Viola Davis Wiki Biography
Viola Davis was born on 11 August 1965, in St Matthews, South Carolina USA. She is an actress and producer, perhaps best-known for her appearances in such movies and television shows as “Antwone Fisher”, “The Help”, “How to Get Away with Murder”, “Doubt” and others. As Viola is considered to be one of the best actresses, there is no surprise that she has been nominated for and has won numerous awards. Some of them include Drama Desk Award, Golden Globe Award, Primetime Emmy Award, Satellite Award, Tony Award and many others. In addition to her appearances in various television and movies, Viola is also known and acclaimed for her roles in various plays. This only proves that she is a multi-talented actress.
If you consider how rich Viola Davis is, it can be said that Viola’s estimated net worth is $3 million. The main source of this sum of money is clearly her extraordinary career as an actress. Her work as a producer has also added to Davis’ net worth. Although Viola is now 50 years old, she still remains really popular and receives invitations to portray varying roles.
Viola Davis Net Worth $3 Million
Viola moved to Rhode Island with her family while very young, and became interested in acting when she studied at Central Falls High School, later deciding to continue her studies at Rhode Island College, where she graduated with a degree in theatre. What is more, Viola also attended the Juilliard School, where she was able to improve her skills and gain more experience. Her career as an actress began in 1996, when she appeared in the movie called “The Substance of Fire”. This was the time when Davis’ net worth began growing. Later she was cast in such television shows as “New York Undercover”, “NYPD Blue”, “The Pentagon Wars” and “Gracie & Glorie”. Step by step Viola gained more acclaim and became more popular.
In 2000 she received an invitation to appear in the movie,called “Traffic”, in which she worked with such actors as Michael Douglas, Dennis Quaid, Luis Guzman, Don Cheadle and others. Davis then acted in such movies as “Out of Sight”, “Solaris”, “Syriana” among others. The success of these movies added a lot to Viola Davis’ net worth. Some of her recent projects include “How to Get Away with Murder”, “Get On Up”, “Blackhat” and “Lila & Eve”.
As mentioned, Viola is also famous for acting in various plays, for example “King Hedley II”, “Fences”, “Intimate Apparel”, “Seven Guitars” and others. All these plays made Viola Davis’ net worth grow. Viola is now considered to be one of the most influential and successful actresses.
If to talk about Viola Davis’ personal life, it can be said that in 2003 she married Julius Tennon and they have one child. What is more, Viola takes care of Tennon’s two children from previous relationships. All in all, Viola Davis is a very talented, beautiful and hardworking woman, who has achieved a lot during her career. As she has worked for quite a long time in both movie and television industries, Viola is now admired by many contemporary actors and her work is acclaimed and respected.
| Full Name | Viola Davis |
| Net Worth | $3 Million |
| Date Of Birth | August 11, 1965 |
| Place Of Birth | St. Matthews, South Carolina, United States |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.651 m) |
| Profession | Actress, Film Producer |
| Education | Rhode Island College, Central Falls High School, Juilliard School |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Julius Tennon (m. 2003) |
| Children | Genesis Tennon |
| Parents | Dan Davis, Mary Alice Davis |
| Nicknames | Viola Sophie Davis |
| http://www.facebook.com/viola.davis | |
| http://www.twitter.com/violadavis | |
| https://www.instagram.com/violadavis/ | |
| IMDB | www.imdb.com/name/nm0205626 |
| Awards | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role |
| Nominations | Academy Award for Best Actress, Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture – Drama, Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series – Drama, Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Se… |
| Movies | “Antwone Fisher” (1996), “The Help” (2011), “How to Get Away with Murder” (2016), “Doubt” (2008), “How to Get Away with Murder” (2014-), “The Help” (2014), “Suicide Squad” (2016) |
| TV Shows | “New York Undercover”, “NYPD Blue”, “The Pentagon Wars”, “Gracie & Glorie” |
| Trademark | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Her natural hair |
| Quote | |
|---|---|
| 1 | “The happily ever after comes after you’ve done the work. |
| 2 | The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity. |
