Viola Davis

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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.

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Viola Davis STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2010
Rose

[Off-Broadway]
2004
Esther

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2001
Tonya

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1999
Performer [Replacement]

Performer [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
1999
Ruby McCollum

[Off-Broadway]
1998
2nd Fisherman/Lychorida/Bawd

[Off-Broadway]
1997
Eleanor

[Broadway]
1996
Vera


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Photos: Adele, Ariana DeBose & More Attend The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment Gala

This morning, The Hollywood Reporter (THR) hosted its annual Women in Entertainment Breakfast Gala at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, honoring singer-songwriter Adele and actor, producer and activist Kerry Washington for their contributions and impact within the industry. Check out photos from the event now!

Gabby Beans, Samuel Henry Levine & More to Star in JONAH at Roundabout Theatre Company

Roundabout Theatre Company has revealed the complete cast for the world premiere of Jonah by Rachel Bonds, directed by Danya Taymor.

The Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater Makes Landmark $2 Million Gift to Roundabout Theatre Company and Reveals New Leadership

The Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater recently made a landmark $2 million gift to Roundabout Theatre Company, fulfilling a pledge made by its founder, Laura Pels, during a special campaign to mark the company’s 50th Anniversary.

Cast Set for Dominique Morisseau's SUNSET BABY at Signature Theatre

Signature Theatre has revealed the cast of Dominique Morisseau's 'Sunset Baby,' directed by Steve H. Broadnax III.

2024 YoungArts Award Winners Revealed

The 2024 YoungArts Award winners have been revealed, recognizing the most accomplished young artists from across the United States.

Photos: THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES Kicks Off Global Tour in Berlin, Germany

Director/producer Francis Lawrence, producer Nina Jacobson, writer Michael Lesslie, and production designer Uli Hanisch were joined on the red carpet with the incredible cast, featuring Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera and Viola Davis. Check out the photos now!

The Society Of Voice Arts And Sciences Announces 2023 Nominees

The Society of Voice Arts and Sciences announces the nominees for the 10th annual Voice Arts Awards Gala. The awards honor the industry's best voice-over actors from around the world.

Adele to be Honored With Sherry Lansing Leadership Award by The Hollywood Reporter

Attended by more than 750 industry leaders and VIPs, the invite-only gala coincides with the release of The Hollywood Reporter’s highly anticipated Women in Entertainment issue (on newsstands Dec. 7), which highlights the Power 100, a list of the most powerful female executives and talent in entertainment.

World Premiere of COVENANT Extended at Roundabout Underground

Roundabout Theatre Company will present a one-week extension of the world premiere of Covenant by York Walker, directed by Tiffany Nichole Greene.

World Premiere of COVENANT to Open at Roundabout Underground Tomorrow

Roundabout Theatre Company will present the world premiere of Covenant by York Walker, directed by Tiffany Nichole Greene, which opens tomorrow, October 26.

Video: Go Behind THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES

Go behind the scenes of THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES in a new video that foes inside the world of Panem and its characters, 64 years before the first installment of THE HUNGER GAMES. Get an in-depth look at the story, costumes, production design, and music with director-producer Francis Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson.

Raue Center School For The Arts Will Host Three Fall Classes

 Raue Center has announced the return of its School for the Arts education program (RCSA) with three new classes. 

Ben Affleck's AIR to Receive the Gotham Awards' Visionary Icon & Creator Tribute

The Gotham Film & Media Institute announced that AIR, the Amazon MGM Studios sports dramedy directed by Academy Award winning filmmaker Ben Affleck, will receive The Gotham Visionary Icon & Creator Tribute at the 33rd annual Gotham Awards Ceremony. Nominees for the Gotham Awards will be announced on Tuesday, October 24th. 

WAM to Present Musical Trio For Fall Cabaret

WAM Theatre has just announced a thrilling musical trio for their upcoming Fall Cabaret, which will run for 4 nights only. Get all the details about the dates and venue here.

Marlon Wayans to Present a One-Night-Only Performance at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas

Mark your calendars for January 13, 2024, as Marlon Wayans takes the stage at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas for a special one-night-only performance. Don't miss this hilarious event and secure your tickets now!

The Ritz Theatre Company to Present August Wilson's MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM This Month

Don't miss the riveting production of August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at The Ritz Theatre Company. Explore themes of rage, racism, self-hatred, and exploitation in this powerful drama.

Jim Gaffigan To Return To Encore Theater At Wynn Las Vegas With BARELY ALIVE TOUR in April 2024

Jim Gaffigan is returning to Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas with his 'Barely Alive Tour' in April 2024. Get all the details here.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld September 21st, 2023

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is September 21, 2023 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours: 

Video: Watch Rachel Zegler Sing in THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES Trailer

The new trailer for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes has been released, starring West Side Story's Rachel Zegler. She reunites with her West Side Story co-star Josh Andrés Rivera in the film, also starring Tom Blyth, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Jason Schwartzman, and Viola Davis. Watch the video trailer now!

2023 Gotham Awards to Present George C. Wolfe's RUSTIN With the Icon & Creator Tribute for Social Justice

Rustin celebrates the man who, alongside giants like the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Adam Clayton Powell Jr., and Ella Baker, dared to imagine a different world and stars Colman Domingo, Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, Aml Ameen, Gus Halper, CCH Pounder, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Johnny Ramey, Michael Potts, with Jeffrey Wright and Audra McDonald.

Viola Davis FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Viola Davis has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

Viola Davis has not appeared in the West End

Viola Davis has been nominated for several awards throughout her career. Some of her notable nominations include 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 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."

Viola Davis has won several awards for her performances in various Broadway plays. She won the Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play award at the Drama Desk Awards for her role in "Fences." She also received Special Citations from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. Davis won the Outstanding Actress in a Play award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for her performance in "Fences," and she also won the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for the same play. In addition to her achievements in "Fences," Davis won the Outstanding Actress - Play award at the Drama Desk Awards for "Intimate Apparel" and received a Performance award at the Obie Awards for the same play. She also won the Outstanding Featured Actress - Play award at the Drama Desk Awards and the Outstanding Actress in a Play award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for her role in "King Hedley II." Davis's performance in "King Hedley II" also earned her the Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play at the Tony Awards. Furthermore, Davis received a Performance award at the Obie Awards for "Everybody's Ruby" and a Performance award at the Theatre World Awards for "Seven Guitars."

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