---
name: "Viola Davis"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/viola-davis"
fi1m_id: "viola-davis"
imdb_id: "nm0205626"
tmdb_id: 19492
wikidata_id: "Q229181"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "11 August 1965"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 18
average_fi1m_score: 69
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 17
updated: "2026-10-23T04:07:47.785742+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Viola Davis

## Identity

Viola Davis

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/viola-davis
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** viola-davis
- **IMDb ID:** nm0205626
- **TMDB ID:** 19492
- **Wikidata ID:** Q229181
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viola_Davis, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229181, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0205626/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/19492

Actor. Born 11 August 1965 in St. Matthews, South Carolina, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 11 August 1965, St. Matthews, South Carolina, USA
- **Active:** 1998–present
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 18: 17 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Scott Rudin](https://film.one/person/scott-rudin.md), [Denzel Washington](https://film.one/person/denzel-washington.md), [Terrence Howard](https://film.one/person/terrence-howard.md), [Todd Black](https://film.one/person/todd-black.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won · 3 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 69, as actor, over 17 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 86 (1), 2000s 77 (5), 2010s 64 (6), 2020s 61 (6)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 69 to 67 across 17 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 9 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 5 of 15 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 13, Action 4, Crime 4, Thriller 4, Adventure 2, Comedy 2
- **Screen time:** 35 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,846m across 16 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viola_Davis, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229181, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0205626/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/19492

## Coming up

- *Children of Blood and Bone* (2027-01-13), as Mama Agba

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Air*](https://film.one/film/air.md) (70), [*Kung Fu Panda 4*](https://film.one/film/kung-fu-panda-4.md) (54), [*Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close*](https://film.one/film/extremely-loud-and-incredibly-close.md) (41)
- **Disney+:** [*The Woman King*](https://film.one/film/the-woman-king.md) (72)
- **Netflix:** [*Ma Rainey's Black Bottom*](https://film.one/film/ma-raineys-black-bottom.md) (69)
- **Tubi:** [*The Help*](https://film.one/film/the-help.md) (66)
- **HBO Max:** [*Suicide Squad*](https://film.one/film/suicide-squad.md) (41)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Viola Davis

> Viola Davis can make the person listening more interesting than the person talking. We value her patience and scepticism most; her broader villains are enjoyable, but they are not where we would start.

In *Air* (2023), Viola Davis sits opposite Matt Damon and lets him talk. As Deloris Jordan, she appears to believe about half of what she hears, and we can follow the calculation without a speech explaining it. We took particular pleasure in her patience: she lets the salesman finish without giving him the satisfaction of seeming persuaded. Ben Affleck's film too readily accepts the corporation's account of itself, but Davis gives its conversations a useful note of doubt.

Her Moselle already made a small part count in Steven Soderbergh's *Out of Sight* (1998). The ensemble has plenty of actors worth watching, and Davis needs little time to register. Soderbergh gives her a sterner task in *Solaris* (2002): Gordon wants the problem solved by whatever means are available, and Davis does not soften once. Her firmness is useful in a film where so many of the other performances are hesitant and troubled.

*Doubt* (2008) brought the breakthrough, with Davis playing Mrs Miller opposite Meryl Streep. The larger dramatic parts followed, including Rose Maxson in *Fences* (2016), adapted from August Wilson's play and directed by her co-star Denzel Washington. By *The Woman King* (2022), she was carrying a historical action drama in the physically demanding role of Nanisca. Those changes in scale matter, but the early films already show an actor who does not need the largest part to make an impression.

The franchise work gives her more licence to be amused by other people's discomfort. In *The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes* (2023), Dr Gaul is a scientist cheerfully finished with any concern for other people. Davis makes that cheerfulness unpleasant, which is exactly what the part needs. As the voice of the Chameleon in *Kung Fu Panda 4* (2024), she speaks low and slowly while the animators ripple and reshape her scales. The threat and the joke work together, but the surrounding film lacks the feeling that might make its fights matter.

We would not recommend a film merely because she is in it. We would start with *Air* for the pleasure of watching her listen, then *Solaris* for a performance that makes no concessions to being liked. The animated sorceress can wait.