| 3 | [on why Meryl Streep is the greatest actress] Meryl Streep is the greatest actress because you can see so many different emotions going on in her eyes. … It’s a joy as an artist. |
| 4 | [on playing Annalise Keating in ‘How To Get Away With Murder’] The challenge for any writer, any artist, is to somehow combine art with the mess that we call life. I spent too much time in my career – probably too much – trying to force writers to write for me in a way that was bold. Well, you know what? This is it. This is bold. |
| 5 | People migrate toward material when they reach a certain age, especially if they’re a certain hue, certain gender. I have had so many wonderful film roles where I wasn’t the show. It’s like being invited to a really fabulous party, only to hold up the wall. I wanted to be the show. I wanted to be character that took me out of my comfort zone. |
| 6 | [on performing with Jeremy Irons in ‘Beautiful Creatures’] He’s a total hippie. Here’s this grand, talented man who counters it with just humility – very casual and loose. So it was a joy to work with him in the swamps. |
| 7 | [on roles for African-American actresses] You’re not doing the Irish and Scottish accents they taught at Juilliard. In the real world you’re doing Ebonics and Jamaican. |
| 8 | The thing about the African-American community compared with the white community is, we are more concerned with image and message than execution. I don’t play roles that are necessarily attractive or portray a positive image. They are well-rounded characters. When you squelch excellence to put out a message it’s like passing the baton and seeing it drop. |
| 9 | [on undertaking the role of Aibileen in The Help (2011)]: I absolutely feel that she just had the nurturing instinct. You know, it’s like my mom. She’s said she’s taken care of kids since she was four years old, and she’s now sixty-eight. That’s all she knew,, which was to take care of kids. She also had seventeen of her brothers and sisters and cousins and all of that – and she was always taking care of them. I myself was delivered by my grandmother. |
| 10 | [on why she’s not inspired to direct] I can’t deal with actors! I can’t deal with myself. We’re neurotic and miserable… I love doing what I’m doing, but while I’m doing it, I’m miserable. |
| 11 | We grew up in abject poverty. Acting, writing scripts and skits were a way of escaping our environment at a very young age. |
| Fact | |
|---|---|
| 1 | She was awarded for the 2004 Back Stage Garland Award for Outstanding Performance for “Intimate Apparel” in association with Roundabout Theatre Company production at the Mark Taper Forum Theatre in Los Angeles, California. |
| 2 | She was awarded for a 2001 New York Drama Desk Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for “King Hedley II” on Broadway in New York City. |
| 3 | She was awarded the 2004 Los Angeles Stage Alliance Ovation Award for Best Leading Actress in a Play for “Intimate Apparel” in association with Roundabout Theatre Company production at the Mark Taper Forum Theatre in Los Angeles, California. |
| 4 | She was awarded for a 2001 New York Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for “King Hedley II” on Broadway in New York City. |
| 5 | She was awarded for a 2001 Antoinette Perry (Tony) Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for “King Hedley II” on Broadway in New York City. |
| 6 | Oprah Winfrey and beau Stedman Graham attended her ‘third’ marriage to Julius. |
| 7 | She was awarded the 2004 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Lead Performance for “Intimate Apparel” in association with Roundabout Theatre Company production at the Mark Taper Forum Theatre in Los Angeles, California. |
| 8 | She was awarded the 1996 Drama Logue Award for Performance for “Seven Guitars” at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, California. |
| 9 | She was nominated for the 1996 Antoinette Perry (Tony) Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for “Seven Guitars” on Broadway in New York City. |
| 10 | One of 5 actresses to get an Oscar nomination for a performance with less than 10 minutes of screen time. |
| 11 | Shared the cover of Vanity Fair magazine’s 2016 Hollywood issue with, Jane Fonda, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lawrence, Charlotte Rampling, Rachel Weisz, Lupita Nyong’o, Brie Larson, Alicia Vikander, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Helen Mirren, Diane Keaton and Saoirse Ronan. Photographed by Annie Leibovitz. |
| 12 | First black actress to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for How to Get Away with Murder (2014). |
