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Viola Davis net worth
Viola Davis has an estimated net worth of $25 million. The acclaimed American actress and producer has built her fortune through a distinguished career in film, television, and theatre. Her wealth is a result of significant acting salaries, production ventures, and endorsement deals.
Viola Davis is an American actress and producer recognized as one of the most celebrated performers of her generation. She is one of the few artists to have achieved both the EGOT (winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award) and the Triple Crown of Acting.
Time magazine has named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and The New York Times ranked her among the greatest actors of the 21st century.
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| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | $25 Million |
| Profession | Actress, Producer |
| Born | August 11, 1965 |
| Birthplace | St. Matthews, South Carolina, USA |
| Spouse | Julius Tennon (m. 2003) |
| Children | 1 (Genesis Tennon) |
| Key Awards | Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, 2 Tony Awards (EGOT) |
| Education | The Juilliard School, Rhode Island College |
Who is Viola Davis?
Viola Davis was born on August 11, 1965, in St. Matthews, South Carolina, on her grandmother’s farm. She was the second youngest of six children born to Mary Alice and Dan Davis. Her family moved to Central Falls, Rhode Island, shortly after her birth, where she grew up in poverty.
Davis found her passion for acting in high school and later attended Rhode Island College, majoring in theatre. Her talent earned her a scholarship to the prestigious Juilliard School, where she graduated in 1993. This formal training provided the foundation for her powerful and versatile performances on stage and screen.
Her early life experiences have profoundly influenced her work and her advocacy. Davis often speaks about overcoming adversity and uses her platform to highlight issues of poverty, race, and representation in the entertainment industry. She co-founded JuVee Productions with her husband to create more opportunities for diverse voices.
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Career journey and major achievements
Davis began her career in theatre, winning an Obie Award in 1999 for her performance in Everybody’s Ruby. Her Broadway debut in Seven Guitars (1996) earned her critical acclaim. She won her first Tony Award in 2001 for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role in August Wilson’s King Hedley II.
Her film career gained significant momentum with a brief but powerful role in the 2008 film Doubt. Her performance, which lasted only a few minutes, earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
This recognition opened doors to more substantial roles, including her part as a maid in the 2011 drama The Help, which brought her a second Oscar nomination.
The peak of her television career came with the lead role of Annalise Keating in the ABC drama series How to Get Away with Murder (2014–2020). For this role, she became the first Black woman to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2015.
The show was a commercial success and a major source of her income for six seasons.
In 2017, Davis won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film adaptation of August Wilson’s play Fences, a role for which she had previously won her second Tony Award in 2010.
She completed her EGOT in 2023 by winning a Grammy Award for the audiobook recording of her memoir, Finding Me.
How Viola Davis built her net worth
Viola Davis’s $25 million net worth comes from multiple income streams accumulated over a three-decade career. Her primary earnings are from her work as an actress in film and television, supplemented by theatre roles, production credits, and lucrative endorsement deals.
For her leading role in How to Get Away with Murder, reports indicate she earned approximately $250,000 per episode. With the series running for 90 episodes, her total earnings from the show alone were substantial. In 2020, Forbes listed her as the tenth highest-paid television actress in the world, with estimated earnings of $15 million for that year.
Her film salaries have also increased with her critical and commercial success. For major films like The Woman King, where she also was a producer, her compensation package would have included an upfront salary and a share of the profits.
Her production company, JuVee Productions, has several film and television projects in development, creating another avenue for revenue.
Beyond acting, Davis has secured high-profile endorsement deals. She has been a brand ambassador for L’Oréal Paris, appearing in global advertising campaigns. These partnerships contribute significantly to her overall net worth, leveraging her status as a respected and influential figure.
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Personal life and family
Viola Davis is married to actor and producer Julius Tennon. The couple met on the set of the television series City of Angels and married in June 2003. They are frequent collaborators, co-founding their production company, JuVee Productions, in 2011.
In 2011, Davis and Tennon adopted their daughter, Genesis Tennon. Davis is also a stepmother to Tennon’s two children from previous relationships. The family resides in Los Angeles, California. Davis is known for being a dedicated mother and often shares insights into her family life.
Through JuVee Productions, Davis and Tennon aim to produce content that features inclusive and diverse narratives. The company has been behind projects such as The First Lady, in which Davis portrayed Michelle Obama, and the critically acclaimed film The Woman King. Their joint work reflects a shared commitment to changing the landscape of Hollywood.
Fast facts and FAQs
How much does Viola Davis make a year?
Viola Davis’s annual income varies depending on her projects. In 2020, Forbes reported her earnings at $15. 5 million for the year. Her income is a combination of film and television salaries, production fees, and endorsements.
How many children do Viola Davis and her husband have?
Viola Davis and her husband, Julius Tennon, have one daughter together, Genesis Tennon, whom they adopted in 2011. Davis is also a stepmother to Tennon’s two adult children from his previous relationships.
Who is Viola Davis’ best friend?
Viola Davis’s best friend is Michelle O’Neill, a fellow actress. They met and became roommates while studying at The Juilliard School in New York City and have remained close for over 30 years.
What is an EGOT?
An EGOT is the designation given to a person who has won all four of the major American entertainment awards: an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. Viola Davis is one of a small group of artists who have achieved this distinction.
Source: THESTANDARD.africa