Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry continues to break down barriers with a multitude of critically acclaimed, diverse roles and continued success at the box office. For her brilliant performance in Monster’s Ball, she won an Oscar. Critics first took notice of Berry in her feature film debut in Jungle Fever. No stranger to accolades, Berry earned an Emmy, and Golden Globe for her extraordinary performance in “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.” Her film credits include the X-Men franchise, Perfect Stranger, and countless others. Berry has garnered praise not only for her leading roles, but also for her work with a range of charities.

Berry’s interest in show business came courtesy of her participation in a number of beauty pageants throughout her teens. At the age of 17, she appeared in the spotlight for the first time as the winner of the Miss Teen All-American Pageant, and subsequently became a model. Berry won her first professional acting gig on the TV series “Living Dolls,” and then appeared on “Knots Landing” before winning her first big-screen role in Spike Lee’s “Jungle Fever.” It was on the set of the film that she first earned her reputation for her full commitment to acting, reportedly refusing to bathe for weeks in preparation for her portrayal of a crack addict.

Following her film debut, Berry was cast opposite Eddie Murphy in “Boomerang” as the comedian’s love interest; not only did she hold her own against Murphy, but the same year she did acclaimed work in the title role of the Alex Haley miniseries “Queen,” playing a young woman struggling against the brutal conditions of slavery. After a comedic turn as sultry secretary Sharon Stone in the 1994 live-action version of “The Flintstones,” Berry returned to more serious fare with her role in the adoption drama “Losing Isaiah.”

Critical opinion of the actress’ work was overwhelmingly favorable in 1998, when she starred as a street smart young woman who comes to the aid of a bumbling politician in Warren Beatty’s “Bullworth.” The following year, Berry won even greater acclaim — and an Emmy and Golden Globe — for her turn as tragic screen siren Dorothy Dandridge in the made-for-cable “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.” That same year, she starred as Storm in Bryan Singer’s hugely successful adaptation of “The X-Men.” Working alongside a cast that included Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, Famke Janssen, and Anna Paquin, Berry was hailed for her work as the first African-American comic book heroine on the screen.

Berry earned wide critical praise for her work in “Monster’s Ball,” as well as Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for Best Actress. And though she may have lost out to Sissy Spacek in the Golden Globes, her night at the Oscars found Berry the favored performer as took home a statue for Best Actress. A momentous footnote in Academy Award history, Berry’s win marked the first time an African American had been bestowed that particular honor.

Diagnosed with diabetes at age 19, Berry has never let her health stop her astronomic success – she’s an Oscar winner after all. Berry has long promoted a healthy lifestyle, citing that “being active and healthy” is a key part of managing her condition. Just as any acting role requires research, preparation, and focus – Berry shows how the same dedication to health can help prevent larger issues down the road.