7 underrated Regina King roles in which she steals the whole damn show

Even though every few years her incredible performances receive “breakout” accolades, Regina King has been captivating our hearts and making us laugh on the silver screen for years. From Watchmen to her Oscar-nominated role in If Beale Street Could Talk, her recent acting resume has been full of nothing but award-worthy performances. But if you ask us, Regina's deserved all the awards for years.

To celebrate her 50th birthday, King will be hosting a watch party with a few friends for her directorial debut of One Night in Miami, which is available to stream on Amazon Prime on January 15th. The film will follow a fictitious look at Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali) spending an evening with his friends NFL star Jim Brown, singer Sam Cooke and Nation of Islam leader Malcolm X, after defeating the world champion at the Miami Convention Center. 

If you’re looking to host a birthday celebration of your own, here are some of Regina's most underrated roles that are worth watching, or re-watching (okay, maybe for the 5th time) this weekend.

1. Marcee Tidwell in Jerry Maguire (1996)

If we really want to talk about King’s breakout role, we’re going to have to go all the way back to 1996 and re-watch Jerry Maguire. Playing Cuba Gooding Jr.’s intelligent and supportive wife, Marcee Tidwell, Regina shines as Gooding's backbone and confidante. Imagine having someone like Marcee in your corner at all times? Rod was a very lucky man -- and not just for his $12-million contract.

2. Vanessa in How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)

In How Stella Got Her Groove Back, as Angela Bassett (Stella) is getting over her divorce in Jamaica, King, who plays her witty sister Vanessa, steals the show. Being the saucier of the two sisters, her well-timed one-liners are welcome comic relief when the film needs it the most. 

3. Grace Rossiter in Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003)

While most sequels leave us underwhelmed, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde has us bending, snapping and wanting more. With plotline rumours swirling about the third installment, we’re hoping that King will reprise her role as the congresswoman’s Chief of Staff, Grace Rossiter. Rossiter's face is all of us when she discovers "one of the shrewdest legal and political minds of our time" turns out to be Elle Woods. But hey, never judge a book by its cover, right?

4. Rhonda in A Cinderella Story (2004)

In the Hilary Duff reinterpretation of this classic fairy tale, King is the empowering (and hilarious) fairy godmother figure that guides Duff in the right direction to find her Prince Charming. Okay, so Regina's more of the Cinderella type to us, but we would not complain about having a fairy godmother this incredible. 

RELATED: Regina King hopes her success inspires young Black women to go after their goals

[video_embed id='2119209']RELATED: Regina King hopes her success inspires young Black women to go after their goals[/video_embed]

5. Margie Hendricks in Ray (2004)

One thing that is undeniable about King is her ability to adapt and play a range of roles. In the same year she was our fairy godmother, she also played Margie Hendricks in the biographical film Ray. Jamie Foxx may have taken home the Best Actor Oscar, but watch the scene below and tell us she wasn't just as captivating. Hit the damn road, Jack!

6. Sam Fuller in Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous (2005)

In the second Miss Congeniality film, King plays FBI agent, Sam Fuller, who leaves us laughing the whole way through. We love you, Sandy, but Regina steals the show reluctantly singing and dancing to "Proud Mary" before absolutely nailing the performance and leaving the crowd wanting more and more.

7. Janine Davis in The Big Bang Theory (2013-2019)

If you’re still looking for a little more Regina King to watch but don’t want to get invested in a full movie, check out her re-occurring guest appearance on The Big Bang Theory. It takes a great actor to play off Sheldon Cooper, but as Caltech's HR rep Janine Davis, King manages to keep her cool while her comedic chops shine through in spades.

BEFORE YOU GO: The viral fashion dog in all those videos is getting an article in 'Vogue'

[video_embed id='2117648']BEFORE YOU GO: The viral fashion dog in all those videos is getting an article in 'Vogue'[/video_embed]