CCH Pounder Biography: Age, Husband, Children, Net Worth, Parents, Height, Movies & TV Shows

Carol Christine Hilaria Pounder also known as CCH Pounder is a prominent Guyanese-American actress known for her powerful portrayals of authoritative figures in television and film.

She is best recognized for her role as Detective Claudette Wyms in The Shield, Mo’at in the Avatar franchise, and Dr. Loretta Wade in NCIS: New Orleans, earning multiple Emmy nominations and acclaim for her commanding presence and depth in dramatic roles.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Carol Christine Hilaria Pounder
• Stage Name: CCH Pounder
• Born: December 25, 1952
• Age: 73 years old
• Birthplace: Georgetown, British Guiana
• Nationality: Guyanese-American
• Ethnicity: African Guyanese
• Occupation: Actress
• Height: 170 cm
• Religion: Unknown
• Parents: Ronald Urlington Pounder and Betsy Enid Arnella James
• Siblings: Shelley Pounder
• Spouse: Boubacar Kone (deceased)
• Children: Three
• Relationship: Widowed
• Net Worth: $6 million USD

Early Life and Education

CCH Pounder was born on December 25, 1952, in Georgetown, British Guiana (now Guyana). She was brought up by her parents, Ronald Urlington Pounder, who managed a sugar plantation and worked as a real-estate agent, and Betsy Enid Arnella James, who worked at the United States Embassy while the family lived in London.

She grew up on a sugar plantation in British Guiana before attending a Catholic boarding school in Sussex, England, with her older sister, Shelley Pounder. In 1970, she moved to Brooklyn, New York, to join her parents who had relocated earlier.

She initially studied painting at Hastings College of Arts and Technology but dropped out after moving to the United States. She graduated from Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, in 1975 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in acting. Her ethnicity is African Guyanese, and her religion is unknown.

Career

CCH Pounder began her acting career in the late 1970s with theater work and early television appearances. She gained notice in films like Bagdad Cafe (1987) and Benny & Joon (1993). She appeared in recurring roles on L.A. Law, ER, and The X-Files, earning Emmy nominations.

She achieved major recognition as Claudette Wyms on The Shield (2002–2008). She portrayed Mo’at in Avatar (2009) and Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), with upcoming roles in the franchise.

She starred as Dr. Loretta Wade on NCIS: New Orleans (2014–2021) and had roles in Warehouse 13, Sons of Anarchy, Full Circle, Black Cake, and Rustin.

She co-founded the Musée Boribana in Dakar, Senegal, with her husband, which they gifted to the nation in 2014. Her accolades include four Primetime Emmy nominations, an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Guyana (2023), the Cacique’s Crown of Honour from Guyana (2016), and Ithaca College honors including Lifetime Achievement Award (2021).

Awards and Nominations

• Primetime Emmy Award nominations (The X-Files, ER, The Shield, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency)
• Honorary Doctorate from Ithaca College and University of Guyana
• Cacique’s Crown of Honour (Guyana, 2016)
• Ithaca College Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award (2021)

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @cchpounder

Personal Life

CCH Pounder is 73 years old and her height is 170 cm. She was married to Senegalese anthropologist Boubacar Kone from 1990 until his death in 2016. They had three children and lived between the United States and Senegal, where they built and later gifted the Musée Boribana.

No past relationships are publicly known beyond this marriage. She is now widowed and maintains a private family life, focusing on her career, art collection, and advocacy for cultural preservation.

Net Worth

CCH Pounder‘s net worth is estimated at $6 million USD. Her income primarily comes from acting roles in television series such as The Shield, NCIS: New Orleans, ER, and The X-Files; feature films including the Avatar franchise, Bagdad Cafe, and Rustin; residuals and royalties from long-running shows and streaming platforms; voice acting; and occasional theater or producing work across her extensive career.

Filmography

• Bagdad Cafe (Film, 1987)
• Benny & Joon (Film, 1993)
• The Shield (TV Series, Claudette Wyms, 2002–2008)
• Avatar (Film, Mo’at, 2009)
• Warehouse 13 (TV Series, Irene Frederic, 2009–2014)
• Sons of Anarchy (TV Series, Tyne Patterson, 2013–2014)
• NCIS: New Orleans (TV Series, Dr. Loretta Wade, 2014–2021)
• Avatar: The Way of Water (Film, Mo’at, 2022)
• Rustin (Film, 2023)
• Black Cake (TV Series)
• Full Circle (TV Series)