Jennifer Hudson
Known for
Born in Chicago in 1981, Jennifer Hudson rose to fame as a contestant on 'American Idol' before becoming one of the most awarded voices and actresses of her generation. Her overwhelming portrayal of Effie White in the musical 'Dreamgirls' (2006) earned her the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in her very film debut. On a par with her musical career, crowned by a Grammy Award, she has developed a solid acting side in films such as 'Sex and the City', 'The Secret Life of Bees' and 'Respect', where she played Aretha Franklin. Possessed of a prodigious voice and an emotive presence, she has managed to carry to the screen the same overwhelming force of her singing.
Jennifer Hudson
25 Movies
2 Series
Born in Chicago in 1981, Jennifer Hudson rose to fame as a contestant on 'American Idol' before becoming one of the most awarded voices and actresses of her generation. Her overwhelming portrayal of Effie White in the musical 'Dreamgirls' (2006) earned her the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in her very film debut. On a par with her musical career, crowned by a Grammy Award, she has developed a solid acting side in films such as 'Sex and the City', 'The Secret Life of Bees' and 'Respect', where she played Aretha Franklin. Possessed of a prodigious voice and an emotive presence, she has managed to carry to the screen the same overwhelming force of her singing.
Movies
Plays Louise Harris (voice)
GOAT
2026
Plays Lilian Ledes (voice)
PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie
2026
Plays Young Nana (voice)
Sing
2016
Plays Louise
Sex and the City
2008
Plays Effie White
Dreamgirls
2006
Plays Grizabella
Cats
2019
Producer
Plays Aretha Franklin
Respect
2021
Plays Sister Rosemary
The Three Stooges
2012
Plays Maya
Breathe
2024
Plays Rosaleen Daise
The Secret Life of Bees
2008
Plays Kathy Archenault
Winged Creatures
2009
Plays Maggie
Call Me Crazy: A Five Film
2013
Plays Courtney Clarke
Sandy Wexler
2017
Plays Mrs. Harmon
Monster
2021
Plays Ophelia the Owl (voice)
Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk
2027
Plays Irene
Chi-Raq
2015
Plays Winnie Mandela
Winnie Mandela
2011
Plays Gloria
The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete
2013
Plays Pepcy / Kim
Tell It Like a Woman
2022
Plays Nurse Carrie
Lullaby
2014
Plays Naima
Black Nativity
2013
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie
Full Filmography
Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk
Ophelia the Owl (voice)
2027
Film
PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie
Lilian Ledes (voice)
2026
Film
GOAT
Louise Harris (voice)
2026
Film
Josh Groban & Friends: Home for the Holidays
Self
2024
Film
Breathe
Maya
2024
Film
Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
Mane (voice) · 1 episode
2023
TV
Tell It Like a Woman
Pepcy / Kim
2022
Film
Respect
Aretha Franklin
2021
Film
Monster
Mrs. Harmon
2021
Film
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Jennifer Hudson and where are they from?
Jennifer Hudson is 44 years old, born on September 12, 1981 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
What are the most famous roles of Jennifer Hudson?
Jennifer Hudson is best known for roles in Sing, Sex and the City, Dreamgirls.
How many movies has Jennifer Hudson been in?
Over a 20-year career (since 2006), Jennifer Hudson has appeared in 23 movies and 2 TV shows.
What was Jennifer Hudson's first movie?
The career of Jennifer Hudson began with The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (2006).
What is Jennifer Hudson's most recent movie or series?
Jennifer Hudson's most recent release is PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie, which premiered on July 23, 2026.
What TV shows has Jennifer Hudson appeared in?
On television, Jennifer Hudson has appeared in Empire, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Graham Norton Show, The Voice.
Does Jennifer Hudson have any upcoming projects?
Yes, Jennifer Hudson's upcoming work includes: Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk (2027).
Jennifer Hudson
1981-09-12 · Chicago, Illinois, USA
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.