Halle Berry as Leticia Musgrove in 2001's 'Monster's Ball.' Berry's gut-wrenching performance as a woman struggling with grief after a family tragedy earned her an Oscar at the 74th Academy Awards, making her the first Black woman to ever take home the trophy for Best Actress. | The Academy

Halle Berry, who celebrates her 54th birthday today, became the first African American woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. | Biography

She's Catwoman, she's Storm, she's so much more - wishing the happiest of birthdays to Halle Berry! | Rotten Tomatoes

Halle Berry directs and stars in 'Bruised' in select theaters and on Netflix November 24th. | Rotten Tomatoes

Halle Berry couldn't speak for 30 seconds after being named Best Actress for Monster's Ball at the 74th Academy Awards on March 24, 2002. She sobbed through the standing ovation. When she reached the microphone, she dedicated the award to Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, and Diahann Carroll. She remains the only Black woman to win Best Actress. Over 20 years. Still the only one. Berry's speech ran four minutes and is the most emotionally raw acceptance in Oscar history. She named the women who sho