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Viola Davis

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For other people named Viola Davis, seeViola Davis (disambiguation).

Viola Davis
Davis at the 2016San Diego Comic-Con
Born(1965-08-11)August 11, 1965(age 58)
St. Matthews, South Carolina,U.S.
Education
Occupations
  • Actress
  • producer
Years active1988–present
WorksFull list
Spouse
Julius Tennon
​
(m.2003)​
Children1
RelativesMike Colter(second cousin)
AwardsFull list

Viola Davis(/vaɪˈoʊlə/vy-OH-lə;born August 11, 1965)[1]is an American actress and film producer. Known forher work across screen and stage,her accoladesinclude both theTriple Crown of Actingand theEGOT.[a]Timenamed her one of the100 most influential people in the worldin 2012 and 2017.[2][3]In 2020,The New York Timesranked her ninth on its list of the greatest actors of the 21st century.[4][5]

A graduate ofJuilliard,Davis began her career inCentral Falls, Rhode Island,appearing in small stage productions, before expanding to screen with minor roles in film and television during the late 1990s and early 2000s. She won twoTony Awards—Best Featured Actress in a PlayandBest Actress in a Play—for the respective roles of Tonya in the 2001Broadwayproduction ofAugust Wilson'sKing Hedley IIand Rose Maxson in the Broadway revival of Wilson's playFences(2010).[6]

The dramaDoubt(2008) earned Davis her firstAcademy Awardnomination. She received nominations for theAcademy Award for Best Actressfor playing a 1960s housemaid inThe Help(2011) andMa Raineyin the biopicMa Rainey's Black Bottom(2020). She won theAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actressfor reprising her role in the2016 film adaptation ofFences.Her role as lawyerAnnalise Keatingin theABCdrama seriesHow to Get Away with Murder(2014–2020) won her thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series,making her the first black actress to do so.[b]Davis is also recognized for appearing in big budget blockbusters, playingAmanda Wallerin theDC Extended Universe,beginning withSuicide Squad(2016), and leading the historical action filmThe Woman King(2022).

Davis and her husband are founders of the production company JuVee Productions, and she is also widely recognized for her advocacy and support forhuman rightsandwomen of color.She became aL'Oréal Parisambassador in 2019. The audiobook narration of her 2022 memoirFinding Mewon her theGrammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording.

Early life and education[edit]

Davis was born on August 11, 1965, inSt. Matthews, South Carolina,[7]to Mae Alice Davis (née Logan) and Dan Davis.[8][9][10]She was born on her grandmother's farm on the Singleton Plantation.[11]Her father was a horse trainer, and her mother was a maid, factory worker and homemaker.[12][13][14]She is the second youngest of six children, having four sisters and a brother.[15]Soon after she was born, her parents moved with Davis and two of her older siblings toCentral Falls, Rhode Island,leaving her other siblings with her grandparents.[10]

Her mother was also an activist during theCivil Rights Movement.[14]When she was two years old, Davis was taken to jail with her mother after she was arrested during a civil rights protest.[16]She has described herself as having "lived in abject poverty and dysfunction" during her childhood,[17]recalling living in "rat-infested and condemned" apartments.[18]Davis is a second cousin of actorMike Colter,known for portraying theMarvel ComicscharacterLuke Cage.[19]

Davis attendedCentral Falls High School,the alma mater to which she partially credits her love of stage acting with her involvement in the arts.[20]As a teenager, she was involved in the federalTRIO Upward BoundandTRIO Student Support Servicesprograms.[21]While enrolled at the Young People's School for the Performing Arts inWest Warwick, Rhode Island,Davis's talent was recognized by a director at the program, Bernard Masterson.[22]

After graduating from high school, Davis studied atRhode Island College,majoring in theater and participating in theNational Student Exchangebefore graduating in 1988. Next, she attended theJuilliard Schoolfor four years,[13][14]and was a member of the school's Drama Division "Group 22" (1989–93).[23]

Career[edit]

Early work and breakthrough on stage (1992–1999)[edit]

In 1992, Davis starred in her first professional stage role, an off Broadway production ofWilliam Shakespeare's comedyAs You Like Itas Denis alongsideElizabeth McGovernat theDelacorte Theatre.In 1996, Davis made her Broadway debut in the original Broadway production ofAugust Wilson'sSeven Guitarsas the Vera, alongsideKeith David.The play opened on Broadway on March 6 at theWalter Kerr Theatre.She earned critical praise for her performance.[24][25]That same year, Davis received herScreen Actors Guildcard in 1996 for doing one day of work, playing a nurse who passes a vial of blood to futureHow to Get Away with Murderco-starTimothy Huttonin the filmThe Substance of Fire(1996). She was paid $518.[26]Davis continued acting off Broadway in various productions, and appeared in bit parts on television including episodes ofNYPD Blue(1996), andNew York Undercover(1996). She also appeared in theHBOtelevision military comedy film,The Pentagon Wars(1996) starringKelsey Grammer,andCary Elwes.In 1998, she played a small role inSteven Soderbergh's crime comedy filmOut of Sight(1999).

