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- After Taraji P. Henson expressed frustration with Hollywood's pay disparities for Black women, fellow actor Vivica A. Fox made controversial remarks to TMZ, later revisiting and "clarifying" her statement in February.
- Henson's filmography has grossed over $3.55 billion, yet she has faced low compensation.
- Henson's major successes include films like "Hidden Figures" and "Ralph Breaks the Internet," and she has earned a net worth around $12 million.
From a lovable villain in the Minions universe to an Oscar-nominated performance in David Fincher's The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, Taraji P. Henson has undoubtedly pitched her own lucrative tent in Hollywood.
Through her infectious onscreen charm and dedication to roles, Henson has transcended genres and earned an A-list status in the industry.
Henson was in the news in December 2023, following her viral statements about Hollywood's pay disparities during an appearance on Gayle King's radio show.
Taraji P. Henson's net worth has been estimated at around $12 million, but figures vary.
She told King in part that she'd considered quitting show business entirely due to low compensation and high expenses in the industry.
When speaking to King, Henson lamented that the "math ain't mathing," and explained:
I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious about what I do, getting paid a fraction of the cost.
I’m tried of hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over. You get tired.
The Hollywood Reporter covered Henson's remarks, and contacted her for additional comment.
In response, Henson told THR:
"I’ve been getting paid and I’ve been fighting tooth and nail every project to get that same freaking [fee] quote. And it’s a slap in the face when people go, ‘Oh girl, you work all the time. You always working.’
"Well, g*******t, I have to. It’s not because I wish I could do two movies a year and that’s that. I have to work because the math ain’t mathing. And I have bills[.]"
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Henson's frustration comes into sharper focus when you consider she boasts a filmography which grossed an astronomical $3.55 billion – her journey is paved with both critically acclaimed performances and box office smashes.
Taraji P. Henson rose to prominence with her role in Craig Brewer's Hustle & Flow, before graduating to more star-studded productions like The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, which earned her an Academy Award ... and a meager $40,000 salary.
Updated, February 2024: In February 2024, discussion of Henson's comments persisted, with fellow women of color in the industry chiming in to describe their experiences. On February 9th, TheRoot.com covered then-recent remarks made by Vivica A. Fox, "clarifying" a statement Fox initially made to TMZ about the issue back in January.
Initially (and controversially), Fox told TMZ that she "didn’t [share] that experience," when asked about Henson's viral comments and her frustrations. In a subsequent interview with Loren LaRosa of Brown Girl Grinding, Fox revisited her comments to TMZ, re-framing her remarks as a matter of compartmentalization, and saying in part:
" ... when I said 'I'm good,' I’m a worker bee. I have a tendency to not complain, that I do the work. ... I do the work, I complain afterward, I pick up the phone—if there’s a problem, I call my people. That’s what they’re there for. That’s how they’re supposed to earn their money."
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Henson has also had an extensive career in television, starring in CBS' Person Of Interest, and as the beloved Cookie Lyon in Empire, for which she won a Golden Globe for "Best Actress," and earned a $175,000 paycheck per episode.
However, Henson's major successes stem from films like Minions: The Rise Of Gru and Ralph Breaks The Internet, particularly in terms of box office receipts.
10 Think Like A Man Too (2014)
Global Box Office, Think Like a Man Too: $70.2 Million
Think Like A Man Too, the 2014 sequel to a hit rom-com, takes our favorite couples to Sin City for a wild Las Vegas vacation.
Henson reprises her role as Lauren, now in a happy relationship with Dominic (Michael Ealy), as they navigate the ups and downs of their romance.
Sadly, Think Like a Man Too didn't generate as much interest in the characters or concept as its predecessor did in 2012, but it still managed to pull in a respectable audience.
According to Box Office Mojo, Think Like a Man Too grossed $65.2 million domestically and $5 million internationally, for a global total of $70.2 million.
This was nearly triple its $24 million production budget, proving that Henson's star power, along with her co-stars, continued to be a significant box office draw.
Estimated Budget | $24,000,000 |
Box Office (Domestic) | $65,182,182 |
Box Office (International) | $4,999,246 |
Box Office (Total) | $70,181,428 |
9 Four Brothers (2005)
Global Box Office, Four Brothers: $92.4 Million
In this gripping action drama, Taraji P. Henson plays Camille Mercer, the fiercely devoted wife of Jeremiah Mercer, one of the four adoptive brothers.
