Kerry Washington Bio
Kerry Marisa Washington is an American actress who has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including a Primetime Emmy Award and nominations for Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards. She rose to international fame for her role as Olivia Pope in the ABC series Scandal, which made her the first African-American woman to headline a network drama since 1974. Washington has built an impressive career across film, television, and theater while establishing herself as one of the most influential figures in entertainment.
Early Life and Background
Kerry Marisa Washington was born on January 31, 1977, in New York City, New York. She was raised in the Bronx as the daughter of Valerie, a professor and educational consultant, and Earl Washington, a real estate broker. Her family is of African-American origin, having moved from South Carolina to Brooklyn, while her mother’s family hails from Manhattan with a mixed-race background that includes English, Scottish, Native American, and Caribbean ancestry.
Washington attended the Spence School in Manhattan from her pre-teen years until graduating from high school in 1994. During her youth, she performed with the TADA! Youth Theater teen group, which provided her early exposure to performance arts. At age 13, she attended a historic event watching Nelson Mandela speak at Yankee Stadium upon his release from prison, an experience that shaped her awareness of social justice issues.
Washington pursued higher education at George Washington University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1998 with a double major in anthropology and sociology. She also studied acting at Michael Howard Studios in New York City, where she honed her craft before launching her professional career in entertainment.
Path to Actress
Washington began her acting career in 1994 with a screen debut in the ABC telefilm Magical Make-Over. Throughout the late 1990s, she appeared in various projects including the PBS sketch comedy educational series Standard Deviants. Her early feature film work included the short film 3D and the drama Our Song in 2000, which helped establish her presence in independent cinema.
In the early 2000s, Washington took on supporting roles in films such as Save the Last Dance and The Human Stain. Her role in the 2002 spy thriller Bad Company alongside Chris Rock marked a turning point in her career, as it was the first time she earned enough annually to qualify for health insurance through the Screen Actors Guild. This period of her career laid the groundwork for her transition to more prominent roles in major productions.
Washington gained critical attention for her performance in Spike Lee’s 2004 film She Hate Me, which led to roles in significant films including Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The Last King of Scotland, and I Think I Love My Wife. Her work in these diverse projects demonstrated her range as an actress and positioned her for the breakthrough that would come with television work.
Kerry Washington Career
Early Career (1994-2011)
After her television debut, Washington continued building her filmography with roles in various genres. She played Alicia Masters in the live-action Fantastic Four films of 2005 and 2007, which introduced her to a wider mainstream audience. Her film work during this period included Ray, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The Last King of Scotland, Mother and Child, and For Colored Girls, showcasing her ability to tackle complex characters in diverse narratives.
Washington made her Broadway debut in 2009 in David Mamet’s play Race, performing alongside James Spader, David Alan Grier, and Richard Thomas. This stage work demonstrated her versatility beyond screen acting and earned her recognition in theatrical circles. During this period, she also appeared in recurring roles on television series including Boston Legal and 100 Centre Street, further developing her television presence.
Breakthrough (2012-2018)
Washington’s career reached new heights when she was cast as Olivia Pope in the ABC drama series Scandal, which ran from 2012 to 2018. The show, created by Shonda Rhimes, featured Washington as a crisis management expert running her own firm in Washington, D.C. Scandal became a cultural phenomenon and was widely discussed on social media platforms. Washington made history as the first African-American woman to headline a network drama series in nearly four decades.
Her performance as Olivia Pope earned Washington critical acclaim and numerous award nominations. She received nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for the show’s second season, becoming the first African-American woman nominated in that category in 18 years. She also earned Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for her work on the series. In 2013, she won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series and received the NAACP President’s Award.
During her time on Scandal, Washington continued expanding her film work. She appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s acclaimed film Django Unchained in 2012. In 2016, she portrayed Anita Hill in the HBO political film Confirmation, earning another Emmy nomination. Washington also made her directorial debut on Scandal in 2018, directing an episode in the show’s final season.
Notable Works and Milestones
Washington’s portrayal of Olivia Pope became her signature role, earning her multiple Emmy nominations and establishing her as a leading lady in television. Her work in Scandal was recognized with five NAACP Image Awards and a Teen Choice Award. Beyond acting, Washington launched her production company Simpson Street in 2016 with an overall deal with ABC Studios, allowing her to develop and produce content behind the camera.
Kerry Washington Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Kerry Washington has received numerous award nominations recognizing her talent and contributions to entertainment. She has been nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and four Screen Actors Guild Awards, reflecting her peers’ recognition of her work in television. Her Emmy nominations span multiple categories, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Scandal and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for Confirmation. Washington has also received Tony Award nominations for her work on Broadway, further demonstrating her versatility across performance mediums.
Kerry Washington Awards Won
Washington has won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special as a producer of Live in Front of a Studio Audience in 2020. She has received five NAACP Image Awards throughout her career, including wins for her performance in Scandal and special recognition awards. Her trophy collection also includes a Teen Choice Award, highlighting her popularity with audiences across different demographics. These accolades represent Washington’s impact both as a performer and as a producer in the entertainment industry.
| Award | Wins | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Primetime Emmy Award | 1 | 2020 |
| NAACP Image Awards | 5 | 2013 |
| Teen Choice Award | 1 | 2013 |
Kerry Washington Family
Kerry Washington is the daughter of Valerie, a professor and educational consultant, and Earl Washington, a real estate broker. Through her mother, she is a cousin of former United States Secretary of State Colin Powell. Washington has written about her complex family history in her memoir, including learning as an adult that Earl Washington was not her biological father and that she was conceived via sperm donor, information she discovered in 2018.
Personal Life
Washington married former NFL player Nnamdi Asomugha on June 24, 2013, in Hailey, Idaho. The couple has a daughter and a son together. Washington is also a stepmother to Asomugha’s daughter from a previous relationship. Before her marriage, Washington was engaged to actor David Moscow from October 2004 to March 2007. She has been open about personal challenges in her memoir, including struggles with body image and eating disorders during her college years.
