Halle Berry: Life in Film
The Oscar-winning actress survived plenty of ups and downs.
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Losing Isaiah - Berry played against ‘pretty type’ as a reformed crack addicted mother trying to get her son back from his foster parents in 1997’s “Losing Isaiah”. The movie also starred Jessica Lange, David Straithairn and Samuel L. Jackson (her “Jungle Fever” co-star).
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The Rich Man’s Wife - Already a staple in romantic comedies and dramas, Berry plunged into the world of thrillers in "The Rich Man’s Wife", as the unhappy younger spouse of a wealthy older man whom she fantasizes about killing. Clive Owen also stars.
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B*A*P*S - Directed by Robert Townsend, Berry flexed her comedic acting muscle, donned blond wigs, and a gold tooth as Nisi, a tacky but fab homegirl who sets out to scam a millionaire but who instead learns to be a Black American in the urban comedy classic, “B*A*P*S.”
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Introducing Dorothy Dandridge - Berry took home the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress for the title role in “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.” As executive producer, Berry shopped the project to several studios and networks before the 1999 film found a home on HBO. Photo: Kevin Winter/ImageDirect/Getty Images
Photo By Photo: Kevin Winter/ImageDirect/Getty Images
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Swordfish - Starring opposite John Travolta and Hugh Jackman, Berry sent shockwaves on the big screen as Ginger Knowles, a member of a group of secret renegade counter terrorists. On her “gratuitous” topless nude scene in the film, Berry’s first, she told Sun Media, “I did it because I needed to do it. I needed to face a fear.”
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Best Actress Oscar Winner Halle Berry - Berry made groundbreaking Hollywood history by becoming the first African American woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress as Leticia Musgrove in 2001’s “Monster’s Ball.” The indie star studded movie also starred Billy Bob Thorton, Heath Ledger and Sean Combs. Photo Credit: Frank Micelotta/GettyImages
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Die Another Day - As spy agent Jinx Johnson, in 2002’s “Die Another Day” Berry joined the cultural icon group of screen ladies known as ‘Bond Girls’ when she played the love interest of James Bond, portrayed by Pierce Brosnan. Berry jumped into full action mode brandishing guns and donning bikinis.
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Gothika - Constantly a moving force through varied film genres, Berry again shifted cinematic gears when she starred in the horror, mystery thriller “Gothika” as Miranda Grey, a psychiatrist who wakes up a patient in the asylum where she normally works. Robert Downey Jr., Charles Dutton, and Penelope Cruz also star.
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Catwoman - "Catwoman" starred Benjamin Bratt, Sharon Stone and Berry, wearing a black leather catsuit and cracking a whip as the cinematic version of the comic book based ultimate feline femme fatale. Berry won a Razzie For Worst Actress for the role, and spoofed her Oscar acceptance speech when she accepted.
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Things We Lost In The Fire - Berry received a 2008 NAACP Image Award nomination for Best Actress for “Things We Lost In The Fire.” In it, Berry returned to familiar ground as on-screen matriarch Audrey Burke, a widowed mom of two who welcomes her deceased husband’s best friend, played by Benecio del Toro to live in her home.
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Frankie and Alice - Venturing into daring big screen territory, Berry produced and starred in “Frankie and Alice,” as Frankie Murdoch, a young woman struggling with multiple personality disorder, including one of a racist. Based on a true story, Phylicia Rashad and Chandra Wilson also starred.