## Biography

Viola Davis is an American actress and producer. She was born on 11 August 1965 in St Matthews, South Carolina, and trained at the Juilliard School.

Davis began her career in theatre, making her Broadway debut in the August Wilson play *Seven Guitars* (1996). She won Tony Awards for her performances in Wilson plays *King Hedley II* (2001) and *Fences* (2010). Her film roles include *Out of Sight* (1998), *Solaris* (2002), *Doubt* (2008), *The Help* (2011), *Fences* (2016), *Air* (2023) and *The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes* (2023). She voiced The Chameleon in *Kung Fu Panda 4* (2024).

On television, Davis starred as Annalise Keating in *How to Get Away with Murder* (2014–2020). She is one of few performers to achieve the EGOT.

*Sources: imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (18)

### Performed in (17) — the average rests on these

- *Kung Fu Panda 4* (2024), Fi1m 54, as The Chameleon (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/kung-fu-panda-4.md)
- *Air* (2023), Fi1m 70, as Deloris Jordan — [page](https://film.one/film/air.md)
- *The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes* (2023), Fi1m 61, as Dr. Volumnia Gaul — [page](https://film.one/film/the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes.md)
- *The Woman King* (2022), Fi1m 72, as Nanisca — [page](https://film.one/film/the-woman-king.md)
- *Ma Rainey's Black Bottom* (2020), Fi1m 69, as Ma Rainey — [page](https://film.one/film/ma-raineys-black-bottom.md)
- *Widows* (2018), Fi1m 83, as Veronica Rawlings — [page](https://film.one/film/widows.md)
- *Fences* (2016), Fi1m 70, as Rose Maxson — [page](https://film.one/film/fences.md)
- *Suicide Squad* (2016), Fi1m 41, as Amanda Waller — [page](https://film.one/film/suicide-squad.md)
- *Prisoners* (2013), Fi1m 81, as Nancy Birch — [page](https://film.one/film/prisoners.md)
- *Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close* (2011), Fi1m 41, as Abby Black — [page](https://film.one/film/extremely-loud-and-incredibly-close.md)
- *The Help* (2011), Fi1m 66, as Aibileen Clark — [page](https://film.one/film/the-help.md)
- *Doubt* (2008), Fi1m 71, as Mrs. Miller — [page](https://film.one/film/doubt.md)
- *Syriana* (2005), Fi1m 72, as CIA Chairwoman — [page](https://film.one/film/syriana.md)
- *Far from Heaven* (2002), Fi1m 87, as Sybil — [page](https://film.one/film/far-from-heaven.md)
- *Solaris* (2002), Fi1m 74, as Gordon — [page](https://film.one/film/solaris.md)
- *Traffic* (2000), Fi1m 82, as Social Worker — [page](https://film.one/film/traffic.md)
- *Out of Sight* (1998), Fi1m 86, as Moselle — [page](https://film.one/film/out-of-sight.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Black Adam* (2022), Fi1m 42, as Amanda Waller (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/black-adam.md)

