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Today (November 8), Alfre Woodard, the acclaimed and versatile actress, celebrates her 71st birthday. With a career spanning several decades, Woodard has delivered powerful and unforgettable performances. In honor of this milestone, let's journey through her impressive filmography and reflect on her remarkable contributions to cinema.

Photo By Photo by Mike Coppola

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Mandela (1987) - Alfre Woodard acted alongside Danny Glover in this biopic about the South African activist and leader. (Photo: Polymuse Productions)

Photo By Photo: Polymuse Productions

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A Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas Story (1989) - Fulfilling the role of Mary Thomas, mother of NBA champion Isiah Thomas, this biopic recounts Mary's struggle to raise her son before he became a professional athlete. (Photo: Walt Disney Television)

Photo By Photo by The Walt Disney Company

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Scrooged (1988) - Woodard makes an appearance as Bill Murray's assistant in this modern take on Charles Dickens' A Chrismas Carol. (Photo: Paramount Pictures)

Photo By Photo: Paramount Pictures

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Blue Chips (1994) - Woodard played former basketball player Anfernee Hardaway's mother in this classic 1994 sports film about the foils of college basketball. (Photo: Paramount Pictures)

Photo By Photo: Paramount Pictures

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Crooklyn (1994) - Woodard starred as Carolyn Carmichael, the discerning matriarch in this classic Spike Lee-directed movie. (Photo: 40 Acres & a Mule Film Productions)

Photo By Photo By 40 Acres and a Mule

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Down in the Delta (1998) - Woodard received critical praise for her performance as a drug-addicted woman sent to Mississippi for recovery. (Photo: Amen Ra Films, Showtime Networks)

Photo By Photo: Amen Ra Films

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Love & Basketball (2000) - Woodard took the role of Camille Wright, mother of Sanaa Lathan's character, in this classic romance-sports film. (Photo: 40 Acres & a Mule Film Productions)

Photo By Photo by 40 Acres and a Mule

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Holiday Heart (2000) - In a role that garnered her a Golden Globe nomination, Woodard went on to play a drug-addicted prostitute struggling to care for her daughter. (Photo: MGM Television, Tribeca Productions)

Photo By PhototnwMGM Television

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The Family That Preys (2008) - Alfre Woodard and Kathy Bates are best friends in this sordid story about a family business that's tied into the lives of their children. (Photo: the Tyler Perry Company)

Photo By Photo: the Tyler Perry Company

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12 Years a Slave (2013) - Based on a true story, 12 Years a Slave is the story of a freed black man named Solomon Northrup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who is abducted and sold into slavery. Woodard played Mistress Harriet Shaw, contributing to the film's Oscar-winning success. (Photo: FOX Searchlight Pictures)

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Clemency (2019) - Her remarkable performance as prison warden Bernadine Williams earned her critical acclaim and further established her as an acting powerhouse.

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Fatherhood (2021) - Alfre Woodard showcased her talent once again in this comedy-drama film, sharing the screen with Kevin Hart.

Photo By Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Turner Image