Viola Davis

American actress

Written by Richard Pallardy

Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Dec 13, 2024 • Article History

Quick Facts

Born:: August 11, 1965, Saint Matthews, South Carolina, U.S. (age 59)

Awards And Honors:: EGOT; Grammy Award (2023); Academy Award (2017); Emmy Award (2015); Tony Awards (2010); Tony Awards (2001); Academy Award (2017): Actress in a Supporting Role; Emmy Award (2015): Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series; Golden Globe Award (2017): Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture; Tony Award (2010): Best Actress in a Play; Tony Award (2001): Best Featured Actress in a Play

Married To:: Julius Tennon (2003–present)

Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In):: "How to Get Away with Murder" (2014–2020); "Troop Zero" (2019); "Widows" (2018); "Scandal" (2018); "American Koko" (2017); "Fences" (2016); "Suicide Squad" (2016); "Custody" (2016); "Lila & Eve" (2015); "Blackhat" (2015); "Get on Up" (2014); "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them" (2014); "Ender's Game" (2013); "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him" (2013); "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her" (2013); "Prisoners" (2013); "Sofia the First" (2013); "Beautiful Creatures" (2013); "Won't Back Down" (2012); "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" (2011); "The Help" (2011); "It's Kind of a Funny Story" (2010); "Trust" (2010); "Eat Pray Love" (2010); "Knight and Day" (2010); "United States of Tara" (2010); "Law Abiding Citizen" (2009); "State of Play" (2009); "Madea Goes to Jail" (2009); "The Andromeda Strain" (2008); "Doubt" (2008); "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2003–2008); "Nights in Rodanthe" (2008); "Brothers & Sisters" (2008); "Traveler" (2007); "Disturbia" (2007); "Laws of Chance" (2006); "World Trade Center" (2006); "Without a Trace" (2006); "The Architect" (2006); "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" (2005); "Threshold" (2005); "Century City" (2004); "The Practice" (2003); "Hack" (2003); "Solaris" (2002); "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (2002); "Antwone Fisher" (2002); "Far from Heaven" (2002); "The Division" (2002); "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (2002); "Kate & Leopold" (2001); "Third Watch" (2001); "The Guardian" (2001); "Providence" (2001); "The Shrink Is In" (2001); "City of Angels" (2000); "Traffic" (2000); "Judging Amy" (2000); "Miss Apprehension and Squirt" (1998); "Out of Sight" (1998); "New York Undercover" (1996); "NYPD Blue" (1996); "The Substance of Fire" (1996)

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News •

‘Red Path’ Wins Top Award at Red Sea Fest; Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Viola Davis Get Honored • Dec. 12, 2024, 7:43 AM ET (The Hollywood Reporter)

Viola Davis (born August 11, 1965, Saint Matthews, South Carolina, U.S.) is an American actress known for her precise, controlled performances and her regal presence. She accomplished the rare feat of winning the four major North American entertainment awards (EGOT: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony). Davis was raised in Central Falls, Rhode Island, where her father found work as a horse groom at nearby racetracks and her mother took on domestic and factory jobs. Their income was frequently insufficient to support the family, and they endured grim rat-infested apartments and occasional food shortages. As a child, Davis began acting in ...(100 of 938 words)

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