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The legendary Taraji P. Henson turns 53 today and we are taking a look back at her legendary career. For over two decades, she has been wowing us with her incredible acting chops and ambition. Happy birthday to Taraji and here is her life in film.

Photo By Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images

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Baby Boy (2001) - A fresh face to the Hollywood scene, Henson got her break on the big screen in John Singleton’s Baby Boy. (Photo: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures)

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Hustle & Flow (2005) - Henson’s performance as Shug in Hustle & Flow was a breakthrough for the actress. She also made her singing debut on Three 6 Mafia's “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp,” which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2006. (Photo: Courtesy of Crunk Pictures)

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Smokin' Aces (2006) - In the star-studded Smokin’ Aces, Henson played hitwoman Sharice Watters and special “friend” of Alicia Keys' character. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) - Nominated for five Golden Globes, Henson played Brad Pitt's adoptive mother Queenie in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Henson received an Oscar nomination for her performance as the aging mother. (Photo: Courtesy of Warner Bros.)

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The Family That Preys (2008) - Between television stints on Boston Legal and Eli Stone, Henson found time to be a part of Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys. Henson played Pam, sister of Sanaa Lathan’s character. (Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate)

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I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009) - Henson let her bad girl out as April in Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself. The cast also included Mary J. Blige, Adam Rodriguez, and Gladys Kinight. (Photo credit: Quantrell Colbert)

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The Karate Kid (2010) - Henson supported Will Smith's son Jaden Smith in the young star's film debut in the blockbuster The Karate Kid. (Photo: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

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Once Fallen (2010) - In the 2010, Taraji played Pearl in this crime saga about a family struggling to stay together. The cast also included Brian Presley and Ed Harris. (Photo: Courtesy of Freedom Films)

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Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story (2011) - Henson plays a mother in this fact-based television drama, about a nightmarish struggle to retrieve her 7-year-old son, whisked out of her life by her ex-husband when he abducted the boy and took him back to his native South Korea. (Photo: Courtesy of Front Street Pictures)

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Think Like a Man (2012) - Henson played corporate climber Lauren in this hilarious box office smash, about couple's navigating dating and romance according to Steve Harvey's best-selling advice book. The lucky lady got to be wooed by Michael Ealy in the film. (Photo: Courtesy of Screen Gems)

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Think Like a Man Too (2014) - Henson reprised her role as corporate honcho Lauren in the sequel to this 2012 hit. (Photo: Courtesy of Screen Gems)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy of Screen Gems

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Hidden Figures (2016) - Hidden Figures was the historical drama about three Black women mathematicians. Taraji P. Henson played Katherine Johnson, Octavia Spencer portrayed Dorothy Vaughan, and Janelle Monáe took on the role of Mary Jackson. It was another iconic film for Henson.

Photo By Photo Credit: Hopper Stone,Photo Credit: Hopper Stone

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Empire (2015 - 2020) - Henson as Cookie Lyon was unforgettable for six seasons. In 2016, she won a Golden Globe for best actress in a dramatic series. Henson as Cookie is one of the greatest characters in television.

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Abbott Elementary (2023) - This year, Henson made her return television in the hit TV series Abbott Elementary. She played Vanetta, the mother of Quinta Brunson's character -- we look forward to her walking the halls of Abbott Elementary in future episodes! Happy birthday, Taraji!