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 for achieving the Triple Crown of Acting and EGOT status. Her influence has been acknowledged by Time magazine, naming her one of the 100 most influential people in the world twice. The New York Times ranked her among the greatest actors of the 21st century. Davis's contributions to the film industry were further celebrated with the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2025.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1992: First professional stage role in As You Like It

In 1992, Viola Davis starred in her first professional stage role, playing Denis in 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 her role in the film The Substance of Fire, where she played a nurse.

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 for her performance.

1998: Small role in The Pentagon Wars

In 1998, Viola Davis appeared in the HBO television military comedy film, The Pentagon Wars.

1999: Small role in Out of Sight

In 1999, Viola Davis played a small role in Steven Soderbergh's crime comedy film Out of Sight.

2001: Voice role in Ocean's Eleven and appearances in other films

In 2001, Viola Davis provided the uncredited voice of the parole board interrogator in Ocean's Eleven. She also appeared in Kate & Leopold and other films.

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2001: Return to Broadway in King Hedley II and First Tony Award

In 2001, Viola Davis returned to Broadway in August Wilson's King Hedley II, portraying Tonya and won her first Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance.

2001: Tony Award for King Hedley II

In 2001, Viola Davis won her first Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her portrayal of Tonya in August Wilson's King Hedley II.

2002: Film Appearances

In 2002, Viola Davis appeared in the drama Antwone Fisher and Todd Haynes' Far From Heaven.

2004: Drama Desk Award for Intimate Apparel

In 2004, Viola Davis won a Drama Desk Award for her work in the off-Broadway production of Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage.

2005: Appeared in Syriana

In 2005, Viola Davis appeared in George Clooney's Syriana, which was produced by Steven Soderbergh.

2005: Recurring role in Jesse Stone films

In 2005, Viola Davis began a recurring role opposite Tom Selleck in a series of films made for television based on novels by Robert B. Parker, 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 series, with appearances in Jesse Stone: Night Passage and Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise.

2008: Role in Doubt and Awards Nominations

In 2008, Viola Davis played Mrs. Miller in the film adaptation of Doubt, receiving critical acclaim and nominations for a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

2008: Oscar Nomination for Doubt

In 2008, Viola Davis received an Oscar nomination for playing a complex mother in the film Doubt.

June 30, 2009: Induction 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, marking a significant recognition of her contributions to the film industry.

June 13, 2010: Tony Award for Fences

On June 13, 2010, Viola Davis won her second Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway revival of Fences, becoming the second African-American to win the Tony for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play.

2010: Small 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 and Eat Pray Love, and played Dr. Minerva in It's Kind of a Funny Story.

2010: 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, gaining praise but later expressing regret over taking on the role due to its portrayal of black characters.

The Help

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2011: Donated to Hometown Library

In 2011, Viola Davis donated funds to her hometown public library in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to prevent its closure.

2011: Oscar Nomination for The Help

In 2011, Viola Davis was Oscar-nominated for her role as a 1960s housemaid in the film The Help.

June 12, 2012: Received the Women in Film's Crystal Award

On June 12, 2012, Viola Davis received the Women in Film's Crystal Award.

February 2014: Casted in How to Get Away with Murder

In February 2014, Viola Davis was cast as the lead character in Peter Nowalk's pilot How to Get Away with Murder, executive produced by Shonda Rhimes.

September 2014: How to Get Away with Murder Series Premiere

In September 2014, How to Get Away with Murder premiered as a series, starring Viola Davis as Annalise Keating.

2014: Emmy Award 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 as Annalise Keating 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, a biopic of James Brown, playing Brown's mother.

2014: Collaborated with the Hunger Is campaign

Since 2014, Viola Davis has collaborated with the Hunger Is campaign to help eradicate childhood hunger across America.

September 2015: Primetime Emmy Award 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 Lila & Eve

In 2015, Viola Davis appeared in the film Blackhat and served as executive producer and star of the crime drama film Lila & Eve.

October 2016: Attended Groundbreaking of Community Health Center

In October 2016, Viola Davis attended the groundbreaking of a free community health center in Central Falls, Rhode Island, as part of her partnership with Vaseline to promote the Vaseline Healing Project.

2016: 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: Academy Award win for Fences

In 2016, Viola Davis reprised her role as Rose Maxson in the film adaptation of Fences, winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also became the first black actress in history to achieve three Academy Award nominations.

2016: Starred in Custody and Suicide Squad

In 2016, Viola Davis starred in the courtroom drama Custody, also serving as executive producer, and played Amanda Waller in the film Suicide Squad.

2016: Academy Award for Fences and Role 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, playing Amanda Waller in Suicide Squad.

September 2017: Started $30K in 30 Days Project with Hunger Is

In September 2017, Viola Davis started the $30K in 30 Days Project with Hunger Is, awarding a $1,000 grant to the Rhode Island Community food bank.

2017: Announced sequel to Corduroy

In 2017, Viola Davis announced that she would write the sequel to the classic picture book Corduroy, titled Corduroy Takes a Bow.

2017: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star and Harvard University Award

In March 2017, Viola Davis received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was awarded the Artist of the Year Award at Harvard University, marking significant milestones in her career.

2018: Published Corduroy Takes a Bow

In 2018, Corduroy Takes a Bow, the sequel to Corduroy written by Viola Davis, was published by Penguin Random House.

2018: Starred in 'Two-Sides', 'How to Get Away with Murder' crossover, and 'Widows'

In 2018, Viola Davis debuted her documentary series 'Two-Sides', exploring police brutality, and starred in a crossover episode of 'How to Get Away with Murder' and 'Scandal'. She also starred in the film 'Widows', receiving critical acclaim and a British Academy Film Award nomination.

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2018: Donated to Central Falls High School Theater Program

In 2018, Viola Davis donated funds to her alma mater, Central Falls High School, for its theater program.

2018: Starred in Widows

In 2018, Viola Davis starred in the crime drama film Widows.

2019: Became L'Oréal Paris ambassador

In 2019, Viola Davis became a L'Oréal Paris ambassador, representing the beauty 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.

2021: Appeared in 'The Suicide Squad', 'The Unforgivable', 'Peacemaker', and 'Black Adam'

In 2021, Viola Davis reprised her role as Amanda Waller in 'The Suicide Squad' and appeared in 'The Unforgivable'. She also appeared in 'Peacemaker' and 'Black Adam' as Amanda Waller.

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April 2022: Premiere of 'The First Lady'

In April 2022, The First Lady, a Showtime drama series executive produced by and starring Viola Davis as Michelle Obama, premiered.

August 2022: Cast in 'The Hunger Games' Prequel

In August 2022, Viola Davis was cast as Dr. Volumnia Gaul in 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes', a prequel to 'The Hunger Games' film series.

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2022: Starred in The Woman King

In 2022, Viola Davis starred in the historical action film The Woman King.

2022: Grammy Award for Finding Me Audiobook

In 2022, Viola Davis won the Grammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording for the audiobook narration of her memoir Finding Me.

February 2023: Won Grammy Award for 'Finding Me'

In February 2023, Viola Davis won the Grammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording for narrating her autobiography 'Finding Me', achieving EGOT status.

Finding Me: A Memoir

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December 2024: Davis reprised role as Amanda Waller in Creature Commandos

In December 2024, Viola Davis reprised her role as Amanda Waller in the animated Max TV series Creature Commandos.

2024: Received Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award and Faith and Spirituality in Entertainment Honor

In 2024, Viola Davis was announced to receive the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award and received the Faith and Spirituality in Entertainment Honor with her husband Julius Tennon in December.