Halle Berry
Birth name Halle Maria Berry
Born August 14, 1966 (1966-08-14) (age 40)
Bedford, Ohio, U.S.
Spouse(s) David Justice (1992-1996)
Eric Benét (2001-2005)
Official site www.hallewood.com
Notable roles Dorothy Dandridge in Introducing Dorothy Dandridge
Miranda Grey in Gothika
Leticia Musgrove in Monster's Ball
Giacinta 'Jinx' Johnson in Die Another Day
Ororo Munroe/Storm in X-Men, X2: X-Men United and X-Men: The Last Stand
Patience Phillips in Catwoman
Academy Awards
Best Actress
2001 Monster's Ball
Emmy Awards
Outstanding Lead Actress - Miniseries/Movie
2000 Introducing Dorothy Dandridge
Golden Globe Awards
Best Actress - Mini-series
2000 Introducing Dorothy Dandridge
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Halle Maria Berry (born August 14, 1966[1]) is an American actress. Berry
has received Emmy and Golden Globe awards, and was awarded the Academy Award
in 2002 for her performance in Monster's Ball. She is the only woman of
African American descent to have won the award for Best Actress.
Biography
Early life and career
Berry's parents selected her first name from Halle's Department Store, which
was then a local landmark in her birthplace of Cleveland, Ohio. She is the
daughter of Englishwoman Judith Ann Hawkins, a Liverpudlian,[2] and Jerome
Jesse Berry, who was African American. Berry's maternal grandmother, Nellie
Dicken, was born in Sawley, Derbyshire, England, while her maternal
grandfather, Earl Ellsworth Hawkins (an American), was born in Ohio.[3]
Berry's parents divorced when she was 4 years old and she was subsequently
raised by her mother, a psychiatric nurse. Her father was an orderly in the
same psychiatric ward where her mother worked and later worked as a bus
driver.[4] Berry has two older sisters, Heidi, who was born two years before
her, and Renee (from a different mother).
Berry was a popular student at Bedford High School and was a cheerleader,
honor society member, editor of the school newspaper, class president and
prom queen. She worked in the children's department at Higbee's Department
store. She subsequently attended Cuyahoga Community College.
Before becoming an actress, she entered several beauty contests, winning
Miss Ohio USA and Miss Teen All-American. Other entries include Miss USA
(first runner-up in 1986 to Christy Fichtner of Texas, the second of the
Texas Aces), and sixth place in Miss World 1986 (the winner being Trinidad
and Tobago's Giselle Laronde). In the Miss USA 1986 pageant interview
competition, she said she hoped to become an entertainer, or to have
something to do with the media or newspaper. Her interview was awarded the
highest score by the judges.[5]
In 1989, during the taping of the short-lived television series Living
Dolls, Berry lapsed into a coma and was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus
type 1.[6]
Hollywood career
In the late 1980s, she went to Chicago to pursue a modeling career as well
as acting. One of her first acting projects was a television series for
local cable by Gordon Lake Productions called Chicago Force. In 1992, Berry
was cast as the love interest in the video for R. Kelly's seminal hit,
"Honey Love". Berry auditioned for a role in an updated Charlie's Angels
television series by producer Aaron Spelling. She impressed Spelling and he
encouraged her to continue acting.
In 1989, Berry landed the role of Emily Franklin in the short-lived ABC
television series Living Dolls (a spin-off of Who's the Boss?). Her
breakthrough feature film role was in Spike Lee's Jungle Fever in which she
played a drug addict named Vivian. Her first co-starring role was in the
1991 film Strictly Business. In 1992, Berry portrayed a career woman who
falls for Eddie Murphy in the romantic comedy Boomerang. That same year, she
caught the public's attention as a headstrong biracial slave in the TV
adaption of Queen: The Story of an American Family, based on the book by
Alex Haley. Berry also played the sultry secretary in the live action
Flintstones movie as "Sharon Stone".[7]
Playing a former drug addict struggling to regain custody of her son in
Losing Isaiah (1995), Berry showed she could tackle more serious roles,
holding her own opposite co-star Jessica Lange. She portrayed Sandra Beecher
in Race the Sun (1996), which was based on a true story, and co-starred
along side Kurt Russell in Executive Decision. In Bullworth, Berry received
praise for her role as an intelligent woman raised by activists who gives
politician Warren Beatty a new lease on life, and as the singer Zola Taylor,
one of the three wives of pop singer Frankie Lymon, in the biopic Why Do
Fools Fall in Love both in 1998.
In the 1999 film Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, Berry portrayed the first
black woman to be nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award. In this HBO
biopic, Berry's performance was recognized with several awards including an
Emmy and a Golden Globe. (She was also one of the producers of the project.)
Berry portrayed the mutant Storm in the movie adaptation of the popular
comic book series X-Men (2000) and its successful sequels X2: X-Men United
(2003) and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006). In late 2001, Berry appeared as
Leticia Musgrove, the wife of an executed murderer, in the film Monster's
Ball. Her performance was awarded the National Board of Review and the
Screen Actors Guild prizes. The role earned her an Academy Award for Best
Actress: she made history by becoming the first African American woman to
earn a Best Actress Academy Award.