Film breakthrough and further stage success (2000–2010)[edit]

In 2001, she returned to the Broadway stage in another play byAugust WilsontitledKing Hedley II,portraying Tonya, a "35-year-old mother fighting eloquently for the right to abort a pregnancy." Her performance earned critical attention, and she received her firstTony AwardforBest Featured Actress in a Playand aDrama Desk Award.[27]She won another Drama Desk Award for her work in a 2004off-Broadwayproduction ofIntimate ApparelbyLynn Nottage.

Throughout the early 2000s Davis appeared in numerous films, including Soderbergh'sSolarisandTraffic,as well asGeorge Clooney'sSyriana(2005), which Soderbergh produced. Hers was the uncredited voice of the parole board interrogator who questions Danny Ocean (Clooney) in the first scene inOcean's Eleven(2001).[28]She also gave brief performances in the romantic comedyKate & Leopold(2001) and the dramaAntwone Fisher(2002). She also played secondary roles inTodd Haynes' costume dramaFar From Heaven(2002), starringJulianne MooreandDennis Quaid.Her television work includes a recurring role inLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit,[29]starring roles in two short-lived series,TravelerandCentury City,[30]and a special guest appearance in aLaw & Order: Criminal Intentepisode entitled "Badge".[31]

In 2005 and 2006, Davis began a recurring role oppositeTom Selleckin a series of films made for television based on novels byRobert B. Parker,Jesse Stone: Stone Cold,Jesse Stone: Night PassageandJesse Stone: Death in Paradise.

Davis at the81st Academy Awardsin 2009, where she received her firstAcademy Awardnomination forDoubt(2008)

In 2008, Davis played Mrs. Miller in the film adaptation of theBroadwayplay byJohn Patrick Shanley,Doubt,withMeryl Streep,Philip Seymour Hoffman,andAmy Adams.Though Davis had only a few scenes in the film, she remained a highlight of the film with noted film criticRoger Ebertof theChicago Sun-Timesspecifically praising her performance writing, "It lasts about 10 minutes, but it is the emotional heart and soul ofDoubt,and if Viola Davis isn't nominated by the Academy, an injustice will have been done. "Ebert would further go on to write," She goes face to face with the pre-eminent film actress of this generation, and it is a confrontation of two equals that generates terrifying power. "[32][33]She was nominated for several awards for her performance, including aScreen Actors Guild Award,aGolden Globe Awardand anAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actress.[34]

On June 30, 2009, Davis was inducted into theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.[35]

In 2010, Davis returned to Broadway in her third August Wilson play, this time a revival ofFencesas Rose Maxson, acting alongsideDenzel Washington.Her performance received raves from critics in particular theatre criticBen BrantleyofThe New York Timeswho described Davis' performance as "extraordinary", adding "Ms. Davis, who won a Tony for her performance in Wilson'sKing Hedley II,may well pick up another for her work here. Her face is a poignant paradox, both bone-tired and suffused with sensual radiance. "[36]On June 13, 2010, Davis won her secondTony Awardfor her performance.[37]She was the second African-American to win the Tony for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play, afterPhylicia Rashad.[citation needed]

In 2010 Davis had small roles in the romantic comedy thrillerKnight and DaystarringTom CruiseandCameron Diazand the romantic comedyEat Pray LovestarringJulia Roberts.That same year she also played the role of Dr. Minerva inIt's Kind of a Funny Story(2010), a coming-of-age film written and directed byAnna BodenwithRyan Fleck,adapted from the2006 novelbyNed Vizzini.[38]

Worldwide recognition and continued acclaim (2011–2016)[edit]

In August 2011, Davis starred as Aibileen Clark, a housemaid in 1960s Mississippi, in the film adaptation ofKathryn Stockett's novelThe Help,directed byTate Taylor,and co-starring alongsideEmma Stone,Octavia Spencer,Bryce Dallas Howard,andJessica Chastain.[39]Davis described her performance in the film as channeling her mother and grandmother saying, "I feel like I brought my mom to life; I've channeled her spirit. I channeled the spirit of my grandmother, and I've kind of paid homage to how they've contributed to my life and the lives of so many people".[39]She has since expressed deep regret over taking on the role; although she still admires the people she worked with, she does not think the story or portrayal is truthful about the lives of the black characters.[40]Davis gained praise for her work and eventually won twoScreen Actors Guild Awards,in addition to receiving her second Academy Award nomination,[41][42][43]as well asGolden Globe AwardandBAFTA Awardnominations.[44][45]