The film's plot follows four adopted brothers who lost the woman who brought them together. Henson may not have been the main focus, but her presence added depth and emotional fire to the story.
This action-packed thriller, starring Mark Wahlberg as the eldest brother, kept audiences on the edge of their seats with its twists and turns.
While critics might not have loved the revenge tale of four adopted brothers, Four Brothers made a decent plunge at the box office.
Produced on a budget of $45 million, it earned $92.3 million worldwide. North American theaters alone coughed up $74.5 million, while international audiences chipped in another $17.8 million.
Estimated Budget | $45,000,000 |
Box Office (Domestic) | $74,494,381 |
Box Office (International) | $17,880,293 |
Box Office (Total) | $92,374,674 |
8 Think Like A Man (2012)
Global Box Office, Think Like a Man: $96 Million
The comedy that started it all, Think Like A Man, is based on Steve Harvey's relationship advice book (the one with "the mama's boys" and "the players"), and it follows four girlfriends who use his tips to turn the tables on their men.
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This rom-com goldmine only needed a $12 million budget to make magic happen. Critics weren't head over heels, but audiences couldn't get enough of the humor, the soundtrack, and the amazing performances.
Think Like a Man grossed over $33.7 million during its opening weekend, knocking The Hunger Games off its perch as the number one movie at the box office in the United States.
The film ended its run with $91.5 million from both the United States and Canada, along with $4.5 million from other countries, for a worldwide total of $96 million:
Estimated Budget | $12,000,000 |
Box Office (Domestic) | $91,547,205 |
Box Office (International) | $4,523,302 |
Box Office (Total) | $96,070,507 |
7 Date Night (2010)
Global Box Office, Date Night: $152.3 Million
In Date Night, Taraji P. Henson played the role of an initially skeptical detective, alongside Steve Carell and Tina Fey.
The rom-com-action adventure, though not considered one of Carell's best, centers on the comedic misadventures of a married couple. Henson shines as the quick-witted and resourceful Claire, who proves more than capable of keeping up with the mayhem.
Despite a mixed critical reception, the film's star power and slapstick humor proved irresistible, helping it to $152.3 million worldwide, nearly tripling its production budget of $55 million.
$98.7 million of the film's global total came from domestic ticket sales, while the international box office contributed $53.6 million.
Estimated Budget | $55,000,000 |
Box Office (Domestic) | $98,711,404 |
Box Office (International) | $53,552,476 |
Box Office (Total) | $152,263,880 |
6 PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie (2023)
Global Box Office, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie: $197.4 Million
Henson steps in as Victoria "Vee" Vance, a meteor expert who collaborates with Mayor Humdinger in PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie.
When a meteor grants the PAW Patrol pups incredible abilities, excitement turns to peril as arch-villain Humdinger and a meteor-crazed scientist, Vee, hatch a nefarious plan to steal the pups' powers for themselves.
Vee's chaotic charm owes a lot to Henson's vocal talents, making her both fun and frightening. This family-friendly action-comedy soared beyond expectations.
According to Box Office Mojo, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie grossed a mighty $197.4 million worldwide.
While domestic audiences contributed $65.2 million, the film truly found global appeal, raking in an additional $132.2 million internationally.
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A new Wendy Williams documentary ("Where Is Wendy Williams?") deals in large part with the star's money and finances.Estimated Budget | $30,000,000 |
Box Office (Domestic) | $65,231,360 |
Box Office (International) | $132,200,000 |
Box Office (Total) | $197,431,360 |
5 Hidden Figures (2016)
Global Box Office, Hidden Figures: $235.95 Million
In this inspiring true story, Taraji P. Henson takes flight as Katherine Johnson, a brilliant mathematician whose calculations helped put John Glenn into space.
Alongside fellow "human computers" Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe), they navigate racial and gender barriers at NASA during the height of the Space Race.
Critics praised Hidden Figures for the writing, direction, cinematography, emotional tone, and historical accuracy. The film defied expectations at the box office, particularly in North America.
Banking on brains and brilliance, Hidden Figures bagged $235.9 million worldwide, nearly a tenfold return on its $25 million budget.
Domestic audiences contributed $169.6 million, while international fans chipped in $66.3 million, and Henson gave a moving speech at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2017:
Deadline Hollywood estimated the net profit of the film to be $95.55 million when factoring together all expenses and revenues.
