Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Kerry Washington Biography

Birth Name:Kerry Marisa Washington

Birth Place:New York City, New York, United States

Profession Actress, Producer, Director, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Appointed by President Barack Obama to the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities in 2009
Has worked with the Allstate Purple Purse Foundation campaign to stop domestic violence
Has given support to the Entertainment industry Foundation supporting Women's Cancer Programs
Was a supporter of President Barack Obama and campaigned on his behalf
Had to take the Bronx's Number 6 train to Manhattan every morning to the Spence School, which she attended on a scholarship
Received a theater scholarship to George Washington University, and earned a degree in performance studies
Married former NFL cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha in 2013
Quote: "I want longevity in my career, so I keep the focus on my craft․"
Quote: "Her mother started sobbing when she told her in the late '90s that she was pursuing an acting career․ My parents are really happy for me now․"
Quote: "When it comes to fashion and beauty, I think it's important to have fun, be creative and do what feels right for you․․․but I am very inspired by women who cultivate their inner beauty as much as their outer beauty, who are unafraid to be both smart and sexy and who are comfortable in their own unique skin․"

Awards

2001Teen Choice Award-Film - Choice Breakout Performance: winner
2002Black Reel-Theatrical - Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2002Black Reel-Theatrical- Best Independent Actor: nominated
2002Independent Spirit Award-Best Female Lead: nominated
2003Black Reel-Network/Cable - Best Actress: nominated
2005Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2005Black Reel-Best Actress, Drama: nominated
2005Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
2005Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: nominated
2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actress: Drama: nominated
2006Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2007BET Award-Best Actress: nominated
2007Black Reel-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2007Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
2007Razzie Award-Worst Screen Couple: winner
2008OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2011BET Award-Best Actress: nominated
2011Black Reel-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2011Black Reel-Best Actress: winner
2011Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
2012SDFCS Award-Best Ensemble Performance: nominated
2013BET Award-Best Actress: winner
2013Black Reel-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2013Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2013Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Lead Actress: nominated
2013Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
2013Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: winