Coming from poverty into an impressive net worth of $25 million, Viola Davis has become one of Hollywood's most sought-after actresses for three decades, (although she only gained momentum a little over a decade ago), taking on transformative roles,and having a triple crown of acting.
Davis immersed herself as criminal defense professor Annalise Keating in ABC's How To Get Away With Murder, and then played legendary "mother of the blues" in Netflix's biopic Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. She also branched into the DC Extended universe appearing in Suicide Squad, its 2021 sequel and upcoming Black Adam. No doubt, it has been an absolute delight to watch Viola Davis breathe life and soul into her many roles.
Following her recent portrayal as Warrior General in The Woman King, it is clear that Davis is one of the most versatile actresses of our time. So here's a look at Viola's most iconic roles.
10 Viola Davis Won Her First Oscar For Her Role In Fences
Davis won her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for this role. The 2016 film adaptation of August Wilson's Broadway play follows a working class African-American father Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington), who tries to raise his family in 1950s Pittsburgh, but cannot reconcile himself with the disappointing realities of his career and life, taking his frustrations out on his wife and son.
Davis reprised her Broadway role playing Troy's wife Rose Maxson, an emotionally agonizing wife and mother whose world comes crashing down and has to come to terms with her husband's infidelity, while living through racism.
9 Viola Davis Was A Powerhouse Playing Michelle Obama In The First Lady
Taking on a beloved real-life character can be a challenge, but Davis took on a bold role and shone amid the criticism. The recently premiered anthology drama television series portrays the life stories of three charismatic First Ladies of the United States; Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford, and Michelle Obama.
Davis portrays Michelle Obama, and her life as the first lady. She also served as executive producer on the show. Unfortunately, it was canceled after one season.
8 Viola Davis Was A Maid In The Help
This 2011 period comedy drama is based on Kathryn Stockett's novel of the same name and created for film by Tate Taylor. With its strong depiction of racism, it details events during the 1960s civil rights movement in Mississippi from the lenses of newly-graduated southern girl and aspiring writer Skeeter Phelan (Emma Stone) who decides to interview Black women and write a book that reflects the daily hardships of Black maids worrking for their white bosses.
Viola Davis plays Aibileen Clark, a reserved maid who has lived through racial ostracization all her working and personal life, while being a grieving mother. She stars alongside Octavia Spencer. Even though the actress had regrets about playing her role, she earned a Best Actress Oscar and a Golden Globe nomination.
7 Viola Davis Was Leader Of The Thieving Widows Crew In Widows
Directed by Steve McQueen and based on the 1983 British series having the same name, this thriller film follows four completely different women, who in the course of wanting to pay their dead husbands' debt from a botched bank robbery, decide to steal $5 million from a prominent local politician's home.
In her BAFTA nominated role, Davis plays Veronica Rawlings, a teacher's union delegate who turns to a life of crime after her husband dies, becoming headstrong leader of the widowed crew.
6 Viola Davis Was A Troubled Black Mother In Doubt
Although her role wasn't huge, appearing towards the end of the movie, she received high praises for her first Oscar nominated role. Directed by John Patrick Stanley, Doubt follows a Catholic school principal (Meryl Streep), who questions a priest's relationship with a young Black student, and goes on a crusade to uncover the truth.
Davis portrays Mrs. Miller, the mother of the only Black student at the Catholic school, and her small appearance holds no emotions back when showing her anxious and frightful concern for her son.
5 Viola Davis Played Worrisome Mother Of A Kidnaped Daughter In Prisoners
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Prisoners follows the abduction of two young girls and the efforts of the girl's parents to bring them back home alive.
In a limited role, Davis plays Nancy Birch, the mother of one of the missing girls in this 2013 thriller film, depicting a defenseless, vulnerable and fearful mother on the edge about the whereabouts of her child.
4 Viola Davis Was Mother Of Funk Singer James Brown In Get On Up
This autobiographical musical drama takes on the life of popular singer James Brown. Directed by Tate Taylor, it showcases events of the singer's life, and his turbulent upbringing, leading up to his funky fame.
Late Chadwick Boseman played electric character James Brown in this biopic, with Davis portraying Susie Brown, his abused and mentally and emotionally unstable mother who struggles with raising a child, eventually abandoning him.
3 Viola Davis Portrayed Tough Criminal Defense Attorney In How To Get Away With Murder
This thrilling ABC legal series was created by Peter Nowalk and produced by Shonda Rhimes. It follows a criminal defense lawyer and law professor who teaches her students real-life criminal defense scenarios in the classroom. Her brightest students' lives change when they find themselves involved in a twisted murder plot, and have to apply their classroom knowledge to real life. It ran for six seasons, concluding in May 2020.
Davis led this series from start to finish, delivering a captivating, and charismatic portrayal of Annalise Keating with a very traumatic life. This critically acclaimed role earned her several accolades, and made her the first Black woman to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
2 Viola Davis Was Eccentric Blues Singer In Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
The actress got to work with Chadwick once again in the Netflix adaptation of August Wilson's play Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.
Davis put her acting latitude on display portraying bold, eccentric and larger-than-life titular character, blues singer known as the "Mother of Blues" in this musical period drama. Her flawless and transformative role earned her high praises and her fourth Oscar nomination, becoming the most-nominated Black actress.
1 Viola Davis Led The All-Women African Warriors In The Woman King
Viola Davis gave a commanding presence in the recent historical epic film The Woman King, inspired by true events that took place within The Kingdom of Dahomey. It is set in the 1820s, and it tells the story of an all-female military unit, led by a general, tasked with protecting the people of Dahomey and their king (John Boyega) against attacks by their enemies.
In this Viola Davis-led film directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, she portrays Nanisca, the general of the all-female military unit who trains the Agojie warriors. She shows different emotional layers of bravado, ruthlessness, fealty, and dedication to protecting her kingdom. Having premiered in September 2022, it is thriving exponentially at the box office.