Estimated Budget | $25,000,000 |
Box Office (Domestic) | $169,607,287 |
Box Office (International) | $66,349,611 |
Box Office (Total) | $235,956,898 |
4 The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (2008)
Global Box Office, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button: $335.8 Million
In this mind-bending story of life in reverse, Taraji P. Henson shines as Queenie, the woman who raises Benjamin Button, a child born with the physical appearance of an old man.
David Fincher's The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button is a visually stunning masterpiece that chronicles Benjamin's life as he journeys toward youth while Queenie, his anchor and confidante, ages gracefully by his side.
Critics were impressed by Fincher's visionary direction and emotional storytelling. The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button was showered with accolades, including 13 Oscar nominations (with Taraji landing a well-deserved nod for "Best Supporting Actress") and it won three.
Despite its unconventional premise and hefty $160 million budget, audiences embraced the unique tale of Benjamin Button, propelling it to a joyful $335 million at the box office.
According to Box Office Mojo, the film grossed $127.5 million domestically and $208.3 million in foreign markets.
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Box Office (Domestic) | $127,509,326 |
Box Office (International) | $208,293,460 |
Box Office (Total) | $335,802,786 |
3 The Karate Kid (2010)
Global Box Office, The Karate Kid: $359.1 Million
This Jackie Chan-led remake of the classic underdog story features Taraji P. Henson as Sherry Parker, Dre's (Jaden Smith) fiercely protective single mom.
While Henson brings her signature warmth and strength to the role, the story mostly focuses on Dre's journey under the tutelage of Mr. Han (Jackie Chan). Despite some initial skepticism, this reboot of one of the most popular film franchises proved to be a box office juggernaut.
The Karate Kid surpassed its moderate budget of $40 million in its opening weekend, grossing $56 million in North America alone.
The Karate Kid wrapped its theater run with a global haul of $359 million, securing $176 million in the United States and Canada, and an extra $182 million overseas.
Estimated Budget | $40,000,000 |
Box Office (Domestic) | $176,591,618 |
Box Office (International) | $182,534,404 |
Box Office (Total) | $359,126,022 |
2 Ralph Breaks The Internet (2018)
Global Box Office, Ralph Breaks The Internet - $529,323,962
Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope von Schweetz take their pixelated antics online in this animated sequel!
Henson joins the digital party as Yesss, the trend-setting algorithm who runs the ultra-cool BuzzTube. With her sassy voice and infectious confidence, Henson breathes life into this algorithm-turned-friend.
Disney's $175 million gamble on Ralph Breaks The Internet paid off. The film grossed $529 million globally, more than tripling its budget.
According to Box Office Mojo, American and Canadian audiences contributed $201 million, while the rest of the world chipped in $328 million.
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Jim Carrey soared from stand-up to a $180 million net worth, and his films have grossed a gargantuan $5.7 billion.Estimated Budget | $175,000,000 |
Box Office (Domestic) | $201,091,711 |
Box Office (International) | $328,232,251 |
Box Office (Total) | $529,323,962 |
1 Minions: The Rise Of Gru (2022)
Global Box Office, Minions: The Rise of Gru: $939.6 Million
In Minions: The Rise Of Gru, we rewind the clock and see these pint-sized troublemakers help a young, wannabe super-villain named Gru (Steve Carell) get his evil act together.
In this prequel caper, Taraji P. Henson dons the sequined jumpsuit of Belle Bottom, a master thief and the newly-appointed leader of the Vicious 6. When Gru unintentionally swipes their prized loot, it sets off a chain of events with this ragtag group of baddies that leads to an action-packed adventure.
Despite some criticism of the plot, the film made a powerful debut with $107 million and continued its success, crossing the $500 million, $600 million, and $700 million worldwide marks in subsequent weekends.
According to Box Office Mojo, Minions: The Rise of Grugrossed over $939 million globally and became the fifth-highest-grossing film of 2022.
The film earned $369.7 million in the United States and Canada and $569.9 million in other territories.
Deadline Hollywood reported a net profit of $368 million, considering production budgets of $100 million.
Estimated Budget | $100,000,000 |
Box Office (Domestic) | $369,695,210 |
Box Office (International) | $569,933,000 |
Box Office (Total) | $939,628,210 |
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