Kerry Washington

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Kerry Washington
Kerry Washington 4 Met Opera 2010 Shankbone.jpg
Washington at the Metropolitan Opera's 2010 opening night of Das Rheingold
Born (1977-01-31) January 31, 1977 (age 36)
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Alma mater George Washington University
Occupation Actress
Years active 1994–present

Kerry Washington (born January 31, 1977)[1] is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Ray Charles's wife, Della Bea Robinson, in the film Ray (2004), as Idi Amin's wife Kay in The Last King of Scotland, and as Alicia Masters, love interest of Ben Grimm/The Thing in the live-action Fantastic Four films of 2005 and 2007. She has also starred in the critically acclaimed independent films Our Song and The Dead Girl, and is the lead actress in the 2012 ABC drama Scandal, a Shonda Rhimes series in which Washington plays Olivia Pope, a former crisis management expert to the President.[2] Her most recent role was as Broomhilda von Schaft, Django's wife, in Quentin Tarantino's film Django Unchained.

Washington's other films include Save the Last Dance (2001), Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), Little Man (2006), and Tyler Perry's For Colored Girls (2010).

Contents

Early life [edit]

Washington was born in the The Bronx, New York City, the daughter of Valerie, a professor and educational consultant, and Earl Washington, a real estate broker.[3][4][5] Her father's family is African-American, from South Carolina and Brooklyn, and her mother's family is from Jamaica and Manhattan; Washington has said that her mother is from a "mixed-race background but from Jamaica, so she is partly English and Scottish and native American, but also descended from African slaves in the Caribbean".[6][7][8] Washington performed with the Tada theater teen group and attended the Spence School in Manhattan, graduating in 1994.[9] She attended The George Washington University, graduating in 1998 Phi Beta Kappa with a double major in anthropology and sociology. She is one of the most famous graduates of the Department of Theatre and Dance.[9][10] She also studied at Michael Howard Studios in New York City.[9]

Career [edit]

Film and television work [edit]

Washington made her screen debut in the ABC telefilm Magical Make-Over (1994).[9] She was in the cast of the 1996 PBS sketch comedy-style educational series Standard Deviants,[9] and she appeared in the short "3D" and the feature film Our Song in 2000.[9] She went on to appear in several movies, including Save the Last Dance (2001), The Human Stain (2003), Spike Lee's She Hate Me (2004), Ray (2004), Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), Little Man (2006), I Think I Love My Wife (2007), and as a wife of 1970s Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the UK historical drama The Last King of Scotland (2006).[9] Washington has also appeared in the recurring role of Chelina Hall on the ABC television series Boston Legal,[9] and in several episodes of the A&E cable-TV series 100 Centre Street.[9] She is the new spokesperson for L'Oréal, appearing in commercials and ads alongside fellow actresses, Scarlett Johansson and Eva Longoria, Gong Li, Michelle Yeoh, Dian Sastrowardoyo, Aishwarya Rai, Maya Karin and model Doutzen Kroes.[11]

She also co-directed and appeared in the music video for hip-hop artist Common's song, "I Want You", the fourth single from his album Finding Forever.[12] Washington narrated the critically acclaimed documentary about the New Orleans-based teenage TBC Brass Band, From the Mouthpiece on Back. She also appears in Maxwell's "Bad Habits" video. In 2009 Washington performed in The People Speak, a documentary feature film that uses dramatic and musical performances of the letters, diaries, and speeches of everyday Americans, based on historian Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States.[13] In 2010, she made her Broadway debut in David Mamet's Race, alongside James Spader, David Alan Grier, and Richard Thomas. She also appeared in Tyler Perry's 2010 film For Colored Girls.[9] In October 2011, it was confirmed that she would star in Quentin Tarantino's film Django Unchained, which was released in 2012 and received universal critical acclaim.[14][15]

Scandal [edit]

In 2012, Washington was cast in the lead role of Shonda Rimes ABC political series Scandal as Olivia Pope, a crisis manager who runs her own firm called Pope & Associates. Washington became the first African-American female lead in a network drama in almost 40 years. The first was Teresa Graves as an undercover cop in Get Christie Love!, which had its debut in 1974. The series is based on Judy Smith, a former member of President George Bush's administration.[16] Since the show's debut, it has grown a large fan-base and has been called the most talked show on Twitter every Thursday nights.[17] The show has overall received positive reviews from critics.[18][19]

Washington has received generally positive reviews from critics for her portrayal as Olivia Pope. Tanzina Vega of The New York Times states the shows success is due to the casting of Kerry Washington. The author states:[16]

"Her casting has prompted discussion among academics and fans of the show about whether Scandal represents a new era of post-racial television, in which cast members are ethnically diverse but are not defined by their race or ethnicity."

