Mo'Nique

Mo'Nique, born as Monique Angela Hicks (née Imes), is a renowned American stand-up comedian and actress, greatly distinguished for her acting prowess and comedic talent. She was born on December 11, 1967, in Woodlawn, Baltimore County, Maryland. Notably recognized mononymously as Mo'Nique, she embraces different roles serving multiple occupations as a comedian, actress, talk show host, and author. Mo'Nique kicked off her stand-up comedy career as a member of The Queens of Comedy and subsequently ventured into mainstream film and television. She famously portrayed Nicole "Nikki" Parker in the UPN series The Parkers and appeared in films like Phat Girlz and Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins. Her dazzling performance in the film Precious won her numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, making her the fourth African-American woman to hold this honor. Mo'Nique is not only a successful actress but also an acclaimed author. Before her rise to fame, she worked as a customer service representative at MCI, a phone company, in Hunt Valley, Maryland. Throughout her career and personal life, she has boldly stood up against adversities and made significant contributions to the film industry.