BWW Flashback: Take a Look Back at Emmy-Winner Viola Davis' Tony-Winning Stage Career

Last night two-time Tony Award-winner Viola Davis made history as the first African-American to win an Emmy in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category. She was recognized for her role as the brilliant attorney and professor Annalise Keating on the Shonda Rhimes drama HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER. In addition to her Emmy and Tonys, Davis has won three Drama Desks and three SAG Awards. During her acceptance speech, Davis quoted Harriet Tubman and talked about breaking boundaries and redefining what Hollywood thinks of as beautiful.

Of her role as Keating, Davis said, "She's messy. She's a woman. She's sexual. She's vulnerable. I feel extremely fortunate that I am alive and still active, and this role came to me at this point in my life."

Davis made her Broadway debut in 1996's production of August Wilson's drama SEVEN GUITARS. She received a Theatre World Award and Tony and Drama Desk noms for playing spurned lover Vera.

Five years later, she returned to Broadway in KING HEDLEY II, Wilson's continuation of the SEVEN GUITARS' story. This time playing pregnant mother Tonya, Davis won the Drama Desk and Tony Awards.

In typical classy and elegant fashion, Davis delivered a touching, humble acceptance speech. Check it out below:

Despite an increasingly hectic career on screens large and small, Davis returned to the New York stage in Lynn Nottage's Off-Broadway play INTIMATE APPAREL in 2004. The play tells the story of a young African-American woman who moves to New York City at the turn of the 20th Century to follow her dreams of being a seamstress. Again nominated for a Drama Desk, Davis this time tied for the award with Phylicia Rashad, who was starring at the time in the Broadway revival of A RAISIN IN THE SUN.

Photo Credit: Linda Lenzi

The original cast of INTIMATE APPAREL reassembled last summer to honor the show's 10th anniversary with a reading, benefitting Roundabout's New Play Initiative. In addition to Davis, the cast featured Arija Bareikis, Lynda Gravátt, Russell Hornsby, Corey Stoll and Lauren Vélez. Check out photos of the reading below.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Broski

Corey Stoll, Lauren Velez, Viola Davis, Arija Bareikis, Lynda Gravatt, Russell Hornsby

Corey Stoll, Lauren Velez, Viola Davis, Arija Bareikis, Lynda Gravatt, Russell Hornsby

Corey Stoll, Lauren Velez, Viola Davis, Arija Bareikis, Lynda Gravatt, Russell Hornsby

Corey Stoll, Lauren Velez, Viola Davis, Arija Bareikis, Lynda Gravatt, Russell Hornsby

Lynda Gravatt, Viola Davis, Daniel Sullivan, Lynn Nottage, Russell Hornsby, Lauren Velez, Corey Stoll, Arija Bareikis

Having subsequently starred in Hollywood films DOUBT and EAT PRAY LOVE, and having completed filming of THE HELP, Davis again came back to Broadway in an August Wilson play in 2010. This time, starring opposite Denzel Washington in FENCES, as married couple Rose and Troy. Both Davis and Washington received TONY AWARDS for their performances.

BroadwayWorld recently reported that Davis would reprise her role in a filmed version that Washington will be producing for HBO, as part of a plan to produce all 10 of Wilson's plays for the network.

Known as the American Century Cycle, Wilson's 10 plays each covered one decade in America's 20th Century. In chronological order they are: GEM OF THE OCEAN, JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE, MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM, THE PIANO LESSON, SEVEN GUITARS, FENCES, TWO TRAINS RUNNING, JITNEY, KING HEDLEY II and RADIO GOLF.

Washington will direct and star in FENCES, while producing all 10 films. No word on if Davis will reprise her Broadway roles in either of the other films. Take a look at Davis and Washington in photos from the Broadway production of FENCES below:

Photo credit: Joan Marcus

Denzel Washington, Viola Davis

Denzel Washington, Viola Davis

Denzel Washington, Viola Davis

Denzel Washington

Viola Davis

Whether on stage or screen, Viola Davis is unquestionably one of America's most talented and powerful performers, regardless of race or gender. So, be it in a Shondaland drama, in an HBO adaptation, giving a classy acceptance speech, or someday back on the Broadway stage, it is always an honor to watch Viola Davis.