Renowned actress Halle Berry turns 58! With a host of films under her belt that have earned her many awards, including an Oscar for Best Actress, her illustrious career spanning three decades is nothing short of an iconic journey. Here are her 10 greatest roles as an actress that showcase her acting range – from action films to emotional tragedies, there’s something for everyone.
Leticia Musgrove in Monster’s Ball (2001)
That role, which earned Berry an Oscar (making her the first woman of color to receive the honor), speaks volumes about why the star is considered someone with great emotional range. In Monster’s Ball, a racist prison guard falls in love with the widow of the man he helped execute, setting up the conflict-based premise. The film also went deep into tracing Leticia’s tragedy, and Berry’s performance is one of her best ever.
Dorothy Dandridge in “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge” (1999)
This biopic covers the life and times of the Hollywood actress of the same name, who was an African-American film star who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. This 1999 film gives viewers a personal look into Dandridge’s life while shedding light on the racism that was prevalent in America in the 1950s. Berry won an Emmy and a Golden Ball for her performance.
Storm in the X-Men series
Berry proved to be a fan favorite in this career-defining role in Bryan Singer’s original X-Men. The film featured an ensemble cast including Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Anna Paquin and others and was a huge hit at the time of its release and remains hugely popular nearly 2 decades after its release.
She continues to appear in this verse, including X-Men: Days of Future Past. Storm is one of her best performances of her career.
Jinx in Die Another Day (2002)
Berry’s entry into the Bond universe is a tough one. In this action film, she plays an NSA agent who is tasked with killing North Korean agent Zao.
Audrey Burke in “Things We Lost in the Fire” (2007)
The film deals with themes of grief and loss, which are wonderfully captured by the lead actors Berry and Benicio Del Toro. Berry’s Audrey has to cope with the death of her husband and decides to invite one of his friends into her house to get through the difficult times. The actress proves once again that she can give her characters emotional depth.
Nina in Bulworth (1998)
This is a political comedy in which Berry stars alongside Warren Beatty, who also directed and wrote the screenplay for the film. The film is considered one of the best political satires of all time, making it a must-see for fans of the genre. Berry plays the role of Nina, a black activist who enters into a romantic relationship with the titular senator.
Vivian in Jungle Fever (1991)
Considered Berry’s breakthrough, Jungle Fever tells the story of a black architect who begins an affair with an Italian secretary that is not approved by family and community. The film deals with themes of race, class, and the complexities of an interracial relationship in American society.
Sofia in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)
As a newcomer to the John Wick universe, Berry plays the manager of the Casablanca branch of the Continental Hotel quite flawlessly and proves to be an ally of Keanu’s title character.
Jocasta Ayrs/Luisa Rey/Meronym in Cloud Atlas (2012)
This is Berry’s standout performance, where she plays multiple characters due to the time jumps integrated into the plot.
Sarah in The Call (2013)
Berry is a seasoned telephone operator who answers an emergency call and finds herself in a life-threatening situation. Her acting shines in this gripping thriller.
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Halle Berry