| 13 | As of 2015, has appeared in three films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Traffic (2000), Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011) and The Help (2011). |
| 14 | Stepmother to Julius Tennon’s two sons from previous relationships. |
| 15 | Won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance in “Fences” in 2010. |
| 16 | Was named Glamour Magazine’s Film Actress of the Year in 2012. |
| 17 | Starring in the play “Intimate Apparel” at the Mark Taper Forum. [September 2004] |
| 18 | One of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World (2012). |
| 19 | Returned to work 4 months after adopting her daughter Genesis to begin filming Ender’s Game (2013). |
| 20 | Is one of two African-American actresses (the other being Whoopi Goldberg) to be nominated for an Academy Award in both the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress categories. |
| 21 | Is one of 10 African-American actresses to be Oscar-nominated for ‘Best Actress in a Leading Role’. The others in chronological order are Dorothy Dandridge, Diana Ross, Cicely Tyson, Diahann Carroll, Whoopi Goldberg, Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Gabourey Sidibe and Quvenzhané Wallis. |
| 22 | In 2012, Davis told Entertainment Weekly that she and her husband stayed at George Clooney’s Italian estate on Lake Como for their honeymoon. |
| 23 | Announced that she and her husband, Julius Tennon, have adopted a newborn daughter named Genesis Tennon (October 2011). |
| 24 | Inducted into The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences on June 30, 2009. |
| 25 | Grew up in Central Falls, Rhode Island. Her family moved there when she was 2-months old. |
| 26 | Attended Rhode Island College and majored in theater. |
| 27 | She is the daughter of Mary and Dan Davis. Dan was a horse-groomer for the Narrangasett and Lincoln Downs racetracks in Rhode Island. |
| 28 | Won the 2005 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for “Intimate Apparel” in 2004. |
| 29 | Won Broadway’s 2001 Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role – Play) for August Wilson’s “King Hedley II.” She had previously been nominated in the same category in 1996 for another Wilson play, “Seven Guitars.” |
| 30 | Graduated from The Juilliard School. |
Actress
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Widows | 2018 | pre-production | |
| The Personal History of Rachel DuPree | 2017 | pre-production | Rachel Dupree |
| Fences | 2016 | completed | Rose |
| Untitled Harriet Tubman Project | announced | Harriet Tubman | |
| How to Get Away with Murder | 2014-2017 | TV Series | Annalise Keating |
| Suicide Squad | 2016 | Amanda Waller | |
| Custody | 2016/I | Martha Schulman | |
| Lila & Eve | 2015 | Lila | |
| Blackhat | 2015 | Carol Barrett | |
| Get on Up | 2014 | Susie Brown | |
| The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them | 2014 | Professor Friedman | |
| Ender’s Game | 2013 | Major Gwen Anderson | |
| The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her | 2013 | Professor Lillian Friedman | |
| The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him | 2013 | Professor Lillian Friedman | |
| Prisoners | 2013 | Nancy Birch | |
| Sofia the First | 2013 | TV Series | Helen Hanshaw |
| Beautiful Creatures | 2013 | Amma | |
| Won’t Back Down | 2012 | Nona Alberts | |
| Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | 2011 | Abby Black | |
| Touch of Evil | 2011 | Short | The Vengeful Caretaker |
| The Help | 2011 | Aibileen Clark | |
| The Unforgiving Minute | 2010 | Short | Narrator |
| It’s Kind of a Funny Story | 2010 | Dr. Eden Minerva | |
| Trust | 2010/I | Gail Friedman | |
| Eat Pray Love | 2010 | Delia Shiraz | |
| Knight and Day | 2010 | Director George | |
| United States of Tara | 2010 | TV Series | Lynda P. Frazier |
| Beyond All Boundaries | 2009 | Short | Hortense Johnson – Arsenal Worker (voice) |
| Law Abiding Citizen | 2009 | Mayor | |
| State of Play | 2009 | Dr. Judith Franklin | |
| Madea Goes to Jail | 2009 | Ellen | |
| Doubt | 2008/I | Mrs. Miller | |
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | 2003-2008 | TV Series | Donna Emmett |
| Nights in Rodanthe | 2008 | Jean | |
| Brothers & Sisters | 2008 | TV Series | Ellen Snyder |
| The Andromeda Strain | 2008 | TV Mini-Series | Dr. Charlene Barton |
| Fort Pit | 2007 | TV Movie | |
| Traveler | 2007 | TV Series | Agent Jan Marlow |
| Jesse Stone: Sea Change | 2007 | TV Movie | Molly Crane |
| Disturbia | 2007 | Detective Parker | |
| Life Is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story | 2006 | TV Movie | Diane Barrino |
| World Trade Center | 2006 | Mother in Hospital | |
