Kerry Washington

kerry-washington-everett-450x600.jpg

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington

Photo credit: 
Everett Collection

Kerry Washington

Birthday: January 31
Birthplace: The Bronx, New York City, New York

Kerry Washington is a versatile and fearless actress who continues to shine on both the big screen and small. A native of The Bronx, Washington has received high acclaim for her work on stage, on television and on film.

Kerry Washington is a versatile and fearless actress who continues to shine on both the big screen and small. A native of The Bronx, Washington has received high acclaim for her work on stage, on television and on film.

Washington debuted in 2000 in the highly acclaimed independent film Our Song and later in the film Save The Last Dance, for which she received a Teen Choice Award for Best Breakout Performance. Her performance in the 2002 film LIFT earned her an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Actress. In the years following her debut, Washington starred in several films including Bad Company, The United States Of Leland, The Human Stain, Sin, Against The Rope and She Hate Me.

In 2004, Washington starred alongside Jamie Foxx in the Academy Award nominated hit Ray. Her performance earned her the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture. In the years to follow, Washington was seen in Sexual Life, Mr & Mrs Smith, Fantastic Four And Littleman, The Dead Girl, I Think I Love My Wife, Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Miracle at St. Anna, Life Is Hot In Cracktown, and Mother and Child. Washington received NAACP Image Award nominations for her performances in the 2006 film The Last King Of Scotland and the 2010 film Night Catches Us. Her performance in the 2008 film Lakeview Terrace earned her a Best Actress nomination at the BET Awards.

In 2010, Washington starred in the Tyler Perry’s For Colored Girls alongside Phylicia Rashad, Whoopi Goldberg, Janet Jackson and Thandie Newton. That year Washington also made her Broadway debut in David Mamet’s Race, starring James Spader and David Alan Grier. In 2012, Washington was seen in The Details with Tobey Maguire as well as A Thousand Words alongside Eddie Murphy.

In December 2012, Washington was seen in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained alongside Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christoph Waltz and Samuel Jackson. The film was nominated for a Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Picture. Most recently, Washington starred in the Tyler Perry comedy Peeples with Craig Robinson.

In television, Washington currently stars in the hit ABC drama Scandal. For this role, Washington broke barriers by becoming the first African American woman to a headline a network TV show since the 1974 short-lived series Get Christie Love. In 2013, Washington was awarded an NAACP Image Award for her portrayal of Olivia Pope and the show won for Best Drama. The NAACP also honored Washington with the President’s Award, recognizing special achievement in furthering the cause of civil rights and public service.

An activist, Washington was appointed by President Barack Obama to the President’s Committee of the Arts and Humanities in 2009. She also is an active member of the V-Counsel, an esteemed group of advisors to V-Day, the global movement to end violence against women and girls.

Washington is currently a brand ambassador for Movado.

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Awards & Nominations

9 Nominations | 1 Emmy
Outstanding Variety Special (Live) - 2022
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie - 2020
Outstanding Limited Series - 2020
Outstanding Television Movie - 2020
  • Nominee
  • Kerry Washington, Executive Producer
  • American Son
  • Netflix
  • Simpson Street
Outstanding Variety Special (Live) - 2020
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie - 2016
  • Nominee
  • Kerry Washington, as Anita Hill
  • Confirmation
  • HBO
  • HBO Films, Groundswell Productions and Simpson Street Productions in association with ABC Signature Studios
Outstanding Television Movie - 2016
  • Nominee
  • Kerry Washington, Executive Producer
  • Confirmation
  • HBO
  • HBO Films, Groundswell Productions and Simpson Street Productions in association with ABC Signature Studios
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series - 2014
  • Nominee
  • Kerry Washington, as Olivia Pope
  • Scandal
  • ABC
  • ABC Studios
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series - 2013
  • Nominee
  • Kerry Washington, as Olivia Pope
  • Scandal
  • ABC
  • ABC Studios

The Television Academy database lists prime-time Emmy information. Click here to learn more

