Taraji P. Henson has become one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actresses, and her journey to fame is a testament to her hard work, talent, and determination. With a net worth of $12 million, she has made her mark in both film and television, proving herself to be a versatile and accomplished star.
A Career Defined by Talent and Breakthrough Roles
Henson’s big break came in 1998 when she made her film debut in Streetwise. However, it wasn’t until 2005, with her role in Hustle & Flow, that she began to gain wider recognition. This success was followed by a standout performance in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), a film that earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Her portrayal of the brilliant mathematician Katherine Johnson in Hidden Figures (2016) further solidified her position in Hollywood, contributing to both the film’s massive box-office success and critical acclaim.
Henson has enjoyed a similarly impressive career in television. She starred as the iconic Cookie Lyon in the Fox drama series Empire from 2015 to 2020. Her portrayal of the complex character earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama, as well as multiple Primetime Emmy nominations. She also received Emmy nominations for her roles in the Lifetime film Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story (2011) and a guest appearance in Abbott Elementary (2023).
A Star With Influence Beyond the Screen
Taraji’s talents extend beyond acting. In 2016, Time recognized her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, acknowledging her impact on and off-screen. That same year, she released her autobiography, Around the Way Girl, which became a New York Times bestseller, further demonstrating her multifaceted career. In 2019, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, marking a major milestone in her illustrious career.
Beyond acting, she has worked as a producer and hosted a variety of holiday specials for Fox. She also starred in films like Proud Mary (2018), Tyler Perry’s Acrimony (2018), Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), and What Men Want (2019). Her role in The Best of Enemies (2019), where she portrayed civil rights activist Ann Atwater, showcased her ability to take on challenging and transformative roles.
Examining Taraji’s Salary Over the Years
Throughout her career, Taraji has been vocal about the disparities in Hollywood salaries, particularly regarding her early roles. In 2008, she was cast in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button alongside Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. Despite being third billed, Taraji was initially offered just $100,000 for the role, a far cry from the multimillion-dollar salaries of her co-stars. She negotiated for $500,000 but eventually settled on $150,000. After taxes and paying her agents and managers, she only took home $40,000 for her work.
In a 2021 appearance on The Real, Henson spoke about the financial reality for high-earning actors, noting how much of their earnings go to taxes and their teams. She later discussed her frustration with salary inequities in a December 2023 interview with Gayle King, emphasizing how often actors are not compensated fairly, even after they have achieved great success.
Taraji credits Tyler Perry for being the first person to offer her $500,000 for her role in The Family That Preys (2008). For her work on Empire, she earned $175,000 per episode. Over the course of 102 episodes, this would amount to $17.85 million before deductions, which would leave her with approximately $4.65 million after expenses.
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Early Life and Education
Born on September 11, 1970, in Washington, D.C., Taraji Penda Henson was raised in a loving family with two siblings. The name Taraji, meaning “hope” in Swahili, was a fitting choice for a girl destined for greatness. Henson developed a special bond with her grandmother, who played a pivotal role in her upbringing. Initially, Taraji pursued a degree in electrical engineering at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. However, after discovering her true passion for acting, she transferred to Howard University, where she studied drama. To finance her education, she worked various jobs, including one at the Pentagon and another on a cruise ship.
A Rising Star in Film and Television
Taraji’s acting career began to gain momentum after her graduation from Howard University. Her breakout role came in 2001 when she starred opposite Tyrese Gibson in Baby Boy, which set the stage for future successes. In 2005, she earned widespread recognition for her role in Hustle & Flow, a film that garnered critical acclaim and several awards.
The following year, Taraji was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. That same year, she starred in The Family That Preys, followed by I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009). She also appeared in the 2010 remake of The Karate Kid, which was a commercial hit despite mixed reviews.
Taraji’s career continued to thrive with standout roles in Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story (2011), which earned her an Emmy nomination, and the Think Like a Man films (2012, 2014). However, it was her role in Hidden Figures (2016) that brought her the most acclaim, as the film earned multiple nominations and solidified her status as a leading actress in Hollywood.
In 2018, she starred in Proud Mary and Acrimony while also lending her voice to Ralph Breaks the Internet. Her career further expanded with What Men Want (2019), a reimagining of the 2000 film What Women Want.
Personal Life and Health
Taraji P. Henson is a proud mother to her son, Marcell, born in 1994. While his father, Henson’s high school sweetheart, was tragically murdered in 2003, she has remained a strong and supportive figure for her son. In 2014, Henson publicly addressed an incident in which her son was detained by police for having marijuana and prescription medication without a prescription, initially claiming racial profiling before later apologizing.
In 2017, Taraji made a significant lifestyle change by adopting a vegan diet after learning more about its health benefits, particularly for preventing stomach cancer. She has also been an active supporter of PETA, posing for both clothed and nude campaigns in 2011 and 2013.
Real Estate Ventures
Taraji has made a number of real estate investments over the years. In 2015, she purchased a condo in Chicago for $1.5 million, selling it in 2018 for a similar amount. She later bought two units in the same building in 2017 and listed them for $3.3 million in 2024. In addition to her Chicago properties, she owns multiple homes in Los Angeles. One, purchased in 2002 for $431,000, is located in Glendale, while her private mansion in Hollywood Hills, purchased for $6.45 million in 2016, offers breathtaking views and a high level of privacy.
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