| Without a Trace | 2006 | TV Series | Audrey Williams |
| Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise | 2006 | TV Movie | Molly Crane |
| The Architect | 2006 | Tonya Neely | |
| Jesse Stone: Night Passage | 2006 | TV Movie | Molly Crane |
| Laws of Chance | 2006 | TV Series | |
| Syriana | 2005 | CIA Chairwoman (uncredited) | |
| Get Rich or Die Tryin’ | 2005 | Grandma | |
| Threshold | 2005 | TV Series | Victoria Rossi |
| Jesse Stone: Stone Cold | 2005 | TV Movie | Molly Crane |
| Century City | 2004 | TV Series | Hannah Crane |
| The Practice | 2003 | TV Series | Aisha Crenshaw |
| Hack | 2003 | TV Series | Stevie Morgan |
| Father Lefty | 2002 | TV Movie | |
| Solaris | 2002 | Gordon | |
| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | 2002 | TV Series | Attorney Campbell |
| Antwone Fisher | 2002 | Eva May | |
| Far from Heaven | 2002 | Sybil | |
| The Division | 2002 | TV Series | Dr. Georgia Davis |
| Law & Order: Criminal Intent | 2002 | TV Series | Terry Randolph |
| Kate & Leopold | 2001 | Policewoman | |
| Third Watch | 2001 | TV Series | Margo Rodriguez |
| The Guardian | 2001 | TV Series | Suzanna Clemons’ Attorney |
| Providence | 2001 | TV Series | Dr. Eleanor Weiss |
| The Shrink Is In | 2001 | Robin | |
| Amy & Isabelle | 2001 | TV Movie | Dottie |
| City of Angels | 2000 | TV Series | Nurse Lynnette Peeler |
| Traffic | 2000 | Social Worker | |
| Judging Amy | 2000 | TV Series | Celeste |
| Miss Apprehension and Squirt | 1998 | Sharon Hughes | |
| Grace & Glorie | 1998 | TV Movie | Rosemary Allbright |
| Out of Sight | 1998 | Moselle | |
| The Pentagon Wars | 1998 | TV Movie | Sgt. Fanning |
| New York Undercover | 1996 | TV Series | Mrs. Stapleton |
| NYPD Blue | 1996 | TV Series | Woman |
| The Substance of Fire | 1996 | Nurse |
Producer
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Personal History of Rachel DuPree | 2017 | executive producer pre-production | |
| Untitled Harriet Tubman Project | executive producer announced | ||
| How to Get Away with Murder | 2016 | TV Series producer – 4 episodes | |
| Custody | 2016/I | executive producer | |
| The Brink | 2015 | Short executive producer | |
| Lila & Eve | 2015 | executive producer | |
| Driving Fish | 2002 | Short co-executive producer |
Soundtrack
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life Is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story | 2006 | TV Movie performer: “Almighty God” |
Thanks
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thank God It’s Thursday on ABC | 2014 | TV Movie thanks | |
| ‘Solaris’: Behind the Planet | 2003 | Video documentary short special thanks |
Self
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Variety Studio: Actors on Actors | 2015-2017 | TV Series | Herself |
| The Talk | 2013-2016 | TV Series | Herself – Guest / Herself / Herself – Guest Co-Hostess |
| Access Hollywood | 2016 | TV Series | Herself |
| The Insider | 2014-2016 | TV Series | Herself / Herself – How to Get Away with Murder / Herself – Guest |
| Jimmy Kimmel Live! | 2014-2016 | TV Series | Herself – Guest / Herself |
| Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show | 2012-2016 | TV Series | Herself – Guest / Herself |
| The 68th Primetime Emmy Awards | 2016 | TV Special | Herself |
| Extra | 2014-2016 | TV Series | Herself |
| Made in Hollywood | 2011-2016 | TV Series | Herself |
| Up Close with Carrie Keagan | 2016 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| WGN Morning News | 2016 | TV Series | Herself |
| Live with Kelly and Michael | 2011-2016 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| Good Morning America | 2011-2016 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| The Late Show with Stephen Colbert | 2015-2016 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| Conan | 2016 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| Entertainment Tonight | 2009-2016 | TV Series | Herself / Herself – How to Get Away with Murder |
| Disneyland 60th Anniversary TV Special | 2016 | TV Movie | Herself |
| The Late Late Show with James Corden | 2016 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| The 47th NAACP Image Awards | 2016 | TV Movie | Herself – presenter |
| 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | 2016 | TV Special | Herself – Winner: Outstanding Female Actor in a Drama Series |
| Dawn of the Justice League | 2016 | TV Short | Herself – Amanda Waller |
| 2016 Golden Globe Arrivals Special | 2016 | TV Special | Herself |
| 73rd Golden Globe Awards | 2016 | TV Special | Herself – Presenter: Carol / Nominee |
| 38th Annual Kennedy Center Honors | 2015 | TV Special | Herself – Presenter |