Julia Garner, Kerry Washington and Gael Garcia Bernal
Kerry Washington and Gael Garcia Bernal
Kerry Washington presents an award at the 73rd Emmy Awards, September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Kerry Washington arrives at the 73rd Emmy Awards, September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Chris Hardwick presents the award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) to Brent Miller, Norman Lear, Kerry Washington, Justin Theroux, James Burrows and Eric Cook for Live In Front Of A Studio Audience: "All In The Family" And "Good Times" on Night Two
25th Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Kerry Washington presents an award at the 71st Emmy Awards.
Kerry Washington presents an award to Billy Porter at the 71st Emmy Awards.
Kerry Washington and Sterling K. Brown at the 71st Emmy Awards.
Kerry Washington on the red carpet at the 71st Emmy Awards.
Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn present an award at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn present an award at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn present an award at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
Kerry Washington on the red carpet at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
Julie Bowen and Kerry Washington at the 67th Emmy Awards.
Kerry Washington and Seth Meyers backstage at the 67th Emmy Awards.
Kerry Washington, Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson backstage at the 67th Emmy Awards.
Anthony Anderson and Kerry Washington at the 67th Emmy Awards.
Rob Lowe and Kerry Washington at the 67th Emmy Awards.
Kerry Washington on the red carpet at the 67th Emmy Awards.
Kerry Washington at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.
Katie Lowes, Tony Goldwyn and Kerry Washington at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.
Katie Lowes, Tony Goldwyn and Kerry Washington at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.
KaDee Strickland, Kerry Washington, Sandra Oh and Katie Lowes at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.
Kerry Washington, Sandra Oh and Katie Lowes at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.
Kerry Washington of Scandal at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.
Taye Diggs, Kerry Washington, and Television Academy governor Russ Patrick at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.
Tony Goldwyn and Kerry Washington at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.
Jessica Lange (l) of American Horror Story and Kerry Washington (r) of Scandal at the 66th Emmys.
Liev Schreiber (l) and Kerry Washington (r) present an award to Jessica Lange (c) of American Horror Story: Coven at the 66th Emmy Awards.
Jimmy Fallon, Kerry Washington
Kerry Washington of Scandal at the 66th Emmy Awards.
Kerry Washington of Scandal arrives at the 66th Emmy Awards.
Diahann Carroll and Kerry Washington on stage at the 65th Emmys
Kerry Washington and Diahann Carroll backstage at the 65th Emmys
Kerry Washington on stage at the 65th Emmys
Diahann Carroll and Kerry Washington present the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Kerry Washington
Mathis Dunn, Dan Bucatinsky, Clyde Kusatsu, Kerry Washington, Sharon Liggins, David White and Ilyanne Morden Kichaven
Dan Bucatinsky and Kerry Washington
Diahann Carroll and Kerry Washington
Jimmy Kimmel, Kerry Washington and Bruce Rosenblum announce the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations
Kerry Washington and Bruce Rosenblum announce the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations
Kerry Washington announces the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations
Kerry Washington and Jimmy Kimmel announce the Outstanding Variety, Music, Or Comedy Series Nominees
Kerry Washington and Jimmy Kimmel announce the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations
Kerry Washington and Jimmy Kimmel announce the Outstanding Reality Competition Program Nominees
Kerry Washington and Jimmy Kimmel announce the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations
Kerry Washington at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations Announcements
Kerry Washington, Bruce Rosenblum and Jimmy Kimmel announce the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations
Kerry Washington arrives at Welcome to Shondaland
Kerry Washington, Shonda Rhimes and Ellen Pompeo attend Welcome to Shondaland
Kerry Washington arrives at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
Kerry Washington arrives at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
Fill 1
Fill 1
Julia Garner, Kerry Washington and Gael Garcia Bernal
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Julia Garner, Kerry Washington and Gael Garcia Bernal backstage

Invision/AP
Kerry Washington and Gael Garcia Bernal
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Kerry Washington of Live in Front of a Studio Audience: ‘The Facts of Life’ and ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ and Gael Garcia Bernal of Station Eleven presents an award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Invision/AP
Kerry Washington presents an award at the 73rd Emmy Awards, September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
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Kerry Washington presents the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series at the 73rd Emmy Awards

Invision/AP
Kerry Washington arrives at the 73rd Emmy Awards, September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
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Kerry Washington arrives at the 73rd Emmy Awards

Invision/AP
Chris Hardwick presents the award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) to Brent Miller, Norman Lear, Kerry Washington, Justin Theroux, James Burrows and Eric Cook for Live In Front Of A Studio Audience: "All In The Family" And "Good Times" on Night Two
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Chris Hardwick presents the award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) to Brent Miller, Norman Lear, Kerry Washington, Justin Theroux, James Burrows and Eric Cook for Live In Front Of A Studio Audience: "All In The Family" And "Good Times" on Night Two of the Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
25th Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
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Kerry Washington and Robert A. Iger at the 25th Television Academy Hall of Fame induction ceremony, held at the Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, California on January 28, 2020.

Invision/AP
Kerry Washington presents an award at the 71st Emmy Awards.
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Kerry Washington presents an award at the 71st Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Kerry Washington presents an award to Billy Porter at the 71st Emmy Awards.
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Kerry Washington presents an award to Billy Porter at the 71st Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Kerry Washington and Sterling K. Brown at the 71st Emmy Awards.
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Kerry Washington and Sterling K. Brown at the 71st Emmy Awards. 

Invision/AP
Kerry Washington on the red carpet at the 71st Emmy Awards.
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Kerry Washington on the red carpet at the 71st Emmy Awards. 

Invision/ AP
Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn present an award at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
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Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn present an award at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.

Invision/AP
Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn present an award at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
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Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn present an award at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.

Invision/AP
Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn present an award at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
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Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn present an award at the 2016 Primetime Emmys. 

