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BIO

Viola Davis is a critically revered actress of film, television, and theater and has won rave reviews for her multitude of substantial and intriguingly diverse roles. Audiences across the United States and internationally have admired her for her work- including her celebrated, Oscar-nominated performances in The Help (2011), Doubt (2008), and her Oscar winning performance in Fences (2016). In 2015, Davis won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for her work in ABC's How To Get Away With Murder, making her the first black woman in history to take home the award. In addition to acting, Viola currently produces alongside her husband and producing partner, Julius Tennon, through their JuVee Productions banner. Together they have produced award-garnering productions across theater, television, and film.



In the 2010s, Davis won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance as Rose Maxson in the Broadway revival of August Wilson's play Fences. For starring as a 1960s housemaid in the comedy-drama The Help (2011), she won a Screen Actors Guild Award and received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. From 2014 to 2020, she played lawyer Annalise Keating in the television drama series How to Get Away with Murder, for which she became the first black actress to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2015. In 2016, she reprised the role of Maxson in the film adaptation of Fences, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

In 2016, she made her debut as Amanda Waller in the DC Extended Universe film Suicide Squad and has reprised the role in subsequent DCEU media. In 2020, she portrayed Ma Rainey in the biopic Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, for which she received a fourth Academy Award nomination, becoming the most-nominated black actress in Oscar history.

She released her memoir, Finding Me (2022), which earned her a Grammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording nomination for its accompanying audiobook.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Fences Fences
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2010
Rose
Intimate Apparel
[Off-Broadway]
2004
Esther
King Hedley II
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2001
Tonya
The Vagina Monologues
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1999
Performer [Replacement]
Performer [Replacement]
Everybody's Ruby
[Off-Broadway]
1999
Ruby McCollum
Pericles
[Off-Broadway]
1998
2nd Fisherman/Lychorida/Bawd
God's Heart
[Off-Broadway]
1997
Eleanor
Seven Guitars
[Broadway]
1996
Vera

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2010 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Viola Davis, Fences


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2010 - Special Citations

Viola Davis


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2010 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Viola Davis , Fences


winner
Tony Awards - 2010 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Viola Davis, Fences

The Lortels - 2005 - Outstanding Lead Actress

Viola Davis, Intimate Apparel


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Actress - Play

Viola Davis, Intimate Apparel


winner
Obie Awards - 2004 - Performance

Viola Davis, Intimate Apparel

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Viola Davis, Intimate Apparel


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2001 - Outstanding Featured Actress - Play

Viola Davis, King Hedley II


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2001 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Viola Davis, King Hedley II


winner
Tony Awards - 2001 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Viola Davis, King Hedley II


winner
Obie Awards - 1999 - Performance

Viola Davis, Everybody's Ruby


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1996 - Performance

Viola Davis, Seven Guitars

Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Viola Davis, Seven Guitars

Videos

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News


Denzel Washington is Suffering From a Tongue Injury Ahead of Broadway Return in OTHEL Photo
Denzel Washington is Suffering From a Tongue Injury Ahead of Broadway Return in OTHELLO
by Stephi Wild - Feb 10, 2025

Denzel Washington is returning to Broadway this month. However, Washington has revealed that he has been struggling ahead of his Broadway return due to a tongue injury that has made it difficult to talk.
Cynthia Erivo, Viola Davis, & More Join CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE Film Photo
Cynthia Erivo, Viola Davis, & More Join CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE Film
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 22, 2025

Cynthia Erivo, Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Amandla Stenberg, Lashana Lynch, and more have joined the cast of Children of Blood and Bone, Paramount's upcoming film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi's bestselling young adult novel.
Jim Gaffigan Adds Second Show at the North Charleston PAC Photo
Jim Gaffigan Adds Second Show at the North Charleston PAC
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 21, 2025

Jim Gaffigan's 2025 Everything Is Wonderful Tour will add a second show at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center this spring. Learn more about the tour and see how to purchase tickets.
BLUES IN THE NIGHT to Open at Arizona Theatre Company in January Photo
BLUES IN THE NIGHT to Open at Arizona Theatre Company in January
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 13, 2025

Arizona Theatre Company will welcome in 2025 with the Tony Award- nominated musical Blues in the Night by Sheldon Epps. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Photos: Viola Davis & Ted Danson Honored with Special Golden Globe Awards Photo
Photos: Viola Davis & Ted Danson Honored with Special Golden Globe Awards
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 6, 2025

Ahead of the main ceremony on Sunday, January 5, the Golden Globes recognized the 2024 Cecil B. DeMille Award Recipient, Viola Davis, and the 2024 Carol Burnett Award Recipient, Ted Danson, at the inaugural Golden Gala: An Evening of Excellence. Take a look at photos here!
Everything to Know About the 82nd Annual Golden Globes Photo
Everything to Know About the 82nd Annual Golden Globes
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 2, 2025

The highly-anticipated 82nd Annual Golden Globes® will take place on Sunday, January 5, 2025, at The Beverly Hilton Hotel. The Golden Globes®, often referred to as “Hollywood’s Party of the Year®,” is the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of both film and television.
Prime Video Reveals Premiere Date for G20 Starring Viola Davis Photo
Prime Video Reveals Premiere Date for G20 Starring Viola Davis
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 2, 2025

