Carol Christine Hilaria Pounder, known as CCH Pounder, was born on December 25, 1952, in Georgetown, British Guiana, now Guyana. Her full name honors her grandmothers and godmothers.

Raised on a sugar plantation managed by her father, Ronald Arlington Pounder, and with her mother, Betsy Enid Arnella, working at the United States Embassy while the family lived in London, she attended a Catholic boarding school in Sussex, England.

Her family later settled in New York, where she graduated from Ithaca College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in drama in 1975.

Her acting career began with her debut in the film "All That Jazz" in 1979. She continued her career in New York City theater, appearing in productions like "The Mighty Gents" and "Open Admissions" on Broadway.

Moving to Los Angeles in 1982, she starred in the film "Bagdad Café" and made guest appearances on shows like "Hill Street Blues," "The Cosby Show," "L.A. Law," "The X-Files," and "Living Single".

She gained a long-running recurring role as Dr. Angela Hicks on the medical drama series "ER" from 1994 to 1997.

CCH Pounder is best known for her roles as Detective Claudette Wyms on the FX police drama series "The Shield," Mo'at in the "Avatar" franchise, and Amanda Waller in various DC media.

She has also voiced characters in animated series like "Justice League Unlimited" and "W.I.T.C.H.". Her television career includes roles in "Warehouse 13," "Sons of Anarchy," and "NCIS: New Orleans," where she portrayed medical examiner Dr. Loretta Wade from 2014 until the show's conclusion in 2021.

CCH Pounder has received four Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her roles in "The X-Files," "ER," "The Shield," and "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency."

In her personal life, CCH Pounder was married to Boubacar Kone from 1990 until his death in 2016. They had three children together: Libya, Matthew, and Nicole. Pounder is a lifelong arts patron, co-founder of an arts museum, an art collector, and a jewelry designer.

She is also heavily involved in promoting arts in Africa and raising awareness about HIV/AIDS.