Who is viola davis

People migrate toward material when they reach a certain age, especially if they're a certain hue, certain gender. I have had so many wonderful film roles where I wasn't the show. It's like being invited to a really fabulous party, only to hold up the wall. I wanted to be the show. I wanted to be character that took me out of my comfort zone. I spent too much time in my career - probably too much - trying to force writers to write for me in a way that was bold. Well, you know what?

This is it. This is bold. Meryl Streep is the greatest actress because you can see so many different emotions going on in her eyes.

It's a joy as an artist. The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity. And what I mean by that is the choice of how you look, how you do your hair, how you choose to show your body. If the writer says: "What do you think? In , just like people say men have to "man up", we have to "woman up" and live our truths through our work and define ourselves in our terms, not the Mr. Potato Head model of male desirability. I consider myself a hero. I don't have a cape, I don't have a golden lasso.

I had a call to adventure, a call to live life bigger than myself. I found the elixir. The more I'm pushed in a position of leadership and I know I have to be the mouthpiece for so many other people who can't speak for themselves, the more confidence I'm gaining. Colorism and racism in this country are so powerful. As an actress, I have been a great victim of that. There were a lot of things that people did not allow me to be until I got I was not able to be sexualized.

You were an instrument for everyone else's joy except for your own. The '50s in America had the highest rate of alcoholism and depression. There were whole manuals out there that were being passed out about how to make your husband happy - put on make-up when he walks through the door, after a long day of work, don't weigh him down with any of your problems, ask him about his problems, greet him with a smile, make sure the children are fed and they're clean, his favorite meal is on the table, and nowhere in that manual is anything about her joy, and the center of her happiness.

I don't see acting as hiding. I see it as stepping up buck naked in front of a group of people that you don't know. Every single time. It's about exposing. If you're not doing that, you're basically not doing anything. I was always so hungry and ashamed. I couldn't get at the business of being me. I'll play a mysterious, sexualized woman if I can explore why she's mysterious and sexual because that's the only thing that's going to make her human - and that's the only thing I know to do.

I don't know how to smoke around in Alexander McQueen outfits, or diet myself down to a size two. Reese Witherspoon , who I love by the way, can say: "I use my own money for my movies". I don't have Reese Witherspoon money. As much as I'm on the A-list, it still requires a big white male or female star for me to even get a movie deal.

And I'm not saying that with a lack of gratitude for the position I'm in now. I'm not complaining. It's absolutely an honest observation. There are very few black females spearheading the movies.

That's not because we can't, but it's still a fight. When I first started, acting was very therapeutic. As an African American actress, Davis continues to look for more meaningful roles and perhaps start up some projects of her own. It's up to us to look for the material, it's up to us to produce it ourselves, it's up to us to choose the stories. The often edgy mystery drama series was the brainchild of Shonda Rhimes of Grey's Anatomy and Scandal fame.

The emotional Davis cited the experiences of Harriet Tubman and honored the work done by others, including fellow Black actresses, to bring forth a more diverse creative industry. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there. Thank you to the Television Academy. In Davis won a Golden Globe award for reprising her role as Rose Maxson in the film adaptation of Fences , co-starring Washington. In her powerful acceptance speech, Davis spoke about portraying "ordinary people" and their human experience.

And I say exhume those bodies. Exhume those stories — the stories of the people who dreamed big and never saw those dreams to fruition, people who fell in love and lost.

We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! Subscribe to the Biography newsletter to receive stories about the people who shaped our world and the stories that shaped their lives.

American actor Kevin Spacey delivered award-winning performances in the films 'The Usual Suspects' and 'American Beauty' and the Netflix series 'House of Cards,' before being accused of sexual misconduct.

Bette Davis is remembered as one of Hollywood's legendary leading ladies, famous for her larger-than-life persona and for her nearly film appearances. Ruby Dee was an American actress, playwright, screenwriter, activist, poet and journalist, perhaps best known for starring in the film A Raisin in the Sun.

She's also known for her civic work with husband Ossie Davis. Alex Haley was a writer whose works of historical fiction and reportage depicted generations of African American lives. Olivia Rodrigo —. Share this page:. Around The Web Provided by Taboola. Details only on IMDbPro ».

Where to Watch: Oscar Nominated Films. Create a list ». My Favourite Actresses. Favorite actors. My favorite actors. See all related lists ». Do you have a demo reel? Add it to your IMDb page. Find out more at IMDbPro ». How Much Have You Seen? How much of Viola Davis's work have you seen? Won 1 Oscar. See more awards ». Known For. Fences Rose Maxson. The Help Aibileen Clark. Suicide Squad Amanda Waller.

Widows Veronica. Show all Hide all Show by Hide Show Actress 85 credits. Michelle Obama. Show all 10 episodes. Annalise Keating. Show all 90 episodes. Show all 12 episodes. Helen Hanshaw voice. Eden Minerva. Frazier - The Family Portrait Lynda P. Show all 6 episodes. Judith Franklin. Donna Emmett. Show all 7 episodes.

Charlene Barton - Episode 1. Charlene Barton. Ellen Snyder. Agent Jan Marlow. Show all 8 episodes.