Kerry Washington

Kerry Marisa Washington (born January 31, 1977) is an American actress who has received several awards and nominations, including a Primetime Emmy Award, two Golden Globe Award nominations, and a Tony Award nomination. She was listed in Time's 100 most influential people in 2014 and ranked eighth among the highest-paid television actresses by Forbes in 2018.

Washington became widely known for her role as Olivia Pope, a crisis management expert, in the ABC drama series *Scandal* (2012–2018). For this role, she received two Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and one Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress – Television Series Drama. She was also nominated for an Emmy for her portrayal of Anita Hill in the HBO film *Confirmation* (2016) and for her performance as a troubled mother in the Hulu miniseries *Little Fires Everywhere* (2020).

Washington made her film debut in the drama *Our Song* (2000). She portrayed Alicia Masters in the live-action *Fantastic Four* films (2005 and 2007) and appeared in a range of films, including *Ray* (2004), *Mr. & Mrs. Smith* (2005), *The Last King of Scotland* (2006), *I Think I Love My Wife* (2007), *Mother and Child* (2009), *For Colored Girls* (2010), and *Django Unchained* (2012). In 2024, she played Major Charity Adams in the war film *The Six Triple Eight*.

On stage, Washington made her Broadway debut in David Mamet's *Race* (2009). She later starred in Christopher Demos-Brown's *American Son* on Broadway and reprised the role in the 2019 Netflix television adaptation.