Prime Video has announced the April 10 premiere date for the upcoming film G20, an action-thriller starring Academy Award winner Viola Davis. G20 follows U.S. President Danielle Sutton (Davis), who becomes the number one target after the G20 summit comes under siege.
Ariana DeBose, Colman Domingo, & More to Present at 82nd Annual Golden Globes Photo
Ariana DeBose, Colman Domingo, & More to Present at 82nd Annual Golden Globes
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 2, 2025

The Golden Globes has announced that Andrew Garfield, Anthony Ramos, Ariana DeBose, Aubrey Plaza, Auliʻi Cravalho, Colman Domingo, Elton John, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Sarah Paulson, and more will present at the 82nd Annual Golden Globes.
CREATURE COMMANDOS Renewed for Second Season at Max Photo
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The critically acclaimed and fan-favorite Max Original adult animated series CREATURE COMMANDOS, written and executive produced by filmmaker and DC Studios Co-Chair James Gunn, has been renewed for a second season.
Comedian Chris Tucker Announces Return To Encore Theater In March 2025 Photo
Comedian Chris Tucker Announces Return To Encore Theater In March 2025
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 17, 2024

Award-winning actor and comedian, Chris Tucker, will make his highly-awaited return to the stage at Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas for his latest headlining engagement, March 28 - 29, 2025.
Patrick Hoffman, NYPL's Curator and Director of the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive, Photo
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by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 13, 2024

Patrick Hoffman, The New York Public Library’s Curator and Director of the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive in the Billy Rose Theatre Division, is retiring after a career of more than three decades at NYPL.
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by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 13, 2024

Hartford Stage has revealed the artistic team for its upcoming production of August Wilson's Two Trains Running directed by Gilbert McCauley. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
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Ted Danson to Receive the 2025 Carol Burnett Award
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 2, 2024

The Golden Globes® has announced that 13-time Golden Globe® nominee and three-time winner Ted Danson has been named the Carol Burnett Award honoree for 2025.
2025 YoungArts Award Winners Announced Photo
2025 YoungArts Award Winners Announced
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 26, 2024

YoungArts has announced the 2025 YoungArts award winners— more than 800 of the most accomplished young visual, literary and performing artists from across the country, heralding the next generation of artists to watch.
David Schwimmer and James Oh Join Lookingglass Theatre Company Board Photo
David Schwimmer and James Oh Join Lookingglass Theatre Company Board
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 25, 2024

After pausing its operations last year to reorganize and create a new business model, Chicago’s Tony-Award winning Lookingglass Theatre Company is welcoming two new Board members as it prepares to reopen January 30, 2025. Learn more!
Cast Set for HERO: THE BOY FROM TROY, A NEW MUSICAL ABOUT YOUNG JOHN LEWIS Tour Photo
Cast Set for HERO: THE BOY FROM TROY, A NEW MUSICAL ABOUT YOUNG JOHN LEWIS Tour
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 15, 2024

From the same creative team as JABARI DREAMS OF FREEDOM, HERO: THE BOY FROM TROY, book by Nambi E. Kelley with lyrics, composition, and music direction by Joe Plummer, directed by Daniel Carlton, will tour. Learn how to purchase tickets.
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Chris Tucker Will Headline Valentine's Comedy Night at NJPAC
by Stephi Wild - Nov 13, 2024

Following multiple sold-out performances at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), award-winning actor and comedian Chris Tucker will return for his latest headlining engagement on Valentine's Evening.
Denzel Washington Plans to Star in OTHELLO Film Before Retirement Photo
Denzel Washington Plans to Star in OTHELLO Film Before Retirement
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 12, 2024

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A-Sha Foods USA & First We Feast’s Hot Ones™ Expand Line of Ramen Noodle Soup 
by Marina Kennedy - Nov 1, 2024

Following the debut of its sold-out ramen noodle soups in partnership with 'Hot Ones,' A-Sha Foods USA, the AAPI-owned noodle brand known for its patented, 100-year-old legacy noodle recipe from Tainan, Taiwan, launches three new ramen noodle soups.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Viola Davis been in?

Viola Davis has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has Viola Davis been in?

Viola Davis has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Viola Davis been nominated for?

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Fences, Special Citations (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for , Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Fences, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Fences, Outstanding Lead Actress (The Lortels) for Intimate Apparel, Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Intimate Apparel, Performance (Obie Awards) for Intimate Apparel, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Intimate Apparel , Outstanding Featured Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for King Hedley II, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for King Hedley II, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for King Hedley II, Performance (Obie Awards) for Everybody's Ruby, Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Seven Guitars and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Seven Guitars.

What awards has Viola Davis won?

Viola Davis has received several prestigious awards, including: - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Fences - Special Citations (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) - Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Fences - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Fences - Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Intimate Apparel - Performance (Obie Awards) for Intimate Apparel - Outstanding Featured Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for King Hedley II - Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for King Hedley II - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for King Hedley II - Performance (Obie Awards) for Everybody's Ruby - Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Seven Guitars.

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