(Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

On March 24, 2002, acclaimed actress Halle Berry became the first African-American woman to receive an Academy Award for Best Actress in a leading role.

Berry received the award for her performance in the film Monster’s Ball.

Her acting career began in 1991 when she landed a small role in the Spike Lee film Jungle Fever. Then, in 1999, Berry portrayed legendary actress and singer Dorothy Dandridge in the HBO biopic Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. 

Berry has starred in over 30 movies during her career, and in 2013, she was the recipient of a BET Honors award.

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