Jennifer Hudson
Acting Born Sep 12, 1981 Chicago, Illinois, USA 111 credits
Biography
Jennifer Kate Hudson, also known by her nickname J.Hud, is an American actress, singer, and talk show host born on September 12, 1981, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Active in both movies and television shows, Hudson is credited with ninety-eight known credits in the acting category on The Movie Database. Her career encompasses extensive work in the entertainment industry, establishing her as a prominent media personality and performer with roots in Chicago. Her professional profile spans music, television hosting, and film acting, supported by a substantial body of known performance credits across multiple media formats.
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Career overview
Jennifer Kate Hudson, also known by the nickname J.Hud, was born on September 12, 1981, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. She 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, where she placed seventh.
Following her time on American Idol, she made her film debut as Effie White in the 2006 musical Dreamgirls. For her performance, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, which made her the youngest African-American to win in a competitive acting category.
As a recording artist, Hudson signed to Arista Records and released her self-titled debut studio album in 2008. The album was certified Gold in the United States and the United Kingdom, and it won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. Her subsequent studio albums include I Remember Me, released in 2011, and JHUD. Throughout her career, she has accumulated 98 known acting credits on the Movie Database platform, establishing a prominent presence in both film and television.
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Frequent co-stars
Snoop Dogg
3 shared titles
Meghan Trainor
2 shared titles
Alicia Keys
2 shared titles
Nick Kroll
2 shared titles
Ryan Seacrest
2 shared titles
Mariah Carey
2 shared titles
Scarlett Johansson
2 shared titles
Eddie Murphy
2 shared titles
Derek Hough
1 shared title
Cedric the Entertainer
1 shared title
Career timeline
Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk
GOATPAW Patrol: The Dino MovieThe 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy
The Lion King at the Hollywood BowlDiane Warren: Relentless2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction CeremonyGrace for the World
BreatheAmerican Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special92nd Annual Christmas in Rockefeller CenterJosh Groban & Friends: Home for the HolidaysChristmas with Andrea Bocelli & Friends: A Grammy Holiday Special
Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil DinosaurThe Color Purple · SongsChristmas at Graceland
The Jennifer Hudson ShowThe Jennifer Hudson Show · Executive ProducerThe Jennifer Hudson Show · CreatorSherriTell It Like a Woman
RespectRespect · Executive ProducerRespect · SongsMonsterRoll Up Your Sleeves
Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas SpecialOne World: Together at HomeThe Disney Family Singalong - Volume IIIn Search of the Sanderson Sisters: A Hocus Pocus Hulaween TakeoverGlobal Goal: Unite for Our Future | The Concert
The Kelly Clarkson ShowCatsHOMECOMING: A film by BeyoncéLive in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons"Aretha! A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul
American IdolHappy Hour with Olly MursQ85: A Musical Celebration for Quincy Jones
Sandy WexlerClive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our LivesA Very Pentatonix Christmas
Forensic JusticeSingHairspray Live!Hairspray Live! · SongsConfirmation
The Late Show with Stephen ColbertThe Late Show with Stephen ColbertThe Late Show with Stephen ColbertThe Late Late Show with James CordenEmpire
Late Night with Seth MeyersLate Night with Seth MeyersAnd the Oscar Goes To...LullabyThe Concert for Valor
Call Me Crazy: A Five FilmThe Inevitable Defeat of Mister & PeteBlack Nativity
SmashThe VoiceThe Voice UKThe Three StoogesAlways Whitney Houston
The VoiceThe VoiceThe Jonathan Ross ShowWinnie MandelaDisney Parks Christmas Day Parade
Watch What Happens Live with Andy CohenWinged CreaturesJennifer Hudson: I'll Be Home for ChristmasVH1 Divas 2009Michael Jackson Memorial
Sex and the CityThe Secret Life of BeesLive from the Red Carpet: Sex and the City
The Graham Norton ShowElmo's Christmas Countdown
DreamgirlsThe Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Project Runway
Jimmy Kimmel Live!The Ellen DeGeneres Show
American IdolAmerican IdolAmerican IdolAmerican IdolLive from E!
