How old is Taraji P. Henson?

Taraji P. Henson is 55 years old (born September 11, 1970).

Is Taraji P. Henson still alive?

Yes, Taraji P. Henson is still alive as of 2026, aged 55.

Where is Taraji P. Henson from?

Taraji P. Henson is from Washington, D.C., USA, United States.

What generation is Taraji P. Henson?

Taraji P. Henson is a Generation X, born in 1970.

Taraji P. Henson

🎭 actor

Still alive

—

Age today

years old

A member of the Generation X generation, Taraji P. Henson was born in 1970 in Washington, D.C., USA and went on to become a celebrated Actor.

Taraji P. Henson (born September 11, 1970) is an American actress, producer and singer. She studied acting at Howard University and began her Hollywood career as guest star on several television shows before making her breakthrough in the movie Baby Boy (2001). In 2005, she starred in Hustle & Flow and played Queenie in David Fincher's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), for which she received an Academy Award nomination. In 2016, Time named Henson one of the 100 most influential pe

Taraji P. Henson — Biography, Age & FactsTaraji P. Henson Age in 2026Taraji P. Henson Nationality: United StatesTaraji P. Henson — Still Alive (Age 55)Taraji P. Henson Career (37 years)

the Fox series *Empire* became a culturalpop culturethe Black communitythe popular Disney animated film *Ralph BCookie LyonGolden Globe Award

Born

Years in career37 years active

September 11th, 1970

Birthplace

Washington, D.C., USA

Known for

🎭 Actor

Nationality

United States

Generation

Generation X

Career

37 years

Region

North America

📖 Wikipedia 📅 Others born on September 11th

How Taraji P. Henson compares to other Actors

🎂Taraji P. Henson is 2 years older than the average Actor

Metric	Taraji P. Henson	Avg Actor	Difference
Age	55	53	+2 yrs
Career length	37 yrs	~35 yrs	+2 yrs
Based on 3888 Actor profiles in our database

All Actors Generation X celebrities North America Others born September 11 United States celebrities

Facts about Taraji P. Henson

Did you know?

Did you know that Taraji P. Henson initially pursued electrical engineering before transferring to Howard University to study drama?

5 Lesser-known facts

Before acting, she initially pursued electrical engineering at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
She worked as a secretary at the Pentagon and other jobs to support her son while studying acting at Howard University.
She founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in 2018 to eradicate the stigma around mental health in the Black community.
Her 2016 memoir, "Around the Way Girl," became a New York Times best-seller, detailing her journey and struggles.
She lent her voice to the character Yesss in the popular Disney animated film *Ralph Breaks the Internet*.

Career highlight

Taraji P. Henson's portrayal of the fierce and unforgettable Cookie Lyon in the Fox series *Empire* became a cultural phenomenon, earning her a Golden Globe Award and cementing her status as a television icon. The role resonated widely, making Cookie a beloved and influential character in pop culture.

Legacy

Taraji P. Henson's legacy is defined by her versatile and powerful performances, her advocacy for mental health awareness through her foundation, and her groundbreaking role in expanding representation for Black women in Hollywood.