| Late Night with Seth Meyers | 2015 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| The View | 2008-2015 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| Inside Edition | 2015 | TV Series documentary | Herself |
| The 67th Primetime Emmy Awards | 2015 | TV Special | Herself – Presenter: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and Winner: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series |
| Close Up with the Hollywood Reporter | 2015 | TV Series | Herself |
| The 87th Annual Academy Awards | 2015 | TV Special | Herself – Presenter: Governors Awards |
| The 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | 2015 | TV Special | Herself – Presenter: Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries / Winner |
| 72nd Golden Globe Awards | 2015 | TV Special | Herself – Nominee |
| HBO First Look: Blackhat | 2015 | TV Movie | Herself |
| The 41st Annual People’s Choice Awards | 2015 | TV Special | Herself |
| Blackhat: Creating Reality | 2015 | Video documentary short | Herself |
| Blackhat: On Location Around the World | 2015 | Video documentary short | Herself |
| Sesame Street | 2014 | TV Series | Herself |
| The 66th Primetime Emmy Awards | 2014 | TV Special | Herself – Presenter: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series |
| Thank God It’s Thursday on ABC | 2014 | TV Movie | Herself |
| E! Live from the Red Carpet | 2014 | TV Series | Herself |
| The 86th Annual Academy Awards | 2014 | TV Special | Herself – Co-Presenter: Best Foreign Language Film |
| Oprah’s Next Chapter | 2013 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| The Hollywood Fast Lane | 2013 | TV Series | Herself – Interviewee |
| 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | 2013 | TV Special | Herself – Presenter |
| The 6th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute | 2012 | TV Movie | Herself – Presenter |
| Entertainers with Byron Allen | 2012 | TV Series documentary | Herself – Guest |
| In Character With… | 2012 | TV Series | Herself |
| The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | 2011-2012 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| Love, Marilyn | 2012 | Documentary | Herself |
| Teachers Rock 2012 | 2012 | TV Movie | Herself – Presenter |
| The 84th Annual Academy Awards | 2012 | TV Special | Herself – Nominee: Best Actress in a Leading Role |
| 2012 Writers Guild Awards | 2012 | TV Special | Herself – Presenter |
| 43rd NAACP Image Awards | 2012 | TV Special | Herself |
| Oprah’s Oscar Special | 2012 | TV Movie | Herself |
| Late Show with David Letterman | 2012 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| The Orange British Academy Film Awards: Red Carpet | 2012 | TV Special | Herself |
| Tavis Smiley | 2009-2012 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | 2012 | TV Special | Herself |
| The 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards | 2012 | TV Special | Herself – Nominee: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama |
| 17th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards | 2012 | TV Special | Herself |
| Critics’ Choice Movie Awards Red Carpet | 2012 | TV Special | Herself |
| Charlie Rose | 2008-2011 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| SAG Foundation Conversations | 2011 | TV Series | Herself |
| Días de cine | 2011 | TV Series | Herself |
| Janela Indiscreta | 2011 | TV Series | Herself |
| The Big Picture | 2011 | TV Series | Herself |
| Dark Girls | 2011 | Documentary | Herself |
| The Early Show | 2011 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| Late Night with Jimmy Fallon | 2011 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| Paula’s Best Dishes | 2011 | TV Series | Herself |
| The 65th Annual Tony Awards | 2011 | TV Special | Herself – Presenter: Best Featured Actor in a Play |
| A Poem Is… | 2011 | TV Series | Narrator |
| 42nd NAACP Image Awards | 2011 | TV Special | Herself |
| The Start of Dreams | 2010 | Documentary | Herself |
| Boston Days and Spanish Knights | 2010 | Video short | Herself |
| The 64th Annual Tony Awards | 2010 | TV Special | Herself – Presenter: Fences & Winner: Best Leading Actress in a Play |
| The 76th Annual Drama League Awards | 2010 | TV Special | Herself |
| Beyond Babyland | 2010 | Documentary | Narrator |
| The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson | 2009 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| Doubt: Stage to Screen | 2009 | Video documentary short | Herself |
| Doubt: The Cast of Doubt | 2009 | Video short | Herself |
| La noche de los Oscar | 2009 | TV Movie | Herself |
