TRIBUTE TO ANCESTORS: Viola Davis

Viola Davis, actress DOUBT 

Viola Davis Biography

Viola Davis was born on August 11, 1965 in St. Matthews, South Carolina. When she was just a child, her family moved from South Carolina to Central Falls, Rhode Island. As a teenager, Viola’s talent was recognized by Bernard Masterson when, as director of Young People’s School for the Performing Arts in Rhode Island, he awarded Viola a scholarship into that program. Viola, then, majored in theatre at Rhode Island College, graduating in 1988; in 2002 she received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from the college. She also attended the Juilliard School for four years.


Known primarily as a stage actress, Viola won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play and a Drama Desk Award for her role in ‘King Hedley II’ in 2001. She won a second Drama Desk Award for ‘Intimate Apparel’ in 2004. She has also done occasional guest appearances on TV shows over the years like ‘Law and Order.’


Viola has done exceptional work in films as well. They include ‘Traffic’ in 2000, ‘Antwone Fisher’ in 2002 and ‘Solaris’ with George Clooney in 2002. But it is her amazing performance in the movie ‘Doubt’ in 2008, with Meryl Streep that has brought her widespread recognition. She was nominated for several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.


Viola Davis has been married to actor Julius Tennon since 2003 and they have two children.

Viola Davis presented with best actress award for The Help by Robin Wright at 2012 Critic's Choice awards