Top 10 Amazing Facts About Viola Davis

Viola Davis. Photo by Gage Skidmore. Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Amazing Facts About Viola Davis

Viola Davis is a famous American actress and producer known for her outstanding talent in the entertainment industry. She was born on the 11^th of August 1965, in St. Matthews, South Carolina. She is the descendant of Mae Alice Davis and Dan Davis. She was born and raised in a humble family, however, her powerful performance and unwavering dedication to her craft have elevated her to a revered and successful actress. She began acting at a young age and she has managed to have a thriving career over the years and playing critical roles in several films. Her remarkable performance has been rewarded severally and earned her numerous accolades and critical acclaim. Her unwavering determination has earned her a name as one of the most successful and respected actresses in Hollywood. Through sheer hard work, and against all odds she redefined the perspective of the Black woman in the entertainment industry. Over three decades she continues to inspire her audiences around the world with incredible performance. In this article, we will explore 10 amazing facts about Viola Davis and her achievements and influence.

1. Viola Davis was raised in a very Humble Background

Viola Davis. Photo by Flickr. Wikimedia Commons

Viola Davis was not lucky to be born and raised in a wealthy family. She was born and raised in St. Mathews, South Carolina on her grandmother’s farm. Her mother was a maid, homemaker, and factory worker who make all efforts to see her children meet their daily needs. Her father was a horse trainer. She is the second youngest in a family of six children. However, soon after her birth, her parents moved with her to Central Falls in Rhode Island. At the age of two, she was taken to jail together with her mother who was an activist at the moment. She lived in absolute poverty during her childhood which she described as having “lived in abject poverty and dysfunction”

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2. She attended College to Pursue a Degree in Theatre

Viola had immense interest and talent in acting. This drove her to begin acting at a young age when she was involved in acting in the TRIO Upward Bound and TRIO Student Support Services programs. She was exceptionally talented and pursued a degree in theatre at Rhodes Island College where she graduated in 1988. Between 1988 to 1993, she attended the Juilliard School where she became a member of the school’s Drama Division “Group 22”

3. She is the first African American to win the “Triple Crown of Acting”

Viola Davis. Photo by Gage Skidmore . Wikimedia Commons

Viola Davis has gone ahead to make her name from acting. She has however been awarded accordingly having been the first African American to be awarded the “Triple Crown of Acting”. She has also won several accolades including being named one of the 100 most influential people in the world both in 2012 and 2017. She was also ranked ninth in the list of greatest actors of the 21^st century by the New York Times. The three awards that make up the “Triple Crown of Acting” include

4. Viola Rose to Prominence from her role in the 2008 film “Doubt”

Viola Davis rose to fame in 2008 from her fascinating role in the film “Doubt” where she played Mrs. Miller. She was so outstanding in the role which saw her nominated for several awards which included Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Since then she has become a significant figure in the entertainment industry and has gone ahead to feature in several films and win major awards.

5. She is a passionate Advocate for Social Justice and an Activist

Viola Davis is an advocate of social justice taking from her mother who was also an activist. She donated funds to her hometown to prevent the closure of the public Library back in 2011. She also collaborated with the “Hunger Is Campaign” to mitigate and eradicate childhood hunger in America since 2014. She is also outspoken in matters regarding racism, gender discrimination, and poverty among others. This could however have resulted from her situation during her childhood where she went ahead to anything to access food including stealing from local stores and rummaging in the garbage.

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6. She is Married to an Actor Named Julius Tennon

Julius Tennon and Viola Davis. Photo by Chrisa Hickey. Wikimedia Commons

Viola Davis got married to Julius Tennon in June 2003. He is also an actor and together they adopted a daughter named Genesis in 2011. However, Tennon had two daughters from his previous relationships and Viola is their stepmother. The couple met in 1999 on the set of City of Angels before marrying in 2003. They are both the cofounders of JuVee Productions among other establishments.

7. She has been named 100 Most Influential People in the World Thrice

Viola has had a very successful career in acting and producing. She is an award-winning actress who has continued to influence the entertainment industry over the years. She was named among the 100 most influential people in the world for the first time in 2012, then in 2017 and 2020 by Times. She has also been ranked one of the greatest actors of the twenty-first century.  She has also been awarded a Tony Award four times and Primetime Emmy Award six times.

8. Viola Davis was a Victim of Sexual Assault as a youngster

Viola Davis opened up about being assaulted sexually while at a young age and has strived to raise awareness about it. She was a victim of sexual assault and domestic violence which could have been caused by poverty and being looked down upon. However, she has come out openly to talk about her own experiences and used her platform to advocate for social justice.

9. She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Viola Davis’s talent and outstanding performance have not gone unnoticed as she has been recognized severally and awarded many accolades. She received a star on the Hollywood walk of fame in 2017 becoming the first celebrity to be presented with the star. The ceremony to present her with the star was eventful with her husband and daughter, Genesis being present. In the same year, she was also awarded the Harvard Foundation’s Artist of the year where she was recognized for her contributions to the art and other works.

10. She has been involved in several stage productions

Viola Davis. Photo by GabboT. Wikimedia Commons

Viola Davis has earned recognition globally for her sensational work in the entertainment industry. Since her debut film, she has been involved in acting for years to date. Some of her outstanding television shows include “How to Get Away with Murder” where she was awarded an Emmy Awarded for Best Actress for her role as Annalise Keating in 2015. Others include “Law and Order” among others.

Viola Davis is a successful figure and has contributed significantly to the entertainment industry. She has been recognized globally for her talent and her advocacy of issues related to women’s rights, poverty, and hunger. Having experienced and grown up in extreme poverty at a young age she is very vocal and generous in supporting the needy in society.