Jennifer Hudson
Born: 1981-09-12 in Chicago, Illinois, USA
Known For: Acting
Biography
Jennifer Kate Hudson (born September 12, 1981), also known by her nickname J.Hud, is an American singer, actress, and talk show host. Hudson rose to fame in 2004 as a finalist on the third season of American Idol, placing seventh. She made her film debut as Effie White in the musical Dreamgirls (2006), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, becoming the youngest African-American to win in a competitive acting category. After signing to Arista Records, Hudson released her self-titled debut studio album in 2008, which was certified Gold in the US and the UK, and won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. Hudson's subsequent studio albums, I Remember Me (2011) and JHUD (2014), both charted within the top ten of the Billboard 200, with the former also being certified Gold in the US. Meanwhile, her other acting roles include the films Sex and the City (2008), The Secret Life of Bees (2008), Winnie Mandela (2011), Black Nativity (2013), Sing (2016), Cats (2019) and Respect (2021), the television shows Smash (2012), Empire (2015) and Confirmation (2016), and her Broadway debut with the musical The Color Purple. Hudson also contributed as a coach on the UK and the US version of The Voice from 2017 up to 2019, becoming the first female coach to win the former.
Filmography
2026
- GOAT as Louise Harris (voice)
- PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie as (voice)
- Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk as Ophelia the owl (voice)
2025
- The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl as Self
- 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony as Self
- Grace for the World as Self
- Diane Warren: Relentless as Self
2024
2023
- Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur as Mane (voice)
- Christmas at Graceland as Self
2022
- The Jennifer Hudson Show as Self - Host
- Sherri as Self - Guest
- Tell It Like a Woman as Pepcy / Kim
2021
- Respect as Aretha Franklin
- Baba Yaga as Forest (voice)
- Roll Up Your Sleeves as Self
- Monster as Mrs. Harmon
- 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony as Self
2020
- Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special as Self
- The Disney Family Singalong - Volume II as Self
- One World: Together at Home as Self
- In Search of the Sanderson Sisters: A Hocus Pocus Hulaween Takeover as Jennifer Hudson
- Global Goal: Unite for Our Future | The Concert as Self
2019
- Cats as Grizabella
- HOMECOMING: A film by Beyoncé as Self
- Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons" as Herself
- Aretha! A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul as Self
2018
- Q85: A Musical Celebration for Quincy Jones as Self
- Happy Hour with Olly Murs as Self
2017
- Sandy Wexler as Courtney Clarke
- A Very Pentatonix Christmas as Self
- Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives as Self
2016
- Sing as Young Nana (voice)
- Hairspray Live! as Motormouth Maybelle
- Confirmation as Angela Wright
- Forensic Justice as Self (archive footage)
2015
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as Self
- The Late Late Show with James Corden as Self
- Empire as Michelle White
- Celebrity Family Feud as Self - Contestant
- Chi-Raq as Irene
2014
- Late Night with Seth Meyers as Self
- And the Oscar Goes To... as Self - Interviewee
- The Concert for Valor as Self - Performer
- Lullaby as Nurse Carrie
2013
- Black Nativity as Naima
- Call Me Crazy: A Five Film as Maggie
- The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete as Gloria
2012
- The Voice as Jennifer Hudson
- Smash as Veronica Moore
- The Voice UK as Self - Coach
- The Three Stooges as Sister Rosemary
- Always Whitney Houston as Self
- Whitney Houston: We Will Always Love You as Self
2011
- The Voice as Self - Coach
- The Jonathan Ross Show as Self
- Winnie Mandela as Winnie Mandela
- Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade as Self
- VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul as Self
2009
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen as Self - Guest
- Winged Creatures as Kathy Archenault
- Michael Jackson Memorial as Self
- VH1 Divas 2009 as Self
- DJ Juice: The King is Back Mixtape Blend DVD Vol. 70 as Self (archive footage)
- Jennifer Hudson: I'll Be Home for Christmas as Self
2008
- Sex and the City as Louise
- The Secret Life of Bees as Rosaleen Daise
2007
- The Graham Norton Show as Self
- Elmo's Christmas Countdown as Self
2006
- Dreamgirls as Effie White
- The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas as Jewel
2004
- Project Runway as Self - Guest Judge
2003
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! as Self
- The Ellen DeGeneres Show as Self
2002
- American Idol as Self
- Live from E! as Self
1999
- The Early Show as Self
1997
- The View as Self
1988
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark as Self - Guest
1984
- MTV Video Music Awards as Self
1981
- Entertainment Tonight as Self
1973
- The American Film Institute Salute to ... as Self - Musical Guest
1959
- The Grammys as Self
1956
- Tony Awards as Self - Presenter
1953
- The Oscars as Self
1952
- Today as Self
1944
- Golden Globe Awards as Self - Presenter