As a child, Davis began acting in school productions and theater competitions. She enrolled at Rhode Island College, where she majored in theater and graduated in 1988. She then attended the Young Peoples School for the Performing Arts in Rhode Island on scholarship before attending the Juilliard School.

What was Viola Davis' childhood like?

Davis was raised in Central Falls, Rhode Island, where her father found work as a horse groom at nearby racetracks and her mother took on domestic and factory jobs. Their income was frequently insufficient to support the family, and they endured grim rat-infested apartments and occasional food shortages.

What did Viola Davis do before acting?

After graduating from high school, Davis studied at Rhode Island College, majoring in theater and participating in the National Student Exchange before graduating in 1988. Next, she attended the Juilliard School for four years, and was a member of the school's Drama Division "Group 22" (1989–93).

What was Viola Davis' trauma?

She said she endured rat-infested apartments, sometimes without running water or electricity, hunger, sexual abuse and witnessing her father physically abuse her mother.

What are some fun facts about Viola Davis?

Viola Davis (/vaɪˈoʊl. ə/; born August 11, 1965) is an American actress and producer. Davis is one of the few performers to have been awarded an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony (EGOT). She is the sole African-American to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting as well as the third person to achieve both statuses.

Viola Davis Reveals Details Of Her Tragic Childhood | Life Stories by Goalcast

Does Viola Davis have an adopted child?

Davis and her husband Tennon adopted Genesis back in 2011 when she was only an infant. Davis is also the stepmother to Tennon's two other children. In a previous interview with SheKnows, Davis had an amazing answer when asked about balancing work and motherhood.

How many biological children does Viola Davis have?

Actress Viola Davis is a proud mom to her daughter, Genesis Tennon, whom she shares with her husband, Julius Tennon.

Who bullied Viola Davis?

Davis recalled being brutally bullied by young boys, who would chase her and call her racial slurs.

What did Viola Davis go to school for?

Viola Davis is an American award-winning actress and producer. Davis attended Rhode Island College where she earned her degree in theatre in 1988. After graduating, she continued her studies at The Juilliard School of Performing Arts in New York City.

How old was Viola Davis when she gave birth?

Viola Davis and her husband, Julius Tennon, adopted their daughter, Genesis, when the actress was 46.

Did Viola Davis have a baby?

Viola has a lovely daughter named Genesis Tennon. Some fans have wondered if Genesis is Viola's biological child, but she isn't. Viola Davis and her husband, Julius Tennon, adopted Genesis in October 2011.

What is Viola Davis' famous quote?

The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are. May you live long enough to know why you were born.

Who inspired Viola Davis?

She was inspired by many actresses, especially by the role of Cicely Tyson in The Autobiography of Miss Pittman – (with whom she later shared the screen). Davis attended Rhode Island College in Providence in 1988 on a full scholarship and majored in theatre.

Who was Viola Davis' first husband?

Julius Tennon: The Man Behind Viola Davis

Viola's husband, Julius Tennon, came into her life like an answered prayer. They first met in 1999 on the set of “City of Angels,” and their bond grew from strength to strength. Viola Davis and Julius Tennon got married in 2003 and adopted their daughter, Genesis, in 2011.

Why was Viola Davis a bedwetter?

Her father often beat her mother at night, and Davis started wetting the bed, a habit she didn't break until she was a teenager. The conditions of her home meant that she often couldn't wash up or change into another set of clean clothes. A teacher shamed her about her hygiene but never asked the root cause.

Is Viola Davis African descent?

*Viola Davis was born on this date in 1965. She is a Black actress and producer.

Does Viola Davis have a family?

What city does Viola Davis live in?

An archway of fiddle-leaf fig trees stands at the entrance to the home of Viola Davis and Julius Tennon, whose abode in Los Angeles's Toluca Lake neighborhood has a European-style exterior adorned with lush greenery.

How did Viola Davis find her husband?

Viola Davis found the man of her dreams in Julius Tennon. The couple met in 1999 on the set of City of Angels and immediately connected. For the How to Get Away with Murder actress, Tennon was quite literally an answer to her prayers.

Where did Viola Davis grow up?

Early Life and Education. Davis was born on August 11, 1965, in Saint Matthews, South Carolina. She was raised in Central Falls, Rhode Island, where she grew up in poverty. As a child, Davis began acting in school productions and theater competitions.

Who is Viola Davis' best friend?

Best friend to Davis, Michelle O'Neill, beat breast cancer and lives in Minnesota with her family. Davis credits O'Neill with always being there for her during tough moments.

What movie made Viola Davis famous?

After a decade of bit parts, many of them within the gainful employ of Steven Soderbergh's production company, Viola Davis broke into the mainstream with a movie-stealing turn – and from Meryl Streep! – in 2008's Catholic Church child abuse drama Doubt.

Is Viola Davis older than her husband?

Viola Davis married Julius Tennon, who is 12 years her senior, in 2003 and have been going strong ever since.

Who has Viola Davis been married to?

Happy birthday, Viola! Actress Viola Davis penned a sweet, but powerful note on Wednesday to celebrate her husband of two decades, Julius Tennon. The EGOT winner took to Instagram to share a series of photos of the two throughout the years. “We've seen the loss of family members and held each other up.