Career Timeline of Kerry Washington: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Kerry Washington built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Kerry Washington is an accomplished American actress recognized with numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and nominations for Golden Globe and Tony Awards. Her influence was recognized by Time magazine, which included her in their 100 list of most influential people in 2014. Further highlighting her success, Forbes named her the eighth highest-paid television actress in 2018. She is a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
1994: Screen Debut in Magical Make-Over
In 1994, Kerry Washington made her screen debut in the ABC telefilm Magical Make-Over.
1996: Cast Member of Standard Deviants
In 1996, Kerry Washington was in the cast of the PBS sketch comedy-style educational series Standard Deviants.
2000: Appearances in '3D' and 'Our Song'
In 2000, Kerry Washington appeared in the short "3D" and the feature film Our Song.
2000: Feature Film Debut in Our Song
In 2000, Kerry Washington made her feature film debut, acting in the drama Our Song.
2001: Role in Save the Last Dance
In 2001, Kerry Washington appeared in the movie Save the Last Dance.
2002: Love Interest in Bad Company
In 2002, Kerry Washington played Chris Rock's love interest in the spy thriller Bad Company, marking a financial turning point in her career.
2003: Role in The Human Stain
In 2003, Kerry Washington appeared in The Human Stain.
2004: Lead Role in She Hate Me
In 2004, Kerry Washington played the female lead in Spike Lee's She Hate Me, receiving strong reviews.
2005: Role in Mr. & Mrs. Smith
After 2004, in 2005, Kerry Washington had a role in Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
2005: Alicia Masters in Fantastic Four
In 2005, Kerry Washington played Alicia Masters in the live-action Fantastic Four film.
2006: The Last King of Scotland
In 2006, Kerry Washington had a role in The Last King of Scotland.
2006: Roles in Little Man and The Last King of Scotland
In 2006, Kerry Washington had roles in Little Man and played the wife of Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland.
2007: Lee National Denim Day support
In 2007, Kerry Washington participated in the Lee National Denim Day, demonstrating her support for the Women's Cancer Programs of the Entertainment Industry Foundation.
2007: Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
In 2007, Kerry Washington reprised her role as Alicia Masters in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
2007: Role in I Think I Love My Wife, Music Video Direction and L'Oréal Spokesperson
In 2007, Kerry Washington starred in I Think I Love My Wife, co-directed a music video for Common's "I Want You", and became a spokesperson for L'Oréal.
2009: Mother and Child Film Role
In 2009, Kerry Washington acted in the film Mother and Child.
2009: Broadway Debut in Race
In 2009, Kerry Washington made her Broadway debut in David Mamet's play Race.
2009: Performance in The People Speak
In 2009, Kerry Washington performed in The People Speak, a documentary featuring dramatic and musical performances of everyday Americans' writings.
2010: For Colored Girls Film Role
In 2010, Kerry Washington appeared in the film For Colored Girls.
2010: Broadway Debut in Race and Role in For Colored Girls
In 2010, Kerry Washington made her Broadway debut in Race and also appeared in the film For Colored Girls.
April 2012: Starring role in Scandal
From April 2012, Kerry Washington starred in the ABC drama series Scandal as Olivia Pope.
September 2012: Democratic National Convention Speech
In September 2012, Kerry Washington delivered a speech at the Democratic National Convention, advocating for the re-election of Barack Obama and emphasizing the importance of addressing voter apathy.
2012: Kerry Washington stars in Scandal
In 2012, Kerry Washington gained wide recognition for starring as Olivia Pope in the ABC drama series Scandal.
2012: Django Unchained Role
In 2012, Kerry Washington played a role in Django Unchained.
May 19, 2013: Commencement Speaker and Honorary Doctorate
On May 19, 2013, Kerry Washington served as the commencement speaker for George Washington University, her alma mater. She was also awarded an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts before her address.
August 2013: Honorary Chairperson of GLSEN Respect Awards
In August 2013, Kerry Washington was appointed as an honorary chairperson of the GLSEN Respect Awards, signaling her ongoing support for LGBT rights.
November 2, 2013: Hosting Saturday Night Live
On November 2, 2013, Kerry Washington hosted Saturday Night Live, impersonating Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey in a sketch.
2013: NAACP Image Award for Scandal
In 2013, Kerry Washington won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for her role in Scandal.
March 2016: Endorsement of Hillary Clinton
In March 2016, Kerry Washington joined fellow ShondaLand colleagues Ellen Pompeo, Viola Davis, and Shonda Rhimes in a commercial to endorse Hillary Clinton for president.
June 2016: Human Rights Campaign Tribute
In June 2016, Kerry Washington participated in a video released by the Human Rights Campaign to honor the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting, sharing the stories of those who lost their lives.
2016: Lead Role in Confirmation and Launch of Simpson Street
In 2016, Kerry Washington played the lead role in Confirmation, an HBO movie about Anita Hill, and launched her production company, Simpson Street.
2016: Emmy Nomination for Confirmation
In 2016, Kerry Washington was Emmy-nominated for her role as Anita Hill in the HBO political film Confirmation.
2017: Voice Role in Cars 3
In 2017, Kerry Washington voiced a role in Cars 3.
2017: Executive Producer and Star in Little Fires Everywhere
In 2020, Kerry Washington served as an executive producer and starred in the Hulu miniseries Little Fires Everywhere, based on Celeste Ng's 2017 novel of the same name.
April 2018: Scandal Ended
By April 2018, Kerry Washington's role in the ABC drama series Scandal concluded.
April 2018: Directorial Debut on Scandal and Appearance on How to Get Away with Murder
In April 2018, Kerry Washington made her directorial debut on Scandal and appeared in two episodes of How to Get Away with Murder as part of a crossover.
2018: Scandal Ended
In 2018, Scandal, the TV show that Kerry Washington starred in, ended after seven seasons.
September 12, 2019: Premiere of American Son at Toronto International Film Festival
On September 12, 2019, the film adaptation of American Son, starring and executive produced by Kerry Washington, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
November 1, 2019: Release of American Son on Netflix
On November 1, 2019, Kerry Washington reprised her role in the film adaptation of American Son, which she also executive produced, for Netflix.
2019: American Son on Broadway and Netflix
In 2019, Kerry Washington returned to the Broadway stage in American Son and reprised her role in the television adaptation on Netflix.
January 30, 2020: Premiere of The Fight at Sundance Film Festival
On January 30, 2020, The Fight, a documentary executive produced by Kerry Washington, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
September 2020: Emmy Win for Live in Front of a Studio Audience
In September 2020, Kerry Washington won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) as a producer of the television special Live in Front of a Studio Audience.
December 2020: Starring Role in The Prom
In December 2020, Kerry Washington starred in The Prom, directed by Ryan Murphy for Netflix, as Mrs. Greene.
2020: Emmy Nomination for Little Fires Everywhere
In 2020, Kerry Washington received an Emmy nomination for playing a troubled mother in the Hulu miniseries Little Fires Everywhere.
2020: Emceeing the Democratic National Convention
In 2020, Kerry Washington served as the emcee for the third night of the Democratic National Convention.
2022: Endorsement of Stacey Abrams
For the 2022 Georgia gubernatorial election, Kerry Washington endorsed Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams.
2022: Recurring Role in The Simpsons and Film Adaptation Role
From 2022, Kerry Washington began a recurring role as Rayshelle Peyton in The Simpsons and played Professor Clarissa Dovey in The School for Good and Evil film adaptation.
2024: Portrayal of Major Charity Adams in The Six Triple Eight
In 2024, Kerry Washington portrayed Major Charity Adams in the war film The Six Triple Eight.
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