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Alfre Woodard Biography

Birth Name:Alfre Ette Woodard

Birth Place:Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States

Profession Actress, Producer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • Was nominated for the 1999 Acapulco Black Film Festival Award for best actress
  • Won a Character and Morality in Entertainment Award for her role in "Radio․"
  • Founded Artists for a New South Africa and served as a board member
  • Received a 1997 CableACE Award for best actress in a movie or miniseries for her work in "Miss Evers' Boys․"
  • Serves on the boards of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the National Film Preservation Foundation
  • Graduated from Boston University before pursuing a career in show business
  • Married writer Roderick Spencer in 1983 and has two children, Duncan and Mavis
  • Made her theatre debut in 1974 at Washington, DC's Arena Stage in the plays "Horatio" and "Saved․"
  • Quote: "I'm a mom and a wife․ That's what I do in the world․ That's my identity․ Second, I'm an actor․"
  • Known for her high profile guest spots in television series, including "Hill Street Blues," "L․A․ Law" and "Desperate Housewives․"
  • Received her first award nomination in 1983 for her role in the film "Cross Creek․"
  • Was invited to go on a cultural trip to Iran in 2009 by the House of Cinema forum along with a select group of film industry veterans

Awards

  • 1984Oscar-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1984Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 1984Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: winner
  • 1985Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Special: nominated
  • 1986Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1987Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series: winner
  • 1987Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
  • 1988Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1989ACE-Actress in a Movie or Miniseries: winner
  • 1989Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie: winner
  • 1990Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie: winner
  • 1990Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
  • 1992Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie: winner
  • 1992LAFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 1992NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 1993Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Female: winner
  • 1993Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1993Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1994Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 1994Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1994Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1994NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 1995Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
  • 1996Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries: winner
  • 1996Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast: nominated
  • 1996Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series: winner
  • 1996Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1996Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
  • 1997CableACE-Actress in a Movie or Miniseries: winner
  • 1997CableACE-Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 1997Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1997OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 1997OFTA Film Award-Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Actress: nominated
  • 1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special: winner
  • 1997Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 1998Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries: winner
  • 1998Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
  • 1998Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Television Movie or Mini-Series: winner
  • 1998OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1998Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
  • 1999Black Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 1999Independent Spirit Award-Best Female Lead: nominated
  • 1999Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2000Black Reel-Network/Cable - Best Actress: nominated
  • 2001Black Reel-Theatrical - Best Actress: nominated
  • 2001Black Reel-Network/Cable - Best Actress: nominated
  • 2001Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in a Children's Special: nominated
  • 2001Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2001Image Award-Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children's Series/Special: nominated
  • 2001Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
  • 2001Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2001OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2002Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2003OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2004Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2005Camie-: winner
  • 2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2006BET Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2006Black Movie Award-Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2006Gold Derby TV Award-Ensemble of the Year: nominated
  • 2006OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2007Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2007Black Reel-Network/Cable - Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2008Black Reel-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2009Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2009Movies for Grownups Award-Best Buddy Picture: winner
  • 2009Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2009Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2010Black Reel-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2010Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2011Gracie-Outstanding Supporting Actress - Drama Series: winner
  • 2011Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2011Vision Award-Best Performance - Drama: nominated
  • 2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2012Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2013Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2013BFCC Award-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2013Black Reel-Network/Cable - Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2013Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries: nominated
  • 2013Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2013Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: winner
  • 2013OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2013PFCS Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2013WIN Award-Outstanding Actress Made for Television Movie / Mini-Series: nominated
  • 2014Award of Excellence Special Mention-Documentary Feature: winner
  • 2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2014Fright Meter Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2014Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2014Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2014Seattle Film Critics Award-Best Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2015Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2015Vision Award-Best Performance - Drama: nominated
  • 2019Black Reel-Outstanding Actress, Drama Series: nominated
  • 2019Black Reel-Outstanding Actress, TV Movie/Limited Series: nominated
  • 2019Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2019IFJA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019SFBAFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
  • 2019Golden Space Needle Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2020Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2020Black Reel-Outstanding Actress, Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2020Dorian Award-Film Performance of the Year - Actress: nominated
  • 2020Independent Spirit Award-Best Female Lead: nominated
  • 2020Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble of the Decade: nominated
  • 2020Image Award-Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television or Motion Picture): nominated
  • 2020Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2021BAFTA Film Award-Best Leading Actress: nominated
  • 2022Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2023Canadian Screen Award-Best Guest Performance, Drama Series: winner
  • 2023Canadian Screen Award-Best Dramatic Series: winner
  • 2023Independent Spirit Award-Best New Scripted Series: nominated