Olivia Pope's fashion has also attracted viewers, audiences have been said to be interested in what she wear, Costume designer Lyn Paolo said on Entertainment Weekly, "It's a combination of Kerry Washington being so amazing, so stunning, and this idea of having [her character] wear such soft, feminine colors in a man's world," says Paolo. "That really resonates with women."[20] In 2013, Vanity fair included her on The Top Ten best-dresses TV characters.[21] Scandal also won TV Guide's Magazine Fan Favorite Awards. Washington was named "Favorite Actress" and the show was named "Favorite Drama" of the year.[22] Her role won her Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series at the 44th NAACP Image Awards and she was presented with the NAACP President's Award.[23]

Personal life [edit]

Washington at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival

Washington was engaged to actor David Moscow from October 2004 to March 2007.[24]

As a sort of souvenir or memento, she usually tries to keep something from every character that she plays, such as an item of wardrobe or a piece of furniture from the house the character lived in.[25]

In 2013, Washington ranked No. 2 on People magazine's 100 Most Beautiful people.[26]

On May 19, 2013, Kerry served as the commencement speaker for her Alma Mater, the George Washington University. Before giving her commencement address she was presented with an honoris causa, a doctorate of fine arts.

Other projects [edit]

Activism [edit]

In 2007, Washington and other celebrities joined for the 2007 Lee National Denim Day, supporting the Women’s Cancer Programs of the Entertainment Industry Foundation.[27] She is a member of V-Day, a global movement that brings awareness to violence against women and girls.[28]

Politics [edit]

She is at times referred to as a political activist and was a supporter of Barack Obama's presidential candidacy.[29] Washington has also spent time volunteering through the Adopt-a-Classroom program in New York as well as with Co-Op America,[30] now known as Green America. Washington also spoke at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.[31][32]

Filmography [edit]

Film [edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2000 Our Song Lanisha Brown
3D Angie Short film
2001 Save the Last Dance Chenille
Lift Niecy
2002 Take the A Train Keisha Short film
Bad Company Julie
2003 United States of Leland, TheThe United States of Leland Ayesha
Human Stain, TheThe Human Stain Ellie
Sin Kassie
2004 Against the Ropes Renee
She Hate Me Fatima Goodrich
Ray Della Bea Robinson
2005 Sexual Life Rosalie
Mr. & Mrs. Smith Jasmine
Fantastic Four Alicia Masters
Wait Maggie Short film
2006 Little Man Vanessa
Last King of Scotland, TheThe Last King of Scotland Kay Amin
Dead Girl, TheThe Dead Girl Rosetta
2007 I Think I Love My Wife Nikki Tru
Put It in a Book Sheila Short film
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer Alicia Masters
2008 Woman in Burka Kerry Short film
Miracle at St. Anna Zana Wilder
Lakeview Terrace Lisa Mattson
2009 Life Is Hot in Cracktown Marybeth
Mother and Child Lucy
2010 Night Catches Us Patricia Wilson
For Colored Girls Kelly / Blue
2011 Details, TheThe Details Rebecca Mazzoni
2012 Thousand Words, AA Thousand Words Caroline McCall
Django Unchained Broomhilda von Schaft
2013 Tyler Perry Presents Peeples Grace Peeples

Television [edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1994 ABC Afterschool Special Heather Episode: "Magical Make-Over"
1996 Standard Deviants Kerry TV series
2001 NYPD Blue Maya Young Episode: "Franco, My Dear, I Don't Give a Damn"
Deadline Tina Johnson Episode: "The Undesirables"
Law & Order Allie Lawrence Episode: "3 Dawg Night"
100 Centre Street Recurring role (5 episodes)
2002 Guardian, TheThe Guardian Drea Westbrook Episode: "The Next Life"
2004 Wonderfalls Mahandra McGinty Episode: "Unaired Pilot"
Strip Search TV film
2005–2006 Boston Legal Chelina Hall Recurring role (5 episodes)
2008 Psych Mira Gaffney Episode: "There's Something About Mira"
2010 Black Panther Princess Shuri / Baker Woman (voice) TV miniseries
2012–present Scandal Olivia Pope Main role (29 episodes)

Awards and nominations [edit]