As Bond Girl Jinx in the (2002) blockbuster Die Another Day she famously
re-created the scene from Dr. No, bursting from the surf to be greeted by
James Bond, as Ursula Andress had 40 years earlier. In late 2003, Berry
starred in the psychological thriller Gothika opposite Robert Downey Jr. Her
next lead role was in the film Catwoman, for which she was awarded a "worst
actress" Razzie award in 2005, which she accepted in person with a sense of
humor and recognition that "to be at the top, you must experience the rock
bottom".
Berry next appeared in the Oprah Winfrey-produced ABC telepic Their Eyes
Were Watching God (2005), an adaptation of Zora Neale Hurston's novel, in
which Berry portrayed Janie Crawford, an iconoclastic, free-spirited woman
whose unconventional mores regarding relationships upset her 1920s
contemporaries in her small community. Meanwhile, she voiced the character
of Cappy, one of the many mechanical beings in the animated feature, Robots
(2005). She has filmed the thriller Perfect Stranger with Bruce Willis and
wrapped shooting Things We Lost in the Fire with Benicio Del Toro. She is
set to star in Class Act, based on the real life story of a teacher whose
students helped her run for political office and "Tulia", which will reunite
her with Monster's Ball costar Billy Bob Thornton.
Berry is making the transition to working on the production side of film and
television. She is working with author Angela Nissel to executive produce a
comedy series based on Nissel's two memoirs, The Broke Diaries and Mixed: My
Life in Black and White.[8] Berry has served many years as the face of
Revlon cosmetics, and was recently named the face of Versace. She is
featured in Maxim magazine's Girls of Maxim gallery.[9]
Berry is one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood, commanding $14
million each for Gothika and Catwoman. In July 2007 she topped In Touch
magazine's list of the world's most fabulous 40-something celebrities. [10]
Personal life
Berry has been married twice. Her first marriage in 1992 to pro baseball
player David Justice ended in divorce in 1996. Justice played with the
Atlanta Braves and experienced a measure of fame as the team rose to
prominence in the early 1990s. The couple found it difficult to maintain
their relationship while he was playing baseball and she was filming
elsewhere. Berry has stated publicly that she was so despondent after her
breakup with Justice that she considered taking her own life.[11]
Her second marriage in 2001 to musician Eric Benét resulted in a 2004
separation and 2005 divorce. In 2004, after the separation, Berry stated "I
want love, and I will find it, hopefully".[12] While married to Benét, Berry
made plans to adopt Eric's daughter, India. However, the process was never
finalized.
As of 2005, she was dating French-Canadian supermodel Gabriel Aubry, who is
nine years her junior. The couple met at a Versace photoshoot. After six
months with Aubry, she stated in an interview "I'm really happy in my
personal life, which is a novelty to me. You know I'm not the girl that has
the best relationships".[13]
Berry revealed on Extra that she plans to adopt children. "I will adopt if
it doesn't happen for me naturally", she said. "I will definitely adopt. And
I probably will adopt even if it does happen naturally". (Aubry, who lived
in five foster families between the ages of 3 and 18, is presumably open to
being an adoptive parent as well.)[12] Later, she stated "I never want to be
married again. I guess you could say I have bad taste in men. But I no
longer feel the need to be someone's wife. I don't feel like I need to be
validated by being in a marriage".[14]
Racial self-identification
Berry has stated that the manner in which people have reacted to her is
often the result of ignorance. Her own self-identification has been
influenced by her mother. She is quoted as saying her mother taught her not
to discriminate because we're all part of the same race; the human race.[15]
Controversy
In February 2000, Berry was involved in a car accident in which she struck a
vehicle after running a red light, and left the scene before the police
arrived. Berry, who had sustained a head injury, stated she had no
recollection of the accident and pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge.
She paid a fine, made restitution to the other driver, performed community
service, and was placed on three years’ supervised probation by the Los
Angeles County Adult Probation Office.[16]
Film Awards and nominations
* Academy Award
o 2002, Best Actress: Monster's Ball (Winner)
* BAFTA Award
o 2003, Best Lead Actress: Monster's Ball (Nominated)
* BET Award
o 2003, Best Actress: (Winner)
* Black Movie Award
o 2006, Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress: X3: The Last Stand
(Nominated)
o 2005, Outstanding Television Movie: Lackawanna Blues (Winner)
* Black Reel Awards
o 2006, Best Actress in a TV Movie/ Mini-Series: Their Eyes Were Watching
God (Nominated)
o 2004, Best Actress: Gothika (Nominated)
o 2003, Best Supporting Actress: Die Another Day (Nominated)
o 2002, Best Actress: Monster's Ball (Winner)
o 2000, Best Actress in a TV Movie/Mini-Series: Introducing Dorothy
Dandridge (Winner)
Other recognition
* In 2003, Berry was named No. 1 in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World
poll.
* In 2004, Berry won the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress in
Catwoman.
* In 2005, Berry was No.1 on VH1's top 50 Sexiest Bodies countdown.
* Berry was offered Honorary Membership into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,
Incorporated. However, Berry has not yet been initiated into the sorority.
