The Fabulous Mo'Nique

The career of funny-girl Mo'nique began in her early 20s, when she took to the improv comedy stage on a dare from her brother. The impulsive decision met with success, and she began to pursue a career in stand-up comedy, eventually performing on such renowned shows as Def Comedy Jam, Showtime at the Apollo, and Snaps.

Mo'nique's big break came in 1999, when she landed her own sitcom, starring on UPN's The Parkers as a single mom attending college alongside her daughter. She was 32 years old, and the days when she was working at the phone company in her home town of Baltimore were about to seem very far away. The critical and commercial success of The Parkers led to a slew of awards and movie roles, including Two Can Play That Game, Baby Boy, Half Past Dead, Shadowboxer, Domino, and Soul Plane.