She’s an acclaimed actress best known for earning an Academy Award nomination for her powerful portrayal of Tina Turner in the 1993 biopic What’s Love Got to Do with It. That performance truly put her on the map, and since then, she’s built an impressive filmography. Over the years, she’s delivered standout roles in movies like Waiting to Exhale, Notorious, and Malcolm X, as well as the beloved Black Panther. She also appeared in the television miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream, showcasing her range across different formats. Fans might also recognize her from her role as Desiree Dupree in FX’s popular series American Horror Story—a character that added even more depth to her already diverse career.
Before all the fame and red carpet moments, she was hard at work honing her craft. She earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the prestigious Yale School of Drama back in 1983. After graduation, she took a humble job as a receptionist at a beauty salon while pursuing her acting dreams. Slowly but surely, she began landing roles in various New York stage productions, laying the foundation for what would become a remarkable career. On a personal note, she married actor Courtney B. Vance in 1997, and the couple has shared a strong, lasting bond ever since. In 2006, they welcomed twins, Bronwyn and Slater, adding joy and new meaning to their lives together.
She popped up briefly in movies like F/X and Kindergarten Cop, you know, just small roles here and there. Then, she really started to make a name for herself—yeah, she landed one of her first major film roles in the 1991 drama Boyz n the Hood. In that film, she played Reva Devereaux, a standout character that helped put her on the map. It was kind of a turning point, really, showing off her talent in a serious way. She definitely made an impression, and from there, people began to take notice of her growing presence in Hollywood.