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She boasts a career with multiple roles, from singing, to producing and even hosting her own talk show, but Dana Elaine Owens, better known as Queen Latifah has also starred in a variety of successful films over the years.
By 1989, she released her first album and in 2009, upon dropping her seventh studio album, earned a Grammy for her single “Unity”.
Throughout her music career, the 52-year-old rapper began appearing in episodes of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Living Single alongside Kim Coles and Erika Alexander. She was the host of the Queen Latifah Show from 1991 to 2001 but gained mainstream attention according to Celebrity Net Worth when she was cast in the award-winning musical film Chicago.
From there, Latifah has appeared in dozens of films and starred with friends and A-list actors. Check out the highest grossing films the Queen has landed since the early 90’s.
Chicago – $307 Million
In the famous Broadway musical turned film, Latifah plays the role of Matron “Mama” Morton, as two death-row murderesses, played by Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellweger vie for the attention of a questionable lawyer (Richard Gere). Nearly everyone in the film not only needed the acting chops but the ability to sing and dance as well, making Latifah an easy choice.
Scary Movie 3 – $221 Million
That’s right, even the Queen took her turn in the Scary Movie franchise as Aunt Shaneequa/The Oracle in the popular comedy. Latifah joined series regulars like Anna Faris, Charlie Sheen and others to make the film about an investigation of mysterious crop circles and video tapes. Comedy ensues with the cast of favorites and audiences flocked to see the third in the “scary” series.
Valentine’s Day – $217 Million
The popular rom-com series created by Director Garry Marshall features a host of couples and singles throughout their holiday. Latifah starred as Paula Thomas alongside Julia Roberts, Jamie Foxx and Anne Hathaway. According to IMBD, follow more than a dozen people through Los Angeles; the high school seniors, the single women, the married grandparents and every other walk of life through a day created for love connections.
Hairspray – $203 Million
In another Broadway hit turned musical film, Queen Latifah stars as Motormouth Maybelle, a confrontational and blunt woman, proud of the young teens and their outspoken nature in the early 1960’s. The star-studded cast, including John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer and Zac Efron as they struggle with integration and the gift of music and dance for everyone.
Bringing Down the House – $165 Million
A lonely businessman (Steve Martin) meets a woman on the internet. Unbeknownst to him, Charlene Morton (Latifah) has broken out of prison to convince him to prove her innocence. Havoc ensues as she turns his life upside down with her energetic and outgoing ways and in the process, he learns a thing or two about seizing opportunities in life.
The Bone Collector – $152 Million
One of the earlier films we see Latifah appear in, includes the role of Thelma in a movie about an ex-homicide detective (Denzel Washington) and his partner (Angelina Jolie) tracking down a serial killer in New York City. Latifah plays a nurse, caring for an individual in the last phase of life and she doesn’t hesitate to give Washington an attitude when he pushes her. According to Collider, the NBC series Lincoln is based off of a Bone Collector adaptation.
Miracles from Heaven – $74 Million
The film is based on the true story of the Beam family. Their young daughter has a near-death experience and is later cured of her incurable disease. Latifah stars as Angela, the calm and sensible one in a world where nothing makes sense for the Beam family. Jennifer Garner, Kylie Rogers and Martin Henderson look to characters like Angela to refocus their nervous and fearful energy.
The Dilemma – $70 Million
When two friends played by Vince Vaughn and Kevin James enter into a difficult situation – one finds his best friend’s wife having an affair, Latifah’s role as Susan Warner brings comedy and laughter into what otherwise could be considered a drama film. Sometimes the brotherly bond puts a man in a predicament and he needs some guidance.
Taxi – $69 Million
One of her most popular starring roles is that of Belle, a loud and feisty cab driver sharing information with a newly appointed cop on the job. The officer, played by comedian Jimmy Fallon, is trying to solve a series of New York City bank robberies and needs Latifah’s street smarts to do it.
Last Holiday – $43 Million
A woman diagnosed with a terminal illness throws caution to the wind, selling all of her possessions and living it up at a fancy hotel in Central Europe. Georgia Byrd (Latifah) learns a lot about living in the moment, romance and finding happiness. The 2006 rom-com has all the feels as she develops a relationship with a young man (LL Cool J) and special friends (Timothy Hutton).
Set It Off – $42 Million
It’s not her highest grossing film to date, but one of her most popular. Latifah plays Cleopatra “Cleo” Sims alongside Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A. Fox and Kimberly Elise as the four women plan and succeed in a bank robbery. Unfortunately, what once was a tight-knit group of inner-city friends, quickly becomes a tale of mistrust and backstabbing.
Beauty Shop – $37 Million
Let the hairstylist competition begin. Latifah plays determined hairstylist Gina Norris who challenges her former boss (Kevin Bacon) after opening her own business in Atlanta. Watch this star-studded cast enjoy each other’s comedy genius and the range of guests from Alicia Silverstone to Andie MacDowell.
Sources: Celebrity Net Worth, IMBD, Collider