Career Timeline of Viola Davis: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Viola Davis, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Viola Davis is a highly acclaimed American actress and film producer, recognized as one of the most influential people globally by Time Magazine in both 2012 and 2017. The New York Times lauded her as one of the greatest actors of the 21st century. Her achievements are highlighted by achieving the Triple Crown of Acting and EGOT, and receiving the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2025.
1988: Graduated from Rhode Island College
In 1988, Viola Davis graduated from Rhode Island College, majoring in theater.
1989: Attended Juilliard School
In 1989, Viola Davis began attending the Juilliard School of Performing Arts in New York City.
1992: First professional stage role
In 1992, Viola Davis starred in her first professional stage role, an off Broadway production of William Shakespeare's comedy As You Like It at the Delacorte Theatre.
1996: Broadway debut and Screen Actors Guild card
In 1996, Viola Davis made her Broadway debut in August Wilson's Seven Guitars and received her Screen Actors Guild card for a role in the film The Substance of Fire.
1996: Broadway Debut in Seven Guitars
In 1996, Viola Davis made her Broadway debut in August Wilson's play Seven Guitars, earning her first Tony nomination.
1998: Small Role in Out of Sight
In 1998, Viola Davis played a small role in Steven Soderbergh's crime comedy film Out of Sight.
1999: Out of Sight Release
Viola Davis had a small role in Out of Sight when it was released in 1999.
2001: Voice in Ocean's Eleven and Roles in Other Films
In 2001, Viola Davis provided the uncredited voice in Ocean's Eleven and had brief performances in Kate & Leopold.
2001: Tony Award for King Hedley II
In 2001, Viola Davis returned to Broadway in August Wilson's King Hedley II, earning critical acclaim and her first Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play.
2002: Roles in Antwone Fisher and Far From Heaven
In 2002, Viola Davis played secondary roles in the drama Antwone Fisher and the costume drama Far From Heaven.
2004: Drama Desk Award for Intimate Apparel
In 2004, Viola Davis won a Drama Desk Award for her work in an off-Broadway production of Intimate Apparel.
2005: Appeared in Syriana
In 2005, Viola Davis appeared in George Clooney's film Syriana.
2005: Recurring Role in Jesse Stone Films
In 2005, Viola Davis began a recurring role in a series of television films based on Robert B. Parker's novels, starting with Jesse Stone: Stone Cold.
2006: Recurring Role in Jesse Stone Films
In 2006, Viola Davis continued her recurring role in the Jesse Stone films, including Jesse Stone: Night Passage and Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise.
2008: Played Mrs. Miller in Doubt
In 2008, Viola Davis played Mrs. Miller in the film adaptation of Doubt, receiving critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination.
2008: Oscar Nomination for Doubt
In 2008, Viola Davis received an Oscar nomination for playing a complex mother in Doubt.
June 30, 2009: Inducted into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
On June 30, 2009, Viola Davis was inducted into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, recognizing her contributions to the film industry.
June 13, 2010: Won Second Tony Award for Fences
On June 13, 2010, Viola Davis won her second Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway revival of Fences, receiving widespread critical acclaim.
2010: Roles in Knight and Day, Eat Pray Love, and It's Kind of a Funny Story
In 2010, Viola Davis had small roles in the films Knight and Day, Eat Pray Love, and played Dr. Minerva in It's Kind of a Funny Story.
2010: Won Tony Award for Fences
In 2010, Viola Davis won her second Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her role as Rose Maxson in August Wilson's Fences.
August 2011: Starred in The Help
In August 2011, Viola Davis starred as Aibileen Clark in the film adaptation of The Help, receiving critical acclaim and award nominations.
2011: Oscar Nomination for The Help
In 2011, Viola Davis was nominated for an Oscar for her role as a 1960s housemaid in The Help.
June 12, 2012: Received Women in Film's Crystal Award
On June 12, 2012, Viola Davis received the Women in Film's Crystal Award, honoring her contributions to the industry.
February 2014: Cast in How to Get Away with Murder
In February 2014, Viola Davis was cast as the lead in How to Get Away with Murder, marking a significant role in her television career.
September 2014: How to Get Away with Murder Series Premiere
In September 2014, How to Get Away with Murder premiered as a series, with Viola Davis in the lead role.
2014: Won Primetime Emmy for How to Get Away with Murder
In 2014, Viola Davis became the first black actress to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in How to Get Away with Murder.
2014: Reunited with Tate Taylor in Get on Up
In 2014, Viola Davis reunited with The Help director Tate Taylor in Get on Up, playing James Brown's mother.
September 2015: Won Primetime Emmy for How to Get Away with Murder
In September 2015, Viola Davis became the first African-American to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in How to Get Away with Murder.
2015: Appeared in Blackhat and Produced Lila & Eve
In 2015, Viola Davis appeared in the film Blackhat and served as executive producer for the film Lila & Eve, also starring in it.
2016: Second Emmy Nomination for How to Get Away with Murder
In 2016, Viola Davis received a second Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her role in How to Get Away with Murder.
2016: Won Academy Award for Fences
In 2016, Viola Davis reprised her role in the film adaptation of Fences, winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and other accolades.
2016: Starred in Custody and Suicide Squad
In 2016, Viola Davis starred in the courtroom drama Custody (also as executive producer) and played Amanda Waller in Suicide Squad.
2016: Won Oscar for Fences and Acted in Suicide Squad
In 2016, Viola Davis won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film adaptation of Fences. She also joined the DCEU as Amanda Waller in Suicide Squad.
March 2017: Awarded Artist of the Year Award at Harvard University
In March 2017, Viola Davis was awarded the Artist of the Year Award at Harvard University, acknowledging her impact on the arts.
2017: Announced Corduroy Sequel
In 2017, Viola Davis announced that she would write a sequel to the children's book Corduroy, titled Corduroy Takes a Bow.
2018: Corduroy Takes a Bow Published
In 2018, Corduroy Takes a Bow, written by Viola Davis, was published by Penguin Random House.
2018: Starred in Widows
In 2018, Viola Davis starred in the crime drama Widows.
2019: Became L'Oréal Paris Ambassador
In 2019, Viola Davis became a L'Oréal Paris ambassador, representing the brand.
2020: Oscar Nomination for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
In 2020, Viola Davis received an Oscar nomination for her performance as Ma Rainey in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.
2022: Starred in The Woman King
In 2022, Viola Davis starred in the historical action film The Woman King.
2022: Won Grammy Award for Finding Me Audiobook
In 2022, Viola Davis won the Grammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording for her memoir Finding Me.
