critics for its inspiring story and strong performances.
Henson’s portrayal of Starks was particularly noteworthy, with many praising her ability to bring the coach’s story to life with honesty and authenticity.
12. Clarice Clark-Johnson in “Not Easily Broken” (2009)
In the romantic drama “Not Easily Broken,” Henson played Clarice Clark-Johnson, a woman struggling to keep her marriage together after a car accident leaves her injured and bitter.
Henson brought a sense of raw emotion and vulnerability to the role, making Clarice a deeply sympathetic and relatable character. Her scenes with co-star Morris Chestnut were particularly powerful, showcasing her ability to convey complex emotions with subtlety and grace.
While “Not Easily Broken” may not have been a commercial success, it was praised by critics for its honest and nuanced portrayal of relationships and faith. Henson’s performance was singled out for praise, with many noting her ability to bring depth and authenticity to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional.
Her portrayal of Clarice helped to make the film a must-see for fans of powerful, character-driven dramas.
13. Mary in “Proud Mary” (2018)
In the action-thriller “Proud Mary,” Henson played Mary, a professional assassin who finds herself at a crossroads when she meets a young boy who awakens her maternal instincts. Her action scenes were particularly impressive, showcasing her ability to hold her own against some of the biggest names in the genre.
While “Proud Mary” received mixed reviews from critics, Henson’s performance was widely praised. Many noted her ability to bring emotional depth and nuance to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional.
Her portrayal of Mary helped to elevate the film and made it a must-see for fans of action-packed, female-led cinema.
14. Sherry Parker in “The Karate Kid” (2010)
In the 2010 remake of “The Karate Kid,” Henson played Sherry Parker, the mother of the film’s protagonist, Dre. Although it was a supporting role, Henson brought warmth and authenticity to the character, making Sherry a loving and supportive presence in Dre’s life.
Her scenes with co-star Jaden Smith were particularly heartfelt, showcasing her ability to bring emotional depth to even the smallest of roles.
“The Karate Kid” was a box office success, grossing over $359 million worldwide. While much of the praise was directed towards the film’s young stars and the iconic performance of Jackie Chan, Henson’s portrayal of Sherry did not go unnoticed.
The performance helped to ground the film in reality and added an extra layer of emotional resonance to the story.
15. April in “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” (2009)
In Tyler Perry’s “I Can Do Bad All By Myself,” Henson played April, a selfish nightclub singer whose life is turned upside down when she is forced to take in her sister’s children. Her powerful singing voice was also on full display in the film, showcasing her incredible range as a performer.
“I Can Do Bad All By Myself” was a box office success, grossing over $51 million on a budget of just $13 million. Henson’s performance was praised by critics, with many noting her ability to bring depth and nuance to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional. Her portrayal of April helped to make the film a standout in Perry’s filmography and solidified her status as one of the most talented actresses of her generation.
From her breakout role in “Baby Boy” to her powerful performances in “Hidden Figures” and “Empire,” Taraji P. Henson has proven herself to be one of the most talented and versatile actresses of her generation. Her ability to bring depth, nuance, and emotional authenticity to every role she plays has made her a true icon of the screen.
These 15 performances are just a small sampling of her incredible body of work, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
