Taraji P. Henson is one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actresses, renowned not just for her talent but also for her advocacy. Over her more than 30-year career, Henson has been a fierce proponent of pay equity in film and television. Her relentless efforts have made her one of the industry’s most influential figures and one of its highest-paid actresses.
Henson started her career in 1992 with small roles as an extra in various productions. Her first credited role came in the 1998 film “Streetwise,” followed by her breakthrough as Yvette in the comedy-drama “Baby Boy,” where she starred alongside Tyrese Gibson.
Since then, Henson has earned several prestigious awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a TV Series – Drama for her performance in “Empire” in 2015, and a SAG Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Hidden Figures.”
Taraji P. Henson’s Net Worth: Discover the Wealth of the BET Awards 2024 Host
Although her earnings don’t match those of Hollywood’s top male actors, Taraji P. Henson has accumulated significant wealth over her career. As of 2024, her net worth is estimated to be $12 million, according to sources like Celebrity Net Worth.
While producers and artists often keep their contracts confidential, Henson has openly shared some of the salaries she has earned for her performances.
In various interviews, Henson has revealed that she was paid only $150,000 for her role as Queenie in the critically acclaimed and commercially successful film “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” In contrast, her co-stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett each earned between $5-10 million for the same production.
She also disclosed that she earned $175,000 per episode for her role as Cookie Lyon in “Empire.” Her highest single paycheck was $500,000 for portraying Pam Evans in “The Family That Preys” in 2008.
Despite these seemingly high figures, Henson has often clarified that the actual amount deposited into her bank account is significantly less.
Taraji’s activism
In an interview with “The Real” following her role in “Benjamin Button,” Henson elaborated on her earnings, stating, “When you start making that kind of money, Uncle Sam takes 50 percent, so let’s do the math. That leaves me with $75,000, and then I have to pay another thirty percent to my team who worked to get me that job. I don’t pay them 30 percent of the $75,000, no, no, no, I pay them 30 percent of the $150,000. So what does that compute to?”
In an interview with Gayle King, Henson echoed these figures and expressed her frustration, saying, “Every time I achieve something and break another glass ceiling, when it’s time to renegotiate, I’m back at the bottom, like I never did what I just did, and I’m tired.”
Henson’s talent and her efforts to close the wage gap in the film industry have garnered her widespread respect. In 2016, Time recognized her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, acknowledging her relentless fight for equality.
