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Viola Davis

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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]
[Replacement]
[Replacement]
[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


Photos: Rachel Zegler, Bowen Yang, & More at 2025 Academy Museum Gala Photo
Photos: Rachel Zegler, Bowen Yang, & More at 2025 Academy Museum Gala
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 20, 2025

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures held its fifth annual gala, with Broadway alums Rachel Zegler, George Clooney, Cristin Milioti, Billy Crudup, Colman Domingo, and many more in attendance. Check out photos from the evening now.
Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Joshua Boone Join JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE Photo
Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Joshua Boone Join JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE
by Stephi Wild - Oct 15, 2025

Additional casting has been announced for August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone on Broadway, starring Taraji P. Henson and Cedric “The Entertainer”. Learn more here!
Conrad Ricamora Will Lead A CHORUS LINE in the Philippines Photo
Conrad Ricamora Will Lead A CHORUS LINE in the Philippines
by Stephi Wild - Oct 15, 2025

Conrad Ricamora will make his Philippine stage debut in A Chorus Line next year! Performances will run in March 2026 at Samsung Performing Arts Theater. Ricamora will take on the role of Zach.
Cynthia Erivo to Lead New Animated Musical BAD FAIRIES From Warner Bros. Photo
Cynthia Erivo to Lead New Animated Musical BAD FAIRIES From Warner Bros.
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by Christine Swerczek - Sep 28, 2025

What did our critic think of DOUBT: A PARABLE at Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre Co.?
Tickets For Cynthia Erivo in DRACULA Go on Pre-sale This Month Photo
Tickets For Cynthia Erivo in DRACULA Go on Pre-sale This Month
by Stephi Wild - Sep 12, 2025

Tickets for Sydney Theatre Company's production of DRACULA, starring Cynthia Erivo, adapted and directed by visionary theatre-maker Kip Williams, will have a Priority On-Sale on Monday 22 September. 
Cynthia Erivo to Receive the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film Photo
Cynthia Erivo to Receive the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 19, 2025

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by Nicole Rosky - Aug 4, 2025

The Public will soon launch its Shakespeare Costume Exhibit in the Shiva Theater, opening this Wednesday, August 6 and continuing through Sunday, August 31. Check out photos from the exhibit here!
Exclusive: What Happens When the Great Teachers Are Gone? Photo
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by Helen Hayden - Aug 1, 2025

What happens when your mentors disappear? How do you honor serious classical training in an industry that’s shifting so rapidly toward digital performance and social media? It's a question that actress, writer, and filmmaker Helen Hayden has found herself asking recently. An alumna of Circle In the Square Theatre School (and Vice President on the Executive Board of its Alumni Association), she is sharing how she finds herself continuing to work as an actor while also carrying forward the Circle legacy. 
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by Josh Sharpe - Jul 24, 2025

Cynthia Erivo, who stars as Elphaba in the big-screen adaptation of Wicked, has recorded an audiobook for Elphie, Maguire's prequel novel, which was released in March. The new audiobook will be available on July 29.
2026 YoungArts Award Competition Open Now Through October 8 Photo
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by A.A. Cristi - Jul 23, 2025

YoungArts is now accepting applications for its 2026 awards competition. Artists ages 15–18 working across ten disciplines are eligible to apply online through October 8, 2025, for a chance to receive national recognition, cash prizes, and career-long support.
Bowen Yang, Bruce Springsteen, & More to be Honored at 2025 Academy Museum Gala Photo
Bowen Yang, Bruce Springsteen, & More to be Honored at 2025 Academy Museum Gala
by Josh Sharpe - Jul 17, 2025

Actress Penélope Cruz, director Walter Salles, Tony Award-winning musician Bruce Springsteen, and Wicked star and comedian Bowen Yang are set to be honored at The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures' annual fundraising gala on October 18, 2025.
Video: Cynthia Erivo Drops Live Version of New Song 'I Choose Love' Photo
Video: Cynthia Erivo Drops Live Version of New Song 'I Choose Love'
by Josh Sharpe - Jul 10, 2025

Cynthia Erivo is continuing to show off her vocals with the release of a live performance of I Choose Love. The song is featured on her latest album, I Forgive You, which was officially released last month. Check it out now!
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James Monroe Iglehart, Julia Murney and More to Star in IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 9, 2025

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Video: Cynthia Erivo Names Favorite Vocal Performances From Jennifer Holliday, Whitney Houston & More
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 30, 2025

Tony Award-winner Cynthia Erivo recently sat down with Entertainment Weekly to discuss her top 7 vocal performances from other artists, which include a range of performances from Whitney Houston to Luther Vandross to Beyoncé.
Cynthia Erivo to Produce SATURATION POINT Movie Adaptation Photo
Cynthia Erivo to Produce SATURATION POINT Movie Adaptation
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 30, 2025

Cynthia Erivo will produce a film adaptation of Adrian Tchaikovsky’s novel Saturation Point for Universal through her Edith’s Daughter production company.
Viola Davis and Walter Murch to Receive Honorary Degrees From the AFI Conservatory Photo
Viola Davis and Walter Murch to Receive Honorary Degrees From the AFI Conservatory
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 18, 2025

The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that it will confer a Doctorate of Fine Arts degree honoris causa for contributions of distinction to the art of the moving image upon trailblazing actress and producer Viola Davis and legendary film editor and sound designer Walter Murch.
Candace Nicholas-Lippman’s A ROSE CALLED CANDACE Makes L.A. Debut at The Robey Thea Photo
Candace Nicholas-Lippman’s A ROSE CALLED CANDACE Makes L.A. Debut at The Robey Theatre Company
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 6, 2025

The critically acclaimed Off-Broadway solo show A Rose Called Candace, written and performed by rising star Candace Nicholas-Lippman, will make its Los Angeles debut in a limited run at The Robey Theatre Company this June.
More News

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 won numerous awards throughout her career. She received the Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Fences and Special Citations from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. For Fences, she also earned Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards). She was recognized as Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Intimate Apparel, receiving Performance honors from the Obie Awards for the same play. Additionally, she won Outstanding Featured Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) and Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for King Hedley II, along with Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for King Hedley II. Her performances in Everybody's Ruby and Seven Guitars were also honored with awards from the Obie Awards and Theatre World Awards, respectively.

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