| The 81st Annual Academy Awards | 2009 | TV Special | Herself – Nominee: Best Actress in a Supporting Role |
| Cinema 3 | 2009 | TV Series | Herself |
| 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | 2009 | TV Special | Herself |
| The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards | 2009 | TV Special | Herself – Nominee: Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture |
| The 14th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards | 2009 | TV Special | Herself |
| DP/30: Conversations About Movies | 2007 | TV Series | Herself |
| The 100 Most Unexpected TV Moments | 2005 | TV Mini-Series documentary | Herself |
| Black Theater Today: 2005 | 2005 | Documentary | |
| HBO First Look | 2002 | TV Series documentary | Herself |
| The 55th Annual Tony Awards | 2001 | TV Special | Herself – Performer & Winner: Best Featured Actress in a Play |
| The 50th Annual Tony Awards | 1996 | TV Special | Herself – Nominee: Best Featured Actress in a Play |
Archive Footage
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Insider | 2016 | TV Series | Herself |
| Entertainment Tonight | 2015-2016 | TV Series | Herself |
| Extra | 2015-2016 | TV Series | Herself |
| Inside Edition | 2015 | TV Series documentary | Herself |
Won Awards
| Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Navigator Award | Maui Film Festival | ||
| 2016 | Actor | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder (2014) |
| 2015 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder (2014) |
| 2015 | People’s Choice Award | People’s Choice Awards, USA | Favorite Actress in a New TV Series | |
| 2015 | Actor | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder (2014) |
| 2015 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder (2014) |
| 2013 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture | Won’t Back Down (2012) |
| 2013 | NBR Award | National Board of Review, USA | Best Ensemble | Prisoners (2013) |
| 2012 | Critics Choice Award | Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards | Best Actress | The Help (2011) |
| 2012 | Career Achievement Award | Chicago International Film Festival | ||
| 2012 | Gold Derby Award | Gold Derby Awards | Ensemble Cast | The Help (2011) |
| 2012 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture | The Help (2011) |
| 2012 | IFC Award | Iowa Film Critics Awards | Best Actress | The Help (2011) |
| 2012 | NFCS Award | Nevada Film Critics Society | Best Ensemble Cast | The Help (2011) |
| 2012 | Outstanding Performer of the Year Award | Santa Barbara International Film Festival | The Help (2011) | |
| 2012 | Actor | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role | The Help (2011) |
| 2012 | Actor | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | The Help (2011) |
| 2012 | Crystal Award | Women in Film Crystal Awards | ||
| 2012 | EDA Award | Alliance of Women Film Journalists | Best Actress | The Help (2011) |
| 2012 | BET Award | BET Awards | Best Actress | Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011) |
| 2012 | Black Reel | Black Reel Awards | Best Actress | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | Hollywood Film Award | Hollywood Film Awards | Ensemble of the Year | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | IFJA Award | Indiana Film Journalists Association, US | Best Supporting Actress | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | NBR Award | National Board of Review, USA | Best Acting by an Ensemble | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | NTFCA Award | North Texas Film Critics Association, US | Best Actress | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | Satellite Award | Satellite Awards | Best Actress in a Motion Picture | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | Special Achievement Award | Satellite Awards | Best Ensemble, Motion Picture | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | SEFCA Award | Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards | Best Ensemble | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | WFCC Award | Women Film Critics Circle Awards | Women’s Work/Best Ensemble | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | WFCC Award | Women Film Critics Circle Awards | Best Actress | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | AAFCA Award | African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) | Best Actress | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | ACCA | Awards Circuit Community Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | BFCC Award | Black Film Critics Circle Awards | Best Actress | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | BFCC Award | Black Film Critics Circle Awards | Best Ensemble | The Help (2011) |