The Early Show
The ViewThe View
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
MTV Video Music Awards
Entertainment Tonight
Full filmography
- Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk (2027) as Ophelia the owl (voice)
- GOAT (2026) as Louise Harris (voice)
- PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie (2026) as (voice)
- The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy (2026) as Self
- The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl (2025) as Self
- Diane Warren: Relentless (2025) as Self
- 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (2025) as Self
- Grace for the World (2025) as Self
- Breathe (2024) as Maya
- American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special (2024) as Self
- 92nd Annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center (2024) as Self
- Josh Groban & Friends: Home for the Holidays (2024) as Self
- Christmas with Andrea Bocelli & Friends: A Grammy Holiday Special (2024)
- Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2023) as Mane (voice)
- The Color Purple (2023) Songs
- Christmas at Graceland (2023) as Self
- The Jennifer Hudson Show (2022) as Self - Host
- The Jennifer Hudson Show (2022) Executive Producer
- The Jennifer Hudson Show (2022) Creator
- Sherri (2022) as Self - Guest
- Tell It Like a Woman (2022) as Pepcy / Kim
- Respect (2021) as Aretha Franklin
- Respect (2021) Executive Producer
- Respect (2021) Songs
- Monster (2021) as Mrs. Harmon
- Roll Up Your Sleeves (2021) as Self
- Baba Yaga (2021) as Forest (voice)
- Baba Yaga (2021) Executive Producer
- 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (2021) as Self
- Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special (2020) as Self
- One World: Together at Home (2020) as Self
- The Disney Family Singalong - Volume II (2020) as Self
- In Search of the Sanderson Sisters: A Hocus Pocus Hulaween Takeover (2020) as Jennifer Hudson
- Global Goal: Unite for Our Future | The Concert (2020) as Self
- The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019) as Self
- Cats (2019) as Grizabella
- HOMECOMING: A film by Beyoncé (2019) as Self
- Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons" (2019) as Self
- Aretha! A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul (2019) as Self
- American Idol (2018) as Self - Guest Judge
- Happy Hour with Olly Murs (2018) as Self
- Q85: A Musical Celebration for Quincy Jones (2018) as Self
- Sandy Wexler (2017) as Courtney Clarke
- Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives (2017) as Self
- A Very Pentatonix Christmas (2017) as Self
- Forensic Justice (2016) as Self (archive footage)
- Sing (2016) as Young Nana (voice)
- Hairspray Live! (2016) as Motormouth Maybelle
- Hairspray Live! (2016) Songs
- Confirmation (2016) as Angela Wright
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015) as Self
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015)
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015) as Self - Guest
- The Late Late Show with James Corden (2015) as Self
- Empire (2015) as Michelle White
- Celebrity Family Feud (2015) as Self - Contestant
- Chi-Raq (2015) as Irene
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self - Guest
- And the Oscar Goes To... (2014) as Self - Interviewee
- Lullaby (2014) as Nurse Carrie
- The Concert for Valor (2014) as Self - Performer
- Call Me Crazy: A Five Film (2013) as Maggie
- The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete (2013) as Gloria
- Black Nativity (2013) as Naima
- Smash (2012) as Veronica Moore
- The Voice (2012) as Jennifer Hudson
- The Voice UK (2012) as Self - Coach
- The Three Stooges (2012) as Sister Rosemary
- Always Whitney Houston (2012) as Self
- Whitney Houston: We Will Always Love You (2012) as Self
- The Voice (2011) as Self - Coach
- The Voice (2011) as Self - Mentor
- The Jonathan Ross Show (2011) as Self
- Winnie Mandela (2011) as Winnie Mandela
- Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade (2011) as Self
- VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul (2011) as Self
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (2009) as Self - Guest
- Winged Creatures (2009) as Kathy Archenault
- Jennifer Hudson: I'll Be Home for Christmas (2009) as Self
- VH1 Divas 2009 (2009) as Self
- Michael Jackson Memorial (2009) as Self
- DJ Juice: The King is Back Mixtape Blend DVD Vol. 70 (2009) as Self (archive footage)
- Sex and the City (2008) as Louise
- The Secret Life of Bees (2008) as Rosaleen Daise
- Live from the Red Carpet: Sex and the City (2008) as Self
- The Graham Norton Show (2007) as Self
- Elmo's Christmas Countdown (2007) as Self
- Dreamgirls (2006) as Effie White
- The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (2006) as Jewel
- Project Runway (2004) as Self - Guest Judge
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self
- The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) as Self
- American Idol (2002) as Self
- American Idol (2002) as Self - Musical Guest
- American Idol (2002) as Self - Contestant
- American Idol (2002) as Self - Performer
- Live from E! (2002) as Self
- The Early Show (1999) as Self
- The View (1997) as Self
- The View (1997) as Self - Guest
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992)
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark (1988) as Self - Guest
- MTV Video Music Awards (1984) as Self
- Entertainment Tonight (1981) as Self
- The American Film Institute Salute to ... (1973) as Self - Musical Guest
- The Grammys (1959) as Self
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Today (1952) as Self
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Presenter
- The Making of 'Sex and the City' as Self