In 2012,Timemagazine listed Davis as one of the most influential people in the world.[46]Also in 2012,Glamourmagazine named Davis Glamour's Film Actress of the year.[47]On June 12, 2012, Davis received theWomen in Film's Crystal Award.[48]In 2014, Davis reunited withThe HelpdirectorTate TaylorinGet on Up,a biopic ofJames Brown,playing Brown's mother.[49]Her daughter, Genesis, also appeared in the film.[50]

Davis at the2015 Screen Actors Guild Awards

In February 2014, Davis was cast inPeter Nowalk's pilotHow to Get Away with Murder(executive produced byShonda Rhimesfor herShondaLandproduction company) as the lead character.[51]Her character, Annalise Keating, is a tough criminal defense attorney and professor who becomes entangled in murder plot with her students.[52][53][54]It began as a series in September 2014.[55]In September 2015, Davis became the first African-American to win thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Seriesfor her role onHow to Get Away with Murder.[56][57]She received a secondPrimetime Emmy Awardnomination for the role in 2016.[58]Davis also won twoScreen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Seriesin 2014 and 2015.[59]She received nominations from theGolden Globe Awards for Best Actress – Television Series DramaandCritics' Choice AwardforBest Actress in a Drama Seriesfor her performance on the show.[60]

In 2015, Davis appeared inBlackhat,aMichael Mann-directed thriller film starringChris Hemsworth.[61]Davis also served as executive-producer of the crime drama filmLila & Eve,starring herself andJennifer Lopezin the titular roles.[62]In 2016, Davis starred in the courtroom dramaCustody,on which she also served as an executive producer,[63]and playedAmanda Wallerin the filmSuicide Squad,an adaptation of a DC Comics series of thesame name.[64]

In 2016, Davis reprised her role as Rose Maxson for the film adaptation ofFencesdirected by and starringDenzel Washington.Her performance garnered critical acclaim and she received her third Academy Award nomination, making her the first black actress in history to achieve this feat.[65]She subsequently went on to win theAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actress,theGolden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress,theScreen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role,[66]and theBAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.[67]

Established actress (2017–present)[edit]

In 2017, Davis was presented with the 2,597th star on theHollywood Walk of Fameby herDoubtco-star and friendMeryl Streep.While accepting the honor, Davis said: "It's like my life flashing before my eyes, and all I can say is, God has blessed my life in abundance."[68]Davis was also listed among and a featured cover star ofTimemagazine's "100 Most Influential People" List for the second time, her first being in 2012.[69]Streep penned the article in the magazine, referring to Davis as having "carved a place for herself on the Mount Rushmore of the 21st century", commenting that "her gifts as an artist are unassailable, undeniable, deep and rich and true. But her importance in the culture – her ability to identify it, her willingness to speak about it and take on responsibility for it – is what marks her for greatness."[70]In March 2017, Davis was awarded the Artist of the Year Award atHarvard University.[71]

Also in 2017, Davis announced that she would write the sequel to the classic picture bookCorduroy,titledCorduroy Takes a Bow.In a press release, Davis stated that "Corduroy has always held a special place in my life, first as a child paging through it, and then again with my daughter, introducing her to the adventures of that adorable teddy bear".[72]The book was published byPenguin Random Houselater in 2018.[73][74]

Davis in 2022

In 2018, Davis debutedTwo-Sides,a documentary series exploring police brutality towards the African-American community. The series debuted onTV One,running through till mid-February.[75]Davis also starred alongside fellowShondalandcostarKerry Washingtonfor a special two-hour crossover episode ofHow to Get Away with MurderandScandal,aptly titledHow to Get Away with Scandal.Davis's guest appearance garnered her a fourth Emmy Award nomination, and her first forOutstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.[76]That same year, Davis starred in theSteve McQueenheist thrillerWidowsalongsideCynthia Erivo,Elizabeth Debicki,Michelle Rodriguez,andLiam Neeson.The film was an adaptation of the popular1983 British miniseries.She received critical acclaim, with film critic Eric Kohn ofIndieWirewriting, that the film "largely belongs to Davis...the actress has never been more commanding".[77]She received her secondBritish Academy Film Awardnomination forBest Actress in a Leading Rolefor her performance.[78]