| 2009 | Gold Derby Award | Gold Derby Awards | Ensemble Cast | Doubt (2008) |
| 2009 | Virtuoso Award | Santa Barbara International Film Festival | Doubt (2008) | |
| 2008 | Black Reel | Black Reel Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt (2008) |
| 2008 | DFWFCA Award | Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt (2008) |
| 2008 | HFCS Award | Houston Film Critics Society Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt (2008) |
| 2008 | NBR Award | National Board of Review, USA | Breakthrough Performance by an Actress | Doubt (2008) |
| 2008 | NBR Award | National Board of Review, USA | Best Acting by an Ensemble | Doubt (2008) |
| 2008 | SLFCA Award | St. Louis Film Critics Association, US | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt (2008) |
| 2008 | WAFCA Award | Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Awards | Best Acting Ensemble | Doubt (2008) |
| 2008 | AAFCA Award | African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt (2008) |
| 2008 | EDA Award | Alliance of Women Film Journalists | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt (2008) |
Nominated Awards
| Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Critics’ Choice TV Award | Critics Choice Television Awards | Best Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder (2014) |
| 2016 | Dorian Award | Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association (GALECA) | TV Performance of the Year – Actress | How to Get Away with Murder (2014) |
| 2016 | Gold Derby TV Award | Gold Derby Awards | Drama Lead Actress | How to Get Away with Murder (2014) |
| 2016 | Entertainer of the Year Award | Image Awards | ||
| 2016 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder (2014) |
| 2016 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture | Lila & Eve (2015) |
| 2016 | OFTA Television Award | Online Film & Television Association | Best Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder (2014) |
| 2016 | Golden Globe | Golden Globes, USA | Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama | How to Get Away with Murder (2014) |
| 2016 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder (2014) |
| 2016 | BET Award | BET Awards | Best Actress | How to Get Away with Murder (2014) |
| 2016 | Black Reel | Black Reel Awards | Outstanding Actress, Motion Picture | Lila & Eve (2015) |
| 2015 | Critics’ Choice TV Award | Critics Choice Television Awards | Best Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder (2014) |
| 2015 | Dorian Award | Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association (GALECA) | TV Performance of the Year – Actress | How to Get Away with Murder (2014) |
| 2015 | Gold Derby TV Award | Gold Derby Awards | Performer of the Year | |
| 2015 | Gold Derby TV Award | Gold Derby Awards | Drama Lead Actress | How to Get Away with Murder (2014) |
| 2015 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture | The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him (2013) |
| 2015 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture | Get on Up (2014) |
| 2015 | Entertainer of the Year Award | Image Awards | ||
| 2015 | OFTA Television Award | Online Film & Television Association | Best Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder (2014) |
| 2015 | TCA Award | Television Critics Association Awards | Individual Achievement in Drama | How to Get Away with Murder (2014) |
| 2015 | Golden Globe | Golden Globes, USA | Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama | How to Get Away with Murder (2014) |
| 2015 | BET Award | BET Awards | Best Actress | The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them (2014) |
| 2015 | Black Reel | Black Reel Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress, Motion Picture | The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him (2013) |
| 2013 | Black Reel | Black Reel Awards | Best Actress | Won’t Back Down (2012) |
| 2012 | COFCA Award | Central Ohio Film Critics Association | Best Actress | The Help (2011) |
| 2012 | COFCA Award | Central Ohio Film Critics Association | Best Ensemble | The Help (2011) |
| 2012 | GFCA Award | Georgia Film Critics Association (GFCA) | Best Actress | The Help (2011) |
| 2012 | Gold Derby Award | Gold Derby Awards | Lead Actress | The Help (2011) |
| 2012 | Grace Award | MovieGuide Awards | Most Inspiring Performance in Movies | The Help (2011) |
| 2012 | OFTA Film Award | Online Film & Television Association | Best Actress | The Help (2011) |