Washington at Hollywood Life Magazine’s 2007 Breakthrough Awards.
Award Award category Year Title of work Result
Teen Choice Awards Best Actress [33] 2001 Save the Last Dance Nominated
BET Awards Best Actress 2007 The Last King of Scotland Nominated
Black Reel Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress 2011 For Colored Girls Nominated
Outstanding Actress Night Catches Us Won
Outstanding Ensemble Night Catches Us Nominated
Outstanding Ensemble For Colored Girls Won
Outstanding Ensemble 2009 Miracle at St. Anna Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress 2007 The Last King of Scotland Nominated
Outstanding Actress, Drama 2005 Ray Nominated
Outstanding Actress, Network/Cable 2003 Lift Nominated
Outstanding Independent Actor 2002 Lift Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress Theatrical Save the Last Dance Nominated
Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture 2011 Night Catches Us Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture 2007 The Last King of Scotland Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series 2006 Boston Legal Nominated
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture 2005 Ray Won
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series 2013 Scandal Won
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Django Unchained Won
Independent Spirit Awards Best Female Lead 2002 Lift Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical 2005 Ray Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture Ray Nominated

References [edit]

  1. ^ "Today's Highlights in History: January 31". New York Times. January 31, 2009. Retrieved August 6, 2009. 
  2. ^ Bricker, Tierney (May 13, 2011). "ABC picks up 'Charlie's Angels,' 'Good Christian Belles' and ten more". Retrieved October 1, 2012. 
  3. ^ Stein, Ruthe (2010-05-09). "Washington's 'Mother' instinct". The San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2010-09-21. 
  4. ^ Kerry Washington Biography (1977) Film Reference
  5. ^ Collins, Lauren (October 24, 2004). "Kerry Washington: Politics and Shabu Shabu". New York Times. Retrieved November 16, 2012. 
  6. ^ "SO Who Knew? Washington Connects The Dots". October 14, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2012. 
  7. ^ Powell, Kevin (May 9 2013). "Kerry Washington: Woman on Top". Ebony. Retrieved May 17 2013. 
  8. ^ Curtis, Nick (January 16 2013). "Kerry Washington on making Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained". Evening Standard. Retrieved May 17 2013. 
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "About Kerry Washington". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved 1 October 2012. 
  10. ^ "INSIDE Black Girls Rock! Red Carpet Arrivals & What You Can Expect From The Show". October 15, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2012. 
  11. ^ "Kerry Washington". Retrieved 1 October 2012. 
  12. ^ "Kerry Washington Bio". BuddyTV. Retrieved 1 October 2012. 
  13. ^ "the people speak". October 1, 2012. 
  14. ^ "Django Unchained". Metacritic. Retrieved May 15 2013. 
  15. ^ "Kerry Washington finally joins django unchained as djangos wife". October 26, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2012. 
  16. ^ a b Vega, Tanzina (January 16 2013). "A Show Makes Friends and History". New York Times. Retrieved May 2 2013. 
  17. ^ Hilton, Shani O (February 28 2013). "Why Twitter Loves “Scandal”". buzzfeed. Retrieved May 2 2013. 
  18. ^ "Scandal – Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved May 2 2012. 
  19. ^ Gay, Verne (April 3, 2012). "Shonda Rhimes' 'Scandal' premieres on ABC". Newsday. Retrieved May 2 2013. 
  20. ^ Naoreen, Nuzhat (April 4 2013). "'Scandal'-ous Fashion Secrets!". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 2 2013. 
  21. ^ Miller, Julie (March 21 2013). "The Top 10 Best-Dressed TV Characters". Vanity Fair. Retrieved May 2 2013. 
  22. ^ "'Scandal' Cast Adorably And Excitedly Accepts TV Guide Magazine Fan Favorite Awards (VIDEO)". Huffingtonpost. 4/17/2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013. 
  23. ^ Clark, Cindy (January 18, 2013). "Kerry Washington to receive NAACP President's Award". USA Today. Retrieved January 24, 2013. 
  24. ^ Washington indicated she was dating again during her appearance on the March 16, 2007 episode of The View.
  25. ^ We Love Kerry Washington Crave Online.
  26. ^ "Kerry Washington, Kelly Rowland Land In PEOPLE 'Most Beautiful Woman' Issue". Huffingtonpost. April 24 2013. Retrieved May 18 2013. 
  27. ^ "Reel Sistas Join the Fight Against Breast Cancer". 5 September 2007. Retrieved 24 January 2013. 
  28. ^ "Kerry Washington". vday.org. Retrieved January 24, 2013. 
  29. ^ "Kerry Washington voices support for Senator Obama in Georgia". Organizing for America. January 26, 2008. 
  30. ^ "In Step With: Kerry Washington". Parade Magazine. July 7, 2004. 
  31. ^ "Kerry Washington DNC Speech: Read The Democratic National Convention Remarks". Huffingtonpost. September 6, 2012. Retrieved October 12012. 
  32. ^ "Kerry Washington Speech • 2012 Democratic National Convention (complete speech)". youtube. September 6, 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2012. [dead link]
  33. ^ "It's Evening in America". Vanity Fair. May 2012. Page 153.

External links [edit]

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