## Complete filmography (112)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Children of Blood and Bone* (2027), as Mama Agba
- *The Color of Cola* (2026), Executive Producer
- *W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With a Cause* (2026), as Narrator (voice)
- *ASALI: Power of the Pollinators* (2025), Executive Producer
- *G20* (2025), as President Danielle Sutton · Producer
- *Number One on the Call Sheet* (2025), series, Executive Producer
- *The Ebony Canal: A Story of Black Infant Mortality* (2025), as Narration
- *Creature Commandos* (2024), series, as Amanda Waller (voice)
- *Kung Fu Panda 4* (2024), as The Chameleon (voice) — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/kung-fu-panda-4.md)
- *The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes* (2023), as Dr. Volumnia Gaul — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes.md)
- *Silver Dollar Road* (2023), Executive Producer
- *Air* (2023), as Deloris Jordan — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/air.md)
- *Black Adam* (2022), as Amanda Waller (uncredited) — Fi1m 42, [page](https://film.one/film/black-adam.md)
- *The Woman King* (2022), as Nanisca · Producer — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/the-woman-king.md)
- *The First Lady* (2022), series, as Michelle Obama · Executive Producer
- *Peacemaker* (2022), series, as Amanda Waller (uncredited)
- *The Unforgivable* (2021), as Liz Ingram
- *The Suicide Squad* (2021), as Amanda Waller
- *Ma Rainey's Black Bottom* (2020), as Ma Rainey — Fi1m 69, [page](https://film.one/film/ma-raineys-black-bottom.md)
- *Live in Front of a Studio Audience: "All in the Family" and "Good Times"* (2019), as Florida Evans
- *Emanuel* (2019), Executive Producer
- *A Touch of Sugar* (2019), as Narrator
- *Troop Zero* (2019), as Miss Rayleen · Producer
- *Widows* (2018), as Veronica Rawlings — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/widows.md)
- *The Last Defense* (2018), series, Executive Producer
- *Night Shift* (2017), Executive Producer
- *Fences* (2016), as Rose Maxson — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/fences.md)
- *Suicide Squad* (2016), as Amanda Waller — Fi1m 41, [page](https://film.one/film/suicide-squad.md)
- *Custody* (2016), as Martha Schulman
- *Lila & Eve* (2015), as Lila Walcott
- *Blackhat* (2015), as Carol Barrett
- *The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him* (2014), as Professor Lillian Friedman
- *The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her* (2014), as Professor Lillian Friedman
- *How to Get Away with Murder* (2014), series, as Annalise Keating · Producer
- *Get On Up* (2014), as Susie Brown
- *The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them* (2014), as Professor Lillian Friedman
- *Ender's Game* (2013), as Major Gwen Anderson
- *Prisoners* (2013), as Nancy Birch — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/prisoners.md)
- *Beautiful Creatures* (2013), as Amma Treadeau
- *Sofia the First* (2013), series, as Helen Hanshaw (voice)
- *Won't Back Down* (2012), as Nona Alberts
- *Scandal* (2012), series, as Annalise Keating
- *Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close* (2011), as Abby Black — Fi1m 41, [page](https://film.one/film/extremely-loud-and-incredibly-close.md)
- *The Help* (2011), as Aibileen Clark — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/the-help.md)
- *It's Kind of a Funny Story* (2010), as Eden Minerva
- *Trust* (2010), as Gail Friedman
- *Eat Pray Love* (2010), as Delia Shiraz
- *Knight and Day* (2010), as CIA Director Isabel George
- *Beyond All Boundaries* (2009), as Hortense Johnson
- *Law Abiding Citizen* (2009), as Mayor April Henry
- *State of Play* (2009), as Dr. Judith Franklin
- *Madea Goes to Jail* (2009), as Ellen
- *United States of Tara* (2009), series, Actor
- *Doubt* (2008), as Mrs. Miller — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/doubt.md)
- *Nights in Rodanthe* (2008), as Jean
- *The Andromeda Strain* (2008), series, as Dr. Charlene Barton
- *Jesse Stone: Sea Change* (2007), as Molly Crane
- *Traveler* (2007), series, as Agent Jan Marlow
- *Disturbia* (2007), as Detective Parker
- *The Architect* (2006), as Tonya Neely
- *Brothers and Sisters* (2006), series, as Ellen Snyder
- *Life Is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story* (2006), as Diane Barrino
- *World Trade Center* (2006), as Mother in Hospital
- *The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays* (2006), as Tonya (segment "King Hedley II")
- *Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise* (2006), as Molly Crane
- *Jesse Stone: Night Passage* (2006), as Officer Molly Crane
- *Syriana* (2005), as CIA Chairwoman — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/syriana.md)
- *Get Rich or Die Tryin'* (2005), as Grandma
- *Threshold* (2005), series, Actor
- *Stone Cold* (2005), as Molly Crane
- *Century City* (2004), series, as Hannah Crane
- *Antwone Fisher* (2002), as Eva May
