Mo'Nique

A stand-up comic turned actress and talk-show host, Mo'Nique was born Monique Imes in Woodlawn, Md., on Dec. 11, 1967, and launched her comedy career when her brother dared her to take the stage during an open mike night. She added an apostrophe to her first name to "boost her fabulousness."

Mo'Nique's plus-sized persona and everywoman appeal has served her well in sitcoms such as "The Parkers," big-screen comedies such as Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins (2008) and outrageous reality fare such as "Mo'Nique's Fat Chance."

But critics cocked an ear when Mo'Nique stripped away all pretense to play an abusive parent in 2009's Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire. Her shockingly raw performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, the Special Jury Prize at Sundance and a slew of other awards and honors that includes her first Golden Globe and BAFTA wins.

Filmography