Photo: (2009) Steve Granitz, © WireImage.com

Born Taraji Penda Henson in Washington, DC; first and middle names are Swahili for "hope" and "love", respectively. She first studied to be an electrical engineer, but -- after failing Pre-Calculus -- she transferred to Howard University (Washington, DC), from which she graduated in 1995.

Henson first appeared on television in an episode of "Sister, Sister" in 1997. Other TV appearances include "ER", "Smart Guy", "Felicity", "All of Us", "House M.D.", "C.S.I.", and recurring roles on "The Division" (2003-04), "Boston Legal" (2007-2008) and "Eli Stone" (2008). Her film credits include STREETWISE (1998), THE ADVENTURES OF ROCKY & BULLWINKLE (2000), ALL OR NOTHING (2001), HAIR SHOW (2004), HUSTLE & FLOW and FOUR BROTHERS (both 2005), SOMETHING NEW and SMOKIN' ACES (both 2006), TALK TO ME (2007), THE FAMILY THAT PREYS and THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (both 2008), and NOT EASILY BROKEN, HURRICANE SEASON and ONCE FALLEN (all 2009).

  Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role 2008: THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON