Kerry Washington launched her acting career with the 1994 ABC telefilm Magical Make-Over, eventually securing membership in the Phi Beta Kappa Society after graduating from George Washington University in 1998. Since those early appearances, she has built a substantial portfolio spanning television, film, and theater, establishing herself through diverse roles and high-profile industry projects over three decades.
Early Career and Education
Born in The Bronx in 1977, Washington attended the Spence School in Manhattan before enrolling at George Washington University and the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design. She trained at Michael Howard Studios and performed with the TADA! Youth Theater. Her early professional roles included the 1996 educational series Standard Deviants and the 2000 feature film Our Song. By 2002, her work in the spy thriller Bad Company enabled her to qualify for health insurance through the Screen Actors Guild, marking a significant professional milestone.
Film and Television Expansion
Washington appeared in various films during the 2000s, including Save the Last Dance, The Human Stain, and the 2006 historical drama The Last King of Scotland, where she portrayed a spouse of dictator Idi Amin. She also held recurring television roles on Boston Legal and 100 Centre Street. Her filmography includes credits such as She Hate Me, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and the 2012 Quentin Tarantino feature Django Unchained. In 2024, she portrayed Major Charity Adams in The Six Triple Eight.
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From 2012 to 2018, Washington starred as Olivia Pope in the ABC drama Scandal. The role earned her multiple nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. She subsequently portrayed Anita Hill in the 2016 HBO film Confirmation and starred in the 2020 Hulu miniseries Little Fires Everywhere. Her stage career includes a 2009 Broadway debut in David Mamet's Race and a performance in the play American Son, which she later reprised for a 2019 Netflix adaptation.
Awards and Professional Accolades
Throughout her career, Washington has received several industry honors, including the 2014 Lucy Award and the 2015 GLAAD Vanguard Award. She was recognized as the Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year in 2016 and received the Entrepreneur in Entertainment Award in 2024. In 2014, she was included on the Time 100 list of influential individuals, and in 2018, Forbes ranked her as one of the highest-paid television actresses.
Fast facts
- Born: 1977, The Bronx, New York City
- Education: George Washington University, Corcoran School of the Arts & Design
- Debut: Magical Make-Over (1994)
- Broadway debut: Race (2009)
- Scandal role: Olivia Pope (2012–2018)
- Notable honor: Phi Beta Kappa Society member
- Citizenship: United States
Questions readers ask
What was Kerry Washington's feature film debut?
Her feature film debut was in the 2000 drama Our Song.
Did Kerry Washington attend university?
Yes, she graduated from George Washington University in 1998 with a double major in anthropology and sociology.
What specific award did she receive in 2016?
She was named Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year in 2016.
Achievements
- Worked as actor, film actor and television actor