Invision/AP
Kerry Washington on the red carpet at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
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Kerry Washington on the red carpet at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.

Invision/AP
Julie Bowen and Kerry Washington at the 67th Emmy Awards.
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Julie Bowen and Kerry Washington at the 67th Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Kerry Washington and Seth Meyers backstage at the 67th Emmy Awards.
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Kerry Washington and Seth Meyers backstage at the 67th Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Kerry Washington, Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson backstage at the 67th Emmy Awards.
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Kerry Washington, Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson backstage at the 67th Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Anthony Anderson and Kerry Washington at the 67th Emmy Awards.
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Anthony Anderson and Kerry Washington at the 67th Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Rob Lowe and Kerry Washington at the 67th Emmy Awards.
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Rob Lowe and Kerry Washington at the 67th Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Kerry Washington on the red carpet at the 67th Emmy Awards.
Camera

Kerry Washington on the red carpet at the 67th Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Kerry Washington at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.
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Kerry Washington at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.

Invision/AP
Katie Lowes, Tony Goldwyn and Kerry Washington at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.
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Katie Lowes, Tony Goldwyn and Kerry Washington at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.

Invision/AP
Katie Lowes, Tony Goldwyn and Kerry Washington at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.
Camera

Katie Lowes, Tony Goldwyn and Kerry Washington at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.

Invision/AP
KaDee Strickland, Kerry Washington, Sandra Oh and Katie Lowes at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.
Camera

KaDee Strickland, Kerry Washington, Sandra Oh and Katie Lowes at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.

Invision/AP
Kerry Washington, Sandra Oh and Katie Lowes at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.
Camera

Kerry Washington, Sandra Oh and Katie Lowes at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.

Invision/AP
Kerry Washington of Scandal at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.
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Kerry Washington of Scandal at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.

Invision/AP
Taye Diggs, Kerry Washington, and Television Academy governor Russ Patrick at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.
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Taye Diggs, Kerry Washington, and Television Academy governor Russ Patrick at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.

Invision/AP
Tony Goldwyn and Kerry Washington at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.
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Tony Goldwyn and Kerry Washington at An Evening with Shonda Rhimes and Friends.

Invision/AP
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Kerry Washington (Scandal), Viola Davis (How to Get Away with Murder) and Ellen Pompeo (Grey's Anatomy).

Jessica Lange (l) of American Horror Story and Kerry Washington (r) of Scandal at the 66th Emmys.
Camera

Jessica Lange (l) of American Horror Story and Kerry Washington (r) of Scandal at the 66th Emmys. 

Invision/AP
Liev Schreiber (l) and Kerry Washington (r) present an award to Jessica Lange (c) of American Horror Story: Coven at the 66th Emmy Awards.
Camera

Liev Schreiber (l) and Kerry Washington (r) present an award to Jessica Lange (c) of American Horror Story: Coven at the 66th Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Jimmy Fallon, Kerry Washington
Camera

Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Kerry Washington of Scandal backstage at the 66th Emmys.

Invision/AP
Kerry Washington of Scandal at the 66th Emmy Awards.
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Kerry Washington of Scandal at the 66th Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Kerry Washington of Scandal arrives at the 66th Emmy Awards.
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Kerry Washington of Scandal arrives at the 66th Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Diahann Carroll and Kerry Washington on stage at the 65th Emmys
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Invision/AP
Kerry Washington and Diahann Carroll backstage at the 65th Emmys
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Invision/AP
Kerry Washington on stage at the 65th Emmys
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Invision/AP
Diahann Carroll and Kerry Washington present the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
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Invision/AP
Kerry Washington
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Invision/AP
Mathis Dunn, Dan Bucatinsky, Clyde Kusatsu, Kerry Washington, Sharon Liggins, David White and Ilyanne Morden Kichaven
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Invision/AP
Dan Bucatinsky and Kerry Washington
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Invision/AP
Diahann Carroll and Kerry Washington
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Carroll: Katy Winn/Invision/AP, Washington: Dario Cantatore/Invision/AP
Jimmy Kimmel, Kerry Washington and Bruce Rosenblum announce the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations
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Kerry Washington and Bruce Rosenblum announce the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations
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Kerry Washington announces the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations
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Kerry Washington and Jimmy Kimmel announce the Outstanding Variety, Music, Or Comedy Series Nominees
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Kerry Washington and Jimmy Kimmel announce the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations
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Kerry Washington and Jimmy Kimmel announce the Outstanding Reality Competition Program Nominees
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Kerry Washington and Jimmy Kimmel announce the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations
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Kerry Washington at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations Announcements
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Kerry Washington, Bruce Rosenblum and Jimmy Kimmel announce the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations
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Kerry Washington arrives at Welcome to Shondaland
Kerry Washington, Shonda Rhimes and Ellen Pompeo attend Welcome to Shondaland
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Kerry Washington arrives at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
Kerry Washington arrives at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
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