Halle Berry’s Career Highlights

By Corey Atad. 14 Aug 2023 1:09 PM

Born Maria Halle Berry in Cleveland, Ohio on August 14, 1966, Halle Berry is one of the most important and most successful stars in Hollywood. From humble beginnings, raised by a single mother, to lighting up the Oscars stage as the first Black winner of the Best Actress prize, Berry has made movie history, and then some.

From in front of the cameras to behind the lens, take a trip back with ET Canada through Berry’s extraordinary career.

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Miss World Contestant
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Before taking the acting world by storm, Berry was a phenom on the beauty pageant scene. In 1986, she was the first runner-up in the Miss USA competition, and went on to compete as the first African-American entrant in the Miss World pageant, coming in sixth place.
'Living Dolls'
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After moving to New York in the late-80s to pursue an acting career, Berry landed her first role in the short-lived series "Living Dolls", a spin-off of the classic sitcom "Who's the Boss?".

Berry played model Emily Franklin in the show, which was cancelled after just 12 episodes, prompting her to move to Los Angeles.
The Breakthrough Year
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In 1991, Berry made her film debut, with a small role in Spike Lee's "Jungle Fever".

That same year, the actress also starred in the comedy "Strictly Business", and appeared in the Damon Wayans-Bruce Willis buddy cop comedy "The Last Boy Scout".
'Boomerang'
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Berry gained even more recognition playing a career woman who falls for Eddie Murphy in the hit romantic comedy "Boomerang".
Moving To Bedrock
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In 1994, Berry appeared in the live-action film adaptation of the classic cartoon "The Flinstones", playing the sultry secretary Sharon Stone, bringing her even more attention from audiences around the world.
Star On The Rise
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After "The Flinstones", Berry's stock continued to rise. In 1995, she starred opposite Jessica Lange as a former drug addict trying to get back custody of her son in "Losing Isaiah", and in 1996 she starred in the action-thriller "Executive Decision" opposite Kurt Russell.

Berry also became a spokeswoman for Revlon in 1996.
'Introducing Dorothy Dandridge'
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Following a string of acclaimed roles in films like "Bulworth" and "Why Do Fools Fall In Love", Berry took on a part that foreshadowed where her own career would be headed.

In 1999 she starred in the HBO film "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge", playing the iconic African-American actress, the first to be nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars. Berry won both Emmy and Golden Globe awards for her performance.
'X-Men'
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In 2000, Berry reached global superstar status, starring in the blockbuster superhero movie "X-Men", in which she played the mutant Storm.

She went on to appear in three more "X-Men" films through 2014.
'Swordfish'
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Berry followed up "X-Men" by appearing in the hit action thriller "Swordfish, playing an undercover DEA agent trying to take gang of bank robbers, alongside fellow "X-Men" star Hugh Jackman, and John Travolta.
'Monster's Ball'
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In 2001, Berry took on one of her biggest, most complicated and controversial roles, in the drama "Monster's Ball", in which she played a woman who begins a relationship with the racist corrections officer, played by Billy Bob Thornton, who executed her husband.

Berry made history with the film, becoming the first Black woman to win Best Actress at the Oscars for her performance.
Oscars History
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In 2002, Halle Berry made movie history, becoming the first—and to date only—Black woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress, for her searing performance in the drama "Monster's Ball".

"This moment is so much bigger than me," Berry said in her acceptance speech. "This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll. It's for the women that stand beside me, Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, Vivica Fox. And it's for every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened."
'Catwoman'
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After her Oscar win, Berry took on a number of roles in a variety of films, including playing Bond girl Jinx in 2002's "Die Another Day".

But no film of hers was more notorious than the superhero flop "Catwoman", for which she won the Razzie Award for Worst Actress.

Berry took the prize in good spirits, attending the Razzies in person to accept the award while also holding her Oscar.

"I never in my life thought that I would be up here, winning a Razzie!" she said in her speech. "It's not like I ever aspired to be here, but thank you. When I was a kid, my mother told me that if you could not be a good loser, then there's no way you could be a good winner."
'Frankie & Alice'
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Berry once again earned awards attention for her performance in the 2010 drama "Frankie & Alice", in which she played a woman struggling with dissociative identity disorder.

She was nominated for Best Actress at the Golden Globes for her performance.
'John Wick: Chapter 3'
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The actress showed off her impressive action chops, appearing alongside Keanu Reeves in the sequel "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum", inspiring talk about a potential spin-off centred on her assassin character Sofia.
Director Halle Berry
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In 2020, Berry made a big move, getting behind the camera to direct herself in the drama "Bruised", about a disgraced MMA fighter trying to reconnect with her estranged son.
'Moonfall'
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In Berry's most recently released movie, the actress literally took on the Moon in the 2022 epic, blockbuster sci-fi movie "Moonfall", co-starring Patrick Wilson and directed by Roland Emmerich.
rē-spin
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In 2020, during the pandemic, Halle Berry launched her fitness and wellness brand Re-spin.

"My health journey started when I was diagnosed with diabetes at 22 years old, it was a moment I’ll never forget. Inspired by this, I launched rē-spin through my own health transformation and desire to connect with others through health, wellness, and spirituality. At this moment, the need to rē-think everything we thought we knew is more important now than ever. So today, I am sharing rē-spin with you…and invite you to join our community," Berry says on the brand's website.

rē-spin does everything from publishing recipes and fitness advice, to selling wellness products, home decor and more.
'The Mothership'
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Halle Berry will next be seen in the film "The Mothership", co-starring Molly Parker.

In the film, Berry plays Sara Morse, a woman whose husband mysteriously disappears. One year later, she discovers an extraterrestrial object underneath their home, sending Sara and her kids on a race to find her husband and the truth behind the mystery.
'Our Man From Jersey'
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Halle Berry will be starring alongside Mark Wahlberg in the upcoming action-thriller "Our Man from Jersey", about a New Jersey construction worker thrust into the world of super spies when he is recruited by his high school ex-girlfriend.
'Never Let Go'
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Berry is also set to star in the horror-thriller "Never Let Go", from director Alexandre Aja, about a family haunted for years by an evil spirit, but that all comes into question when one of her children wonders if the evil is even real.

Halle Berry’s Career Highlights

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