Viola Davis

Viola Davis
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Name:
Viola Davis
Who is:
Birth date:
(59 y.o.)
Place of birth:
St. Matthews, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:
5'5 ft ()
Weight:
130 lb (59 kg)
Namesakes:
Birth Sign:
(characteristic)
Chinese zodiac:
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Biography of Viola Davis

Viola Davis is a popular theatre and film actress. She's earned four Oscar nominations and won the coveted statue in 2017 for Best Supporting Actress in "Fences." For the same role, she was awarded a "Golden Globe" and a BAFTA award.
Viola Davis is a talented actress and a well-known philanthropist
Viola Davis is a talented actress and a well-known philanthropist
She's also a multiple Screen Actors Guild Award winner. Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2012.

Childhood and Youth

Viola was born on a small South Carolina farm to Mary Alice, a housekeeper, and Dan Davis, a horse trainer. When the family moved to Rhode Island, young Viola faced racial prejudice—challenges that only strengthened her resolve.
Right: Viola Davis in her childhood; Left: The actress with her mom
Right: Viola Davis in her childhood; Left: The actress with her mom
Viola was the fifth of six children in the Davis family. Money was tight for the large family, covering only the basics. So the kids created their own entertainment, putting on impromptu performances with characters they'd invented. Even then, Viola's natural acting talent shone through.
Viola Davis Reveals Details Of Her Tragic Childhood
During her final school years, Viola joined a youth organization that supported young African Americans facing discrimination. After graduation, she chose to stay in town despite its intolerant atmosphere and enrolled at the local college. Her first theater production came during college—the moment Viola knew she wanted to make acting her career.
Viola Davis in her youth and now
Viola Davis in her youth and now
After college, Viola headed to New York's prestigious Juilliard School, where she refined her craft. After graduating in 1993, Davis built her reputation primarily in theater, earning numerous prestigious stage awards.
1993: Graduating from the Juilliard School of Arts
1993: Graduating from the Juilliard School of Arts

Acting Career

She made her big-screen debut with a small role as a nurse in "The Substance of Fire" (1996). She appeared in several films by Steven Soderbergh ("Out of Sight", "Traffic", and "Solaris"). She became well known to TV audiences through the detective series "Law & Order".
A scene from the series "Law & Order"
A scene from the series "Law & Order"
Her film career breakthrough came with a supporting role in John Shanley's drama "Doubt" (2008), where her co-star was the legendary Meryl Streep. For this brief but powerful 11-minute performance, Viola earned nominations for both the Oscar and Golden Globe.
In real life, Viola Davis and Meryl Streep are good friends
In real life, Viola Davis and Meryl Streep are good friends
Though she didn't win that time, she caught the attention of critics and major directors. Two years later, she landed the lead role in the drama "The Help", where she showcased her full range as an actress. This role was deeply meaningful to her - it gave her a platform to address the ongoing fight against racism.
Viola Davis in the movie "The Help"
Viola Davis in the movie "The Help"
"The Help" earned her another round of prestigious Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, plus she won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor. After this success, Viola Davis solidified her place among Hollywood's A-list actors.
Viola Davis and her first "Oscar" (2017)
Viola Davis and her first "Oscar" (2017)
In 2016, Davis appeared in the highly anticipated action film "Suicide Squad". She played government agent Amanda Waller, who runs the "Suicide Squad" operation. Under her command, villains including Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), assassin Deadshot (Will Smith), pyromaniac El Diablo, and the sarcastic Captain Boomerang are deployed to take down the Enchantress (Cara Delevingne).
Viola Davis played Amanda Waller from "Suicide Squad"
Viola Davis played Amanda Waller from "Suicide Squad"
In 2017, she won her first Oscar. She won in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in Denzel Washington's drama "Fences". The film tackled racial issues, exploring the struggles of African Americans in 1950s America. She had previously starred in the Broadway production of the same name, earning her a Tony Award.
A scene from the movie "Fences" (2017)
A scene from the movie "Fences" (2017)
Davis's emotional acceptance speech moved everyone in the audience to tears. Many felt she deserved another Oscar just for that powerful speech. People ask me all the time, what kind of stories do you want to tell, Viola? And I say, exhume those bodies. Exhume those stories. The stories of the people who dreamed big and never saw those dreams to fruition. People who fell in love and lost. I became an artist and thank god I did because we are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life.
Viola Davis' speech at the Oscar-2017
In 2018, the drama "Widows" premiered, in which Viola Davis appeared in the company of Elizabeth Debicki and Michelle Rodriguez. She played Veronica Rawlings, the wife of Harry (Liam Neeson), who made his living robbing high-profile targets. When he's killed during a heist gone wrong, Veronica must tackle massive debts while hunting down those responsible for her husband's death.
A scene from the movie "Widows"
A scene from the movie "Widows"
In 2019, Viola appeared in the family film "Troop Zero", and at the end of 2020, the biographical drama by George C. Wolfe "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" premiered on Netflix, in which Davis played the leading role - the legendary blues singer. On set, she worked alongside Chadwick Boseman, who played trumpeter Levi in what would become one of his final roles. For this role, Viola Davis was nominated for "Oscar" for the fourth time, but lost to Frances McDormand for "Nomadland".
Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman in the movie "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"
In 2021, she returned to the role of Amanda Waller in the new "Suicide Squad" from James Gunn, and in 2022 she transformed into Michelle Obama for the series "The First Lady".
Viola Davis played Michelle Obama in the series "The First Lady"
Viola Davis played Michelle Obama in the series "The First Lady"
In the same year, Viola played the leading role in the historical drama "The Woman King". She plays General Nanisca, leader of an African tribe of female warriors fighting for her people's independence. Davis called this Golden Globe-nominated film "the main one in her career."
Viola Davis in the movie "The Woman King"
Viola Davis in the movie "The Woman King"

Personal Life of Viola Davis

Viola Davis has been happily married to actor Julius Tennon since 2003. Her husband is eleven years older than she is, and he has two children from a previous marriage. In 2011, Julius and Viola adopted a newborn girl, Genesis.
Viola Davis and her husband Julius Tennon
Viola Davis and her husband Julius Tennon
In 2016, the drama "Fences" was released in which the couple worked together.
Viola Davis with her adopted daughter Genesis
Viola Davis with her adopted daughter Genesis
That same year, the actress's name appeared in the list of the most influential mothers in America according to Working Mother magazine.
Viola Davis Extended Interview - The Jennifer Hudson Show

Viola Davis Now

Viola Davis was tapped to star in a biographical film about Harriet Tubman, the legendary freedom fighter who helped enslaved people escape through the Underground Railroad. The project's current status remains uncertain.

Davis was also set to headline "Waller," a solo series about the Amanda Waller character, slated for a 2024 release. The showrunner for the project was Crystal Henry, with James Gunn as the executive producer. She also voiced Chameleon, the main villain in "Kung Fu Panda 4."
Viola Davis voiced Chameleon in part 4 of 'Kung Fu Panda'
Viola Davis voiced Chameleon in part 4 of 'Kung Fu Panda'