- *Solaris* (2002), as Gordon — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/solaris.md)
- *Far from Heaven* (2002), as Sybil — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/far-from-heaven.md)
- *Hack* (2002), series, as Stevie Morgan
- *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Audrey Williams
- *Kate & Leopold* (2001), as Policewoman
- *Ocean's Eleven* (2001), as Parole Board Interrogator (voice) (uncredited) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/oceans-eleven.md)
- *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* (2001), series, as Terry Randolph
- *The Guardian* (2001), series, as Suzanna Clemons' Attorney
- *The Shrink Is In* (2001), as Robin
- *Amy & Isabelle* (2001), as Dottie
- *The Division* (2001), series, as Dr. Georgia Davis
- *Traffic* (2000), as Social Worker — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/traffic.md)
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Attorney Campbell
- *City of Angels* (2000), series, as Lynnette Peeler
- *Third Watch* (1999), series, as Margo Rodriguez
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Donna Emmett
- *Judging Amy* (1999), series, as Celeste
- *Providence* (1999), series, as Dr. Eleanor Weiss
- *Grace & Glorie* (1998), as Rosemary Allbright
- *Out of Sight* (1998), as Moselle — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/out-of-sight.md)
- *The Pentagon Wars* (1998), as Sgt. Fanning
- *Miss Apprehension and Squirt* (1998), as Sharon Hughes
- *The Practice* (1997), series, as Aisha Crenshaw
- *The Substance of Fire* (1996), as Nurse
- *NYPD Blue* (1993), series, as Woman — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/nypd-blue.md)
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Narrator (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Rosemary Allbright
- *Operation Othello*, as Narrator · Executive Producer
- *Mfinda*, Executive Producer
- *The Personal History of Rachel DuPree*, as Rachel Dupree
- *Ally Clark*, as Ally Clark · Producer
- *House of Games*, as Producer
- *Black Boys Don't Sew*, Executive Producer
- *Small Great Things*, Actor
- *Ascent*, series, as Catriona Vail
- *The Untamed: A Sinner's Prayer*, Producer
- *A Menina Que Voa*, Production Accountant
- *I Almost Forgot About You*, as Dr. Georgia Young
- *Rise of the Empress*, series, Executive Producer
- *Two Butterflies*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Viola Davis](https://film.one/media/person/9746/gallery-325ff12666aa.jpg) Viola Davis — Image via TMDB
- ![Viola Davis](https://film.one/media/person/9746/gallery-966939f9fb41.jpg) Viola Davis — Image via TMDB
- ![Viola Davis](https://film.one/media/person/9746/gallery-8503c03fa01e.jpg) Viola Davis — Image via TMDB
- ![Viola Davis](https://film.one/media/person/9746/gallery-6d5618c5d049.jpg) Viola Davis — Image via TMDB
- ![Viola Davis](https://film.one/media/person/9746/gallery-2667e86ce164.jpg) Viola Davis — Image via TMDB
- ![Viola Davis](https://film.one/media/person/9746/gallery-d99ef7e7b4a8.jpg) Viola Davis — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 1 won, 3 nominated

- 2021: Best Actress (nominated), for *Ma Rainey's Black Bottom*
- 2017: Best Supporting Actress (won), for *Fences*
- 2012: Best Actress (nominated), for *The Help*
- 2009: Best Supporting Actress (nominated), for *Doubt*

### BAFTA Film Awards — 1 won

- 2017: Best Actress in a Supporting Role (won), for *Fences*

### Golden Globes — 1 won, 1 nominated

- 2025: Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award (won)
- 2023: Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama (nominated), for *The Woman King*

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 2015: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (won), for *How to Get Away with Murder*

### Other awards — 8 won, 2 nominated

- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture 2023: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture (won), for *The Woman King*
- Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year 2021: Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year (won)
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture 2021: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture (won), for *Ma Rainey's Black Bottom*
- Time 100 2017: Time 100 (won)
- People's Choice Award for Favorite Actress in a New TV Series 2015: People's Choice Award for Favorite Actress in a New TV Series (nominated), for *How to Get Away with Murder*
- Crystal Award 2012: Crystal Award (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 2010: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (won)
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play 2001: Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (won), for *King Hedley II*
- Theatre World Award 1996: Theatre World Award (won)
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play 1996: Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (nominated)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/viola-davis