Washington Talks Theatrical Influences & More

Popular stage, screen and Scandal star Kerry Washington opens up about her theatrical influences and acting icons as well as much, much more in an expansive interview with Emmy Magazine, which she also covers this month.

Washington cites such significant theatrical luminaries as Diahann Carroll, Rita Moreno, Julie Andrews and Barbra Streisand as having had a major influence on her choice to become an actress and they continue to inspire her performances to this day - particularly in each of their ability to succeed in many genres simultaneously.

"I have cousins who call me the 'longshoreman of actors'," Washington amusedly recounts of her family's reaction to her wide range of stage and screen credits in her career thus far.

"I'm always working long hours and doing my actor homework. I'm not here to phone it in," she says - and it's clear to see that from her work onscreen and onstage, as well.

Wrapping up her very recent rise to mega-stardom following David Mamet's RACE on Broadway through to last year's DJANGO UNCHAINED and the super-hit status of her small-screen starrer SCANDAL, Washington remains cool-headed and convivial.

"The last few years have been pretty busy," Washington opines with a trademark smile, before adding, "But I like busy."

Check out the original article on the matter here.