In 1998, Berry received praise for her role in as an intelligent woman raised by activists who gives a politician a new lease on life.
The part proved prophetic when Berry became the first black actress to win that coveted award in 2002 for her unglamorous turn as a woman coping with a husband on death row in Monster's Ball.
She was formerly married to baseball player , singer-songwriter , and actor.
She'll deliver an award-worthy turn in one movie and give a shaky performance in the next.