* In 2006, Hasty Pudding Theatricals recognized Berry as Woman of The Year.
* Berry has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard
for her contributions to the film industry, awarded on April 3, 2007.[17]
* On October 18, 2003 Halle Berry hosted Saturday Night Live (musical guest:
Britney Spears).
Filmography
Year Title Role Other Notes
1989 Living Dolls Emily Franklin on TV (cancelled after 13 episodes)
1991 Knots Landing Debbie Porter on TV (cast member in 1991)
Jungle Fever Vivian
Strictly Business Natalie
The Last Boy Scout Cory
1992 Boomerang Angela Lewis
1993 Queen: The Story of an American Family Queen on TV (miniseries) Halle
Berry won the Image Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Television Movie
or Mini-Series
CB4 Cameo
Father Hood Kathleen Mercer
The Program Autumn Haley
1994 The Flintstones Sharon Stone
1995 Solomon & Sheba Nikhaule/Queen Sheba on TV
Losing Isaiah Khaila Richards
1996 Executive Decision Jean, Flight Attendant
Race the Sun Miss Sandra Beecher
Girl 6 Cameo
The Rich Man's Wife Josie Potenza
1997 B*A*P*S Nisi
1998 The Wedding Shelby Coles on TV
Bulworth Nina
Why Do Fools Fall In Love Zola Taylor
Introducing Dorothy Dandridge Dorothy Dandridge on TV, an HBO Movie. Halle
won the Emmy, Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding
Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (She was also executive producer)
2000 X-Men (film) Ororo Munroe/Storm
Welcome to Hollywood Documentary
2001 Swordfish Ginger Knowles
Monster's Ball Leticia Musgrove Halle won the Best Actress Academy Award
2002 Die Another Day Giacinta "Jinx" Johnson
2003 X2: X-Men United Ororo Munroe / Storm
Gothika Miranda Grey
2004 Catwoman Patience Phillips / Catwoman Berry won the Razzie for her
performance, and was nominated for the Kids' Choice Awards, USA - Blimp
Award as Favorite movie Actress
2005 Their Eyes Were Watching God Janie Starks
Robots Cappy (Voice)
2006 X-Men: The Last Stand Ororo Munroe / Storm
2007 Perfect Stranger Rowena Price
Things We Lost in the Fire Audrey Burke October 19 2007
2008 Class Act Tierney Cahill Upcoming
Who is Doris Payne? Doris Payne Upcoming
Award chronology
Awards
Preceded by
Helen Mirren
for The Passion of Ayn Rand Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead
Actress - Miniseries or a Movie
2000
for Introducing Dorothy Dandridge Succeeded by
Judy Davis
for Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows
Preceded by
Angelina Jolie
for Gia Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Mini-series or Motion
Picture Made for Television
2000
for Introducing Dorothy Dandridge Succeeded by
Judi Dench
for The Last of the Blonde Bombshells
Preceded by
Julia Roberts
for Erin Brockovich Academy Award for Best Actress
2001
for Monster's Ball Succeeded by
Nicole Kidman
for The Hours
Preceded by
Lisa Barlow Miss Ohio USA
1986 Succeeded by
Hallie Bonnell
Preceded by
Brenda Denton Miss USA World
1986 Succeeded by
Clotilde Cabrera
Preceded by
Denise Richards Bond girl
2002 Succeeded by
Eva Green
References
1. ^ Although a 1968 birthdate is found in Britannica, NYTimes and MSN, she
stated in interviews prior to August 2006 that she would turn 40 then. See:
FemaleFirst, DarkHorizons, FilmMonthly, and see also CBS.
2. ^ Halle Berry looking for X factor. Retrieved on 2007-02-07.
3. ^ Ancestry of Halle Berry. Geneology.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-07.
4. ^ http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/01/28/1043534043252.html?oneclick=true
5. ^ Pageant Almanac - Miss USA 1986 Scores
6. ^ Halle Berry – Oscar winning actress and Type 1 diabetic. Retrieved on
2007-02-07.
7. ^ Berry: Ripe for success. BBC-News (25 March 2002). Retrieved on
2007-02-19.
8. ^ http://www.angelanissel.com/images/press/Variety.jpg
9. ^ http://www.maximonline.com/girls_of_maxim/pictures_and_bio/368/HalleBerry.girl?src=wiki
10. ^ "Halle Berry polled worlds most fabulous 40-something celeb",
AndhraNews.net.
11. ^ Halle Berry reveals suicide attempt. CNN (March 29, 2007). Retrieved
on 2007-03-30.
12. ^ a b Second Chance at Love. US Online (July 14, 2006). Retrieved on
2007-02-07.
13. ^ Halle Berry: Sex and the Single X-Woman. Retrieved on 2007-02-07.
14. ^ Halle Berry: "I'll Never Marry Again". Retrieved on 2007-02-07.
15. ^ Halle Berry's position on Racial Discrimination
16. ^ Touré (January 20, 2001), Portrait of a Lady. USA Weekend.com.
Accessed 2007-04-02.
17. ^ Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Hollywood Walk of Fame Recent
Ceremonies. Retrieved on 2007-04-04.
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