In 2020, Davis served as an executive producer and appeared in the documentary filmGiving Voice,following students entering theAugust Wilsonmonologue competition for a chance to compete on Broadway.[79][80]That same year, she starred alongsideChadwick Boseman(in his final onscreen performance) as thetitular characterin the biographical dramaMa Rainey's Black Bottom,based on the1982 play of the same nameand directed byGeorge C. Wolfe.[81]She received critical acclaim and aScreen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Rolefor her performance,[82]in addition to her sixth Golden Globe Award nomination and her second Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, her fourth nomination overall.[83]With that nomination, she became the most-nominated black actress in the history of the Academy Awards,[84]as well as the first black actress to have been nominated for Best Actress more than once.[85]She also appeared on the cover of the July/August 2020 issue ofVanity Fair,photographed byDario Calmese.[86]

In 2021, Davis reprised her role asAmanda Wallerin thesuperhero filmThe Suicide Squad.[87]Also in 2021, she appeared alongsideSandra Bullockin the drama filmThe Unforgivable,directed byNora Fingscheidt.[88][89]Davis appeared uncredited as Amanda Waller in two episodes, "A Whole New Whirled"and"It's Cow or Never",in season 1 of the showPeacemaker,a spin-off ofThe Suicide Squad,and in the film,Black Adam.[90][91][92]Davis executive produced and played former First LadyMichelle ObamainThe First Lady,aShowtimedrama series. It premiered in April 2022.[93]After receiving criticism on social media for her portrayal, Davis responded by calling the disapproval "incredibly hurtful" and saying "it is my job as a leader to make bold choices."[94][95]In 2022, Davis starred inThe Woman King,inspired by true events that took place withinThe Kingdom of Dahomey.[96]The film tells the story of Nanisca, the general of an all-female military unit, played by Davis, and her daughter Nawi, played byThuso Mbedu.[97]Davis was the narrator atDisney's Candlelight ProcessionalatDisneylandin 2022.[98]In August 2022, it was reported that Davis was cast as Head Gamemaker Dr. Volumnia Gaul in the prequel toThe Hunger Gamesfilm series,The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.[99]In February 2023, it was announced that Davis will reprise her role as Amanda Waller in both the two upcoming HBO Max TV series, the animatedCreature Commandosand the live-actionWaller,with Christal Henry andJeremy Carveras the latter show's showrunners, a series that takes place between season 1 and season 2 ofPeacemaker,for which Davis will also serve as executive producer.[100]

In March 2024, to commemorate the 65th anniversary ofInternational Women's Day,Davis was one of a number of female celebrities had their likeness turned intoBarbie dolls.[101]

Also in March, Davis voiced the Chameleon, who was the main antagonist ofKung Fu Panda 4,the fourth installment in theeponymous franchise.

Philanthropy and activism[edit]

In 2011, Davis donated funds to her hometown public library in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to assist in preventing its closure due to a lack of city funding.[102]In 2018, Davis donated funds to her alma mater, Central Falls High School, for its theater program.[103][104][105]

Since 2014, Davis has collaborated with the Hunger Is campaign to help eradicate childhood hunger across America.[106]Speaking on her work, Davis said that "seventeen million kids in this country, so one in five kids in this country, go to bed hungry. I was one of those kids, because I grew up in abject poverty; I did everything that you could possibly imagine to get food: I rummaged in the garbage cans, I stole from the local store constantly."[107]As an honoree at the 2014VarietyPower of Women luncheon, Davis further commented that "the thing that made me join...was the word 'eradicate', 'get rid of' – not by thirty-percent not by twenty-percent not by fifty-percent, but to do away [with it]. Because everyone should be a child, and should grow up and have a chance at the American dream".[108]In September 2017, Davis started the $30K in 30 Days Project with Hunger Is, awarding a $1,000 grant to the Rhode Island Community food bank in her home state.[106]

As part of her partnership withVaselineto promote the Vaseline Healing Project, Davis attended the groundbreaking of a free community health center in Central Falls, Rhode Island in October 2016 that was sponsored by the project.[104]The project provides dermatological care to help heal the skin of those affected by poverty around the world.[109][110][111]She was also a speaker at the2018 Women's Marchevent in Los Angeles.[112]

On New Year's Eve 2020, Davis urged Georgia voters who voted via mail or dropbox to track their ballots to ensure their votes count, directing them toVoteRidersfor information and help to cure ballots that were not accepted.[113]

Personal life[edit]

Davis married actor Julius Tennon in June 2003.[114]In 2011, the couple adopted an infant daughter named Genesis. Davis is also a stepmother to Tennon's two children from previous relationships.[115]

