How Many Oscars Does Viola Davis Have?
Renowned actor Viola Davis has over 100 various award wins and is one of the most nominated talents of her generation. How many Oscars does she have?
Viola Davis graduated from Juilliard School
Born in South Carolina but raised in Central Falls, Rhode Island, she developed a love for acting while in high school. Throughout high school, she participated in programs where she received recognition and majored in theater at Rhode Island College.
The actor continued her education at the prestigious performing arts school Juilliard as a member of the drama division, graduating in 1993. Davis began starring in off-Broadway productions in 1992, making her Broadway debut in August Wilson’s Seven Guitars (1996).
Throughout the 90s, she continued appearing in presentations and television shows before her performance in King Hedley II earned her first Tony Award in 2001.
The actor’s name got bigger, landing roles in movies including Antwone Fisher (2002) and recurring characters in shows such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
She went on to win awards for her performances in ‘Fences’ and ‘How to Get Away With Murder’
In 2008, Davis broke through with her unforgettable performance in Doubt, earning her numerous awards, including a Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Two years later, the South Carolina native won another Tony for her portrayal of Rose Maxson in Fences, becoming the second Black woman to win the prestigious honor for a leading role after Phylicia Rashad.
The actor received her second Academy nomination for her performance as a housemaid in The Help (2011), a part she initially felt proud of but has since admitted she regrets accepting the role.
In 2014, Davis began leading the ABC thriller series How to Get Away With Murder as Annalise Keating. The critically acclaimed and revolutionary role earned her three Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress, winning one, the first Black woman to do so in the category, and numerous other awards.
How many Oscars does Viola Davis have?
As the actor starred in the television series, she also appeared in movies Blackhat (2015), Lila & Eve (2015), in which she also served as executive-producer, and Suicide Squad (2016).
Additionally, she reprised her character in the Fences (2016) film adaptation, earning her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The win completed the Triple Crown of Acting, making her the first Black actor to achieve the feat.
Davis is also the first African-American five Screen Actors Guild Awards and the only Black female to take home an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
Her most recent performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom has earned her a fourth Academy nomination, making her the most nominated Black actress and the only Black actress to receive more than one nomination for Best Actress.
Out of her four Academy nods, two Best Actresses (2011 The Help, 2020 Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom), and two Best Supporting Actresses (2008 Doubt and 2016 Fences), Davis has one to her name for her portrayal in Fences.
