Awards
Academy Awards1 nominated
- Nominated1973Best Actress · Sounder
BAFTA Film Awards1 nominated
- Nominated1974Best Actress in a Leading Role · The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman
Golden Globes1 nominated
- Nominated1973Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama · Sounder
Primetime Emmy Awards2 won · 13 nominated
- Nominated2020Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series · How to Get Away with Murder
- Nominated2019Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series · How to Get Away with Murder
- Nominated2018Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series · How to Get Away with Murder
- Nominated2017Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series · How to Get Away with Murder
- Nominated2015Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series · How to Get Away with Murder
- Nominated2014Outstanding Television Movie
- Nominated2014Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
- Nominated2009Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
- Nominated1999Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie · A Lesson Before Dying
- Nominated1995Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series · Sweet Justice
- Won1994Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie · Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All
- Nominated1982Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie · Hallmark Hall of Fame
- Nominated1978Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie · King
- Nominated1977Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series · Roots
- Won1974Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie · The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman
SAG Awards1 won · 3 nominated
- Won2011Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture · The Help
- Nominated1996Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie
- Nominated1995Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie · Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All
- Nominated1995Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series · Sweet Justice
Other awards29 won · 4 nominated
- Won2020Peabody Awards: Peabody Awards
- Won2020Television Hall of Fame: Television Hall of Fame
- Won2019Academy Honorary Award: Academy Honorary Award
- Won2017Critics' Choice Awards: Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series · How to Get Away with Murder
- Won2017NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series · How to Get Away with Murder
- Won2016honorary doctor of the Howard University: honorary doctor of the Howard University
- Won2016NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series · How to Get Away with Murder
- Won2016Presidential Medal of Freedom: Presidential Medal of Freedom
- Won2015Kennedy Center Honors: Kennedy Center Honors
- Won2014honorary doctorate from Columbia University: honorary doctorate from Columbia University
- Won2013Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play · The Trip to Bountiful
- Won2011Black Reel Award for Outstanding Ensemble: Black Reel Award for Outstanding Ensemble · The Help
- Won2011Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast: Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast · The Help
- Won2011National Board of Review Award for Best Cast: National Board of Review Award for Best Cast · The Help
- Won2011Satellite Award for Best Cast – Motion Picture: Satellite Award for Best Cast – Motion Picture · The Help
- Won2010Spingarn Medal: Spingarn Medal
- Won2009honorary doctorate: honorary doctorate
- Nominated2005Black Movie Awards: Black Movie Awards · Diary of a Mad Black Woman
- Nominated2005NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture · Hoodlum
- Nominated1997NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture · Hoodlum
- Won1997star on Hollywood Walk of Fame: star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Won1988Candace Award: Candace Award
- Won1984honorary degree from Spelman College: honorary degree from Spelman College
- Won1982Crystal Award: Crystal Award
- Nominated1982Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in Children's Programming: Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in Children's Programming
- Won1982Women in Film Honors: Women in Film Honors
- Won1980Golden Plate Award: Golden Plate Award
- Won1978Ladies' Home Journal Women of the Year: Ladies' Home Journal Women of the Year
- Won1977Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame: Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame
- Won197426th Primetime Emmy Awards: 26th Primetime Emmy Awards · The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman
- Won1972Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress: Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress · Sounder
- Won1972National Board of Review Award for Best Actress: National Board of Review Award for Best Actress · Sounder
- Won1972National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress: National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress · Sounder
Awards from Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.