Davis is aChristianand regularly attends services atOasis Churchin Los Angeles.[116][117]

Acting credits and accolades[edit]

Main articles:Viola Davis on screen and stageandList of awards and nominations received by Viola Davis

Davis is widely regarded as one of the greatest actresses of her generation.[10][118][119][120][121][122][123][124]Chris Murphy ofVanity Fairsaid she achieved her reputation and accolades by consistently "delivering deeply felt performances, unmatched in their ability to access a seemingly endless well of emotion while remaining undeniably grounded".[119]Steve McQueen,who directed Davis inWidows,called her "one of the greatest actors of her generation", believing she could act any role if allowed the opportunity.[125]

For her stage work, Davis has won twoTony Awards,threeDrama Desk Awards,anObie Award,and aTheater World Award.She holds the distinction of becoming the first actress of color to win thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.Davis is the first African-American to win fiveScreen Actors Guild Awards.[126]Davis is also tied for the most film wins for an actress at the Screen Actors Guild Awards; and with six overall wins, she is the most awarded African American.[127]She has also received nominations for sixGolden Globes Awardsand threeBritish Academy Film Awards,winning one of each, in addition to winning theAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actressfor her performance inFences(2016). This led to her becoming the first black performer to achieve theTriple Crown of Actingby winning a competitiveOscar,EmmyandTony.[128]She is also the first actress of color to have received four Academy Award nominations.[129]Davis was awarded an honorary doctorate in Fine Arts from her undergraduate alma mater,Rhode Island College,in 2002.[130]On January 20, 2020, Davis was awarded an honorary doctoral degree in fine arts fromIndiana University.[131]In February 2023, she was awarded theGrammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recordingfor the narration to her 2022 autobiographyFinding Me,making her the 18th person to achieveEGOTstatus.[132][133]

Davis has been recognized by theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences(AMPAS) for the following films:

Books[edit]

  • Davis, Viola (September 4, 2018).Corduroy Takes a Bow.New York: Viking Books for Young Readers.ISBN9780425291474.
  • Davis, Viola (April 22, 2022).Finding Me: An Oprah's Book Club Pick.New York: HarperOne.ISBN9780063037328.

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^Davis is the third performer, afterHelen HayesandRita Moreno,to achieve both statuses.
  2. ^Since then, onlyZendayahas achieved such, winning twice for her role inEuphoria(2019–present).
  3. ^Alongside Davis,Mahershala AliwonBest Supporting ActorforMoonlight,this marked the first time that bothsupporting rolewinners werepeople of color.Only once since have bothsupporting rolewinners been of another ethnicity other than white, this being in2021withDaniel KaluuyaandYoun Yuh-jung's respective wins for Best Supporting Actor andBest Supporting Actress.
  4. ^This, her fourth nomination, made Davis the first actressof colorto benominated four timesand twice in both acting categories.

References[edit]

  1. ^Viola Davis reveals a director repeatedly called her by his maid's name!.Avi Jain Industry. May 20, 2022. Event occurs at 00:44.RetrievedMay 12,2024– viaYouTube.
  2. ^"The 100 Most Influential People in the World".Time.April 18, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon April 22, 2012.
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  4. ^"Viola Davis Just Got A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame".The Huffington Post.December 21, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on December 22, 2016.RetrievedDecember 27,2020.
  5. ^Dargis, Manohla; Scott, A. O. (November 25, 2020)."The 25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century (So Far)".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Archivedfrom the original on December 1, 2020.RetrievedNovember 26,2020.
  6. ^Boroff, Philip (June 14, 2010)."Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, 'Memphis,' Win Top Tony Awards".Bloomberg News.Archivedfrom the original on May 7, 2013.RetrievedJuly 8,2012.
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  8. ^Rourke, Bryan (February 22, 2009)."Viola Davis' path from poverty in Central Falls to Hollywood glamour".The Providence Journal.Archived fromthe originalon February 27, 2009.
  9. ^Jordan, Julie (April 13, 2022)."Why Viola Davis Chose to Forgive Her Dad for Years of Abuse: 'I Wanted to Love Him'".People.RetrievedApril 24,2022.
  10. ^abcHughes, Jazmine(April 12, 2022)."Viola Davis, Inside Out".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on April 23, 2022.RetrievedApril 24,2022.How she drew on a life of private hardship to become one of the greatest actors of her generation.
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  12. ^"Veteran Actors, First Time Nominees".The Wall Street Journal.February 20, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on November 9, 2012.
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  113. ^@violadavis (December 21, 2020)."It's ballot fi xing season!"– viaInstagram.
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External links[edit]

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