Mo'Nique
Date of Birth: December 11, 1967
Growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, Mo'Nique Imes was known for her quick wit and wonderful sense of humor, but she didn't consider pursuing a career in comedy until 1988 when her brother dared her to perform onstage. To her surprise, she received a standing ovation and could no longer deny that performing was in her blood.
She made appearances at Showtime at the Apollo, The Montreal Comedy Festival, Def Comedy Jam, Apollo Comedy Hour, Snaps, Comic View, and Uptown Comedy Club. For a while, she also worked as the co-host of Washington D.C.'s WHUR Radio morning show.
Mo'Nique landed guest appearances on television shows such as Sin City Spectacular and Moesha before being given a starring role on the hit UPN TV series The Parkers in 1999. For her work on the show, she has won three Image Awards as Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series in 2001, 2002 and 2004. She has also won a Black Reel award as Best Supporting Actress for her role in the TV movie Good Fences (2003).
Her movie debut was playing Kahlia in the comedy 3 Strikes (2000), and since then she has also appeared in films such as Two Can Play at that Game (2001), the Steven Seagal Action Thriller Half Past Dead (2002), Soul Plane (2004) and Beauty Shop (2004). In 2010, she won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for her work in the critically-acclaimed drama, Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire.
Though her marriage to Mark Jackson produced two children, it ended in divorce after only a few years. Currently single, she lives in Los Angeles.
Filmography:
Steppin: The Movie (2009)
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009)
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (2008)
Beerfest (2006)
Phat Girlz (2006)
Domino (2005)
Shadowboxer (2005)
Hair Show (2004)
Garfield: The Movie (2004) (voice)
Soul Plane (2004)
Half Past Dead (2002)
Two Can Play That Game (2001)
Baby Boy (2001)
3 Strikes (2000)