| 2012 | Teen Choice Award | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Movie Actress: Drama | The Help (2011) |
| 2012 | Oscar | Academy Awards, USA | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role | The Help (2011) |
| 2012 | Golden Globe | Golden Globes, USA | Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama | The Help (2011) |
| 2012 | BAFTA Film Award | BAFTA Awards | Best Leading Actress | The Help (2011) |
| 2012 | EDA Female Focus Award | Alliance of Women Film Journalists | Female Icon of the Year | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | Black Reel | Black Reel Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Eat Pray Love (2010) |
| 2011 | DFCS Award | Detroit Film Critic Society, US | Best Actress | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | Golden Schmoes | Golden Schmoes Awards | Best Actress of the Year | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | HFCS Award | Houston Film Critics Society Awards | Best Actress | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | United States of Tara (2009) |
| 2011 | PFCS Award | Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | SDFCS Award | San Diego Film Critics Society Awards | Best Actress | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | SLFCA Award | St. Louis Film Critics Association, US | Best Actress | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | VVFP Award | Village Voice Film Poll | Best Actress | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | WAFCA Award | Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Awards | Best Actress | The Help (2011) |
| 2011 | WIN Award | Women’s Image Network Awards | Actress Feature Film | The Help (2011) |
| 2010 | IOFCP Award | International Online Film Critics’ Poll | Best Ensemble Cast | Doubt (2008) |
| 2009 | Critics Choice Award | Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt (2008) |
| 2009 | Critics Choice Award | Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards | Best Acting Ensemble | Doubt (2008) |
| 2009 | Gold Derby Award | Gold Derby Awards | Supporting Actress | Doubt (2008) |
| 2009 | OFTA Film Award | Online Film & Television Association | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt (2008) |
| 2009 | OFCS Award | Online Film Critics Society Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt (2008) |
| 2009 | Actor | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role | Doubt (2008) |
| 2009 | Actor | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | Doubt (2008) |
| 2009 | TFCA Award | Toronto Film Critics Association Awards | Best Supporting Performance, Female | Doubt (2008) |
| 2009 | VFCC Award | Vancouver Film Critics Circle | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt (2008) |
| 2009 | Oscar | Academy Awards, USA | Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role | Doubt (2008) |
| 2009 | Golden Globe | Golden Globes, USA | Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture | Doubt (2008) |
| 2008 | CFCA Award | Chicago Film Critics Association Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt (2008) |
| 2008 | ICP Award | Indiewire Critics’ Poll | Best Supporting Performance | Doubt (2008) |
| 2008 | EDA Special Mention Award | Alliance of Women Film Journalists | Unforgettable Moment | Doubt (2008) |
| 2004 | Gold Derby TV Award | Gold Derby Awards | Drama Guest Actress | The Practice (1997) |
| 2003 | Black Reel | Black Reel Awards | Theatrical – Best Supporting Actress | Solaris (2002) |
| 2003 | Gold Derby Award | Gold Derby Awards | Ensemble Cast | Far from Heaven (2002) |
| 2003 | Independent Spirit Award | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Supporting Female | Antwone Fisher (2002) |
| 2003 | OFTA Television Award | Online Film & Television Association | Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series | The Practice (1997) |
2nd Place Awards
| Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | NSFC Award | National Society of Film Critics Awards, USA | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt (2008) |
| 2008 | BSFC Award | Boston Society of Film Critics Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt (2008) |
| 2008 | LAFCA Award | Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt (2008) |
| 2008 | NYFCC Award | New York Film Critics Circle Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt (2008) |
| 2008 | SEFCA Award | Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt (2008) |
| 2008 | VVFP Award | Village Voice Film Poll | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt (2008) |
| 2008 | ACCA | Awards Circuit Community Awards | Best Cast Ensemble | Doubt (2008) |