Mo'Nique American actress Date of Birth: 11.12.1967 Country: USA

1. Biography of Mo'Nique
2. Early Career
3. Television Career
4. Film Career
5. Precious and Awards Success
6. Other Endeavors
7. Writing and Theatre

Biography of Mo'Nique

Mo'Nique, born Monique Angela Hicks, is an American actress. She was born in Woodlawn, Maryland, and is the youngest of four children to engineer Alice Imes and her husband Steven Imes. After graduating from high school, Mo'Nique attended Morgan State University.

Early Career

Before her acting career took off, Mo'Nique worked in a phone sex service. However, she discovered her talent for comedy in Baltimore, where she performed at nightclubs. Encouraged by her brother, she began actively pursuing stand-up comedy and gained some recognition in the field.

Television Career

Mo'Nique gained widespread fame after starring in the UPN sitcom "The Parkers." The show aired from 1999 to 2004 and her role as Nikki Parker became her most well-known as an actress. During this time, Mo'Nique also appeared on popular television shows such as "Def Comedy Jam" and "Thank God You're Here."

Film Career

Mo'Nique's film career started later than her television career. She initially took on supporting roles, including in the film "Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins" alongside Martin Lawrence. In 2005, she played a significant role in Tony Scott's thriller "Domino" alongside Keira Knightley and Mickey Rourke. In 2006, Mo'Nique landed the lead role in the comedy film "Phat Girlz," where she portrayed a talented designer struggling with obesity and searching for love and acceptance.

Precious and Awards Success

One of Mo'Nique's most significant works to date is the film "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire." Released in 2009, the film received critical acclaim, and Mo'Nique garnered numerous awards for her role, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Golden Globe, and a British Academy Film Award. She became the sixteenth African-American actress to receive an Oscar nomination and the fourth to win the award.

Other Endeavors

In addition to her acting career, Mo'Nique has hosted her own talk show, "The Mo'Nique Show," on BET since 2009. She also serves as the host of the beauty pageant competition "Mo'Nique's Fat Chance" on the Oxygen cable channel. Mo'Nique released a documentary film in 2007 titled "I Coulda Been Your Cellmate!" which explores the reasons why women end up in prison.

Writing and Theatre

Mo'Nique has also ventured into writing, with her book "Skinny Women Are Evil: Notes of a Big Girl in a Small-Minded World" becoming a bestseller in 2004. Additionally, she has appeared in theatrical productions, with her debut being in the play "The Vagina Monologues" by Eve Ensler in March 2002.

With her accomplishments in film, television, comedy, and writing, Mo'Nique has established herself as a talented and versatile entertainer. She continues to be a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.