Halle Berry is a famous actress known for winning big awards and starring in hit movies. She even made history as the first Black woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress. But while many people know about her Hollywood success, not many know about her father, Jerome Jesse Berry. His story was very different from hers and filled with struggles and challenges.
Who was Jerome Jesse Berry? What happened to him? Why was he not there for Halle as she grew up? Keep reading to find out. In this article, we will discuss Jerome’s early life, job, marriage, and why he and Halle’s mother separated. Let’s dive in and learn more!
Quick Facts About Jerome Jesse Berry
🎂 Born: August 7, 1934
🏡 Hometown: Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
👨👩👧👧 Children: Halle Berry, Heidi Berry-Henderson, Renee Berry
💼 Profession: Former U.S. Air Force serviceman, hospital attendant, bus driver
💍 Ex-Wife: Judith Ann Hawkins (divorced in 1970)
🚫 Relationship with Halle: Absent after divorce, never reconnected
🕊️ Passed Away: January 2003 (aged 68)
⚰ Cause of Death: Parkinson’s disease
Who Was Jerome Jesse Berry?
Jerome Jesse Berry was not a famous man, but his name became known because of his daughter, Halle Berry. He was born on August 7, 1934, in Clarksdale, Mississippi. His parents were Robert Kester Berry and Cora Lee Berry. Life was not easy for African-American families in the South at that time, and Jerome grew up facing many challenges.
Like many men of his time, Jerome worked hard to support his family. For some time, he served in the U.S. Air Force, where he learned discipline and life skills. But after leaving the military, he had to find new ways to earn a living. He started working as an attendant at a psychiatric hospital, where he met Judith Ann Hawkins, a nurse who later became his wife.
Jerome was a regular working man, but his personal struggles made life difficult. He battled alcohol addiction, which hurt his relationships with his family. His life was full of love, loss, and mistakes, and his story shaped Halle Berry’s journey.
Jerome’s Career and Work Life
Jerome Jesse Berry had a hard time finding a stable job. Like many others, he had to work hard to earn a living and support his family. He first worked as a hospital attendant at a psychiatric ward in Cleveland, Ohio, where he met Judith Ann Hawkins, a nurse who later became his wife.
After some time, Jerome changed jobs and started working as a bus driver for Bluebird Travel Lines. It wasn’t a fancy job, but it was honest work that helped him provide for his family. Even though he worked hard, he still struggled with money and faced personal problems, which made life tough for him.
Jerome’s work may not have been famous or well-known, but it was still important. He was just a regular man trying to do his best. Sadly, his struggles with alcohol and family issues made things harder for him. These problems affected his marriage and his relationship with his children.
Jerome Jesse Berry’s Family Life
Jerome’s love story with Judith Ann Hawkins started at the hospital where they both worked. He was a hospital attendant, and she was a nurse. They fell in love and decided to build a life together. They got married and had two daughters, Halle Berry and Heidi Berry-Henderson.
In the beginning, their family life seemed happy. They had a home, and their family was growing. But behind closed doors, things were not as perfect as they seemed. Jerome struggled with alcohol, and his behavior started causing problems in their marriage. Later, Halle Berry would talk about how her mother suffered because of him.
Even though Jerome had a family, he struggled to be a good father and husband. His personal issues put a lot of stress on the family, leading to a painful separation. After this, his relationship with his daughters was never the same.
Why Did Jerome and His Wife Divorce?
In 1970, after eight years of marriage, Jerome Jesse Berry and Judith Ann Hawkins decided to end their relationship. But their divorce wasn’t just because of personal differences—it was due to domestic violence.
Halle Berry has spoken openly about the abuse her mother suffered at the hands of her father. She has shared that she witnessed her father physically harming her mother, and as a child, she felt helpless and scared.
Because of this, Judith filed for divorce and took full responsibility for raising Halle and her sister alone. From that moment, Jerome’s role in their lives became smaller and smaller.
Jerome’s Absence from Halle Berry’s Life
After the divorce, Jerome disappeared from Halle’s life. He never contacted, visited, or tried to stay involved with his daughters. Halle has said that she never heard from her father again after the divorce.
For Halle, growing up without a father was tough. She had no father figure to guide her, support her, or be present in her big moments. She once said in an interview, “I haven’t heard from him since. Maybe he’s not even alive.”
Not having a father in her life shaped who she became. She grew up strong and independent, but she also struggled with feelings of guilt and sadness about her father’s choices.
Did Jerome Try to Reconnect with Halle?
One big question people ask is: Did Jerome ever try to fix his relationship with Halle? From everything we know, he did not.
There’s no record of him reaching out to apologize or make amends. His struggle with alcohol addiction may have kept him from doing so. Some believe he might have felt too ashamed or too distant to fix things.
Unfortunately, Halle and her father never had a chance to rebuild their relationship. By the time she was a successful actress, it was too late.
What Happened to Jerome Jesse Berry?
Jerome’s life after the divorce was quiet and unknown. He continued living in Ohio but struggled with health problems in his later years.
In January 2003, he passed away at Euclid General Hospital. His cause of death was Parkinson’s disease, a condition that affects movement and brain function. He was 68 years old when he died and was laid to rest in Cleveland Memorial Gardens.
Did Halle Berry Ever Forgive Her Father?
Although Jerome never tried to reconnect, Halle later found peace and forgiveness.
In 2019, she posted a rare photo of her father on Father’s Day, writing about how she finally understood and forgave him. She admitted that his struggles with addiction robbed them of a relationship, but she still believed he loved her.
Through therapy and personal growth, Halle chose to let go of the pain and focus on healing.
Halle Berry’s Life Now
Today, Halle Berry is one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses. She has won major awards, built a successful career, and continues to inspire women around the world.
Her childhood struggles shaped her into the strong woman she is today. She is also a mother, raising her children with the love and care she wished she had growing up.
Even though her father wasn’t present, she didn’t let that define her. Instead, she used it as motivation to become better, stronger, and more successful.
What Was Jerome Jesse Berry’s Net Worth?
Jerome was not a wealthy man. His financial situation was simple, and he didn’t have the success his daughter later achieved. Meanwhile, Halle Berry’s net worth is estimated at $90 million as of 2025.
Final Thoughts
Jerome Jesse Berry’s story is a sad but important one. He was a man who struggled with personal demons, lost his family, and never got the chance to fix things. But his story also teaches us about resilience, forgiveness, and personal growth.
Halle Berry’s journey is proof that we can rise above our past and build our own future. No matter where we come from, we can choose strength, healing, and success.
(FAQs)
How old was Jerome Jesse Berry?
Jerome Jesse Berry was born on August 7, 1934, and died in January 2003. He was 68 years old at the time of his death.
Who were Jerome Jesse Berry’s parents?
Jerome’s parents were Robert Kester Berry and Cora Lee Berry. He was born and raised in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Who was Jerome Jesse Berry’s wife?
Jerome was married to Judith Ann Hawkins, a psychiatric nurse. They met while working at a hospital in Cleveland, Ohio and later got married.
Did Jerome Jesse Berry have any children?
Yes, Jerome had two daughters with Judith Ann Hawkins—Halle Berry and Heidi Berry-Henderson. He also had another daughter, Renee Berry, from a previous relationship.
Why is Jerome’s daughter, Halle Berry, so famous?
Halle Berry is a successful Hollywood actress known for her roles in movies like Monster’s Ball, X-Men, and Catwoman. She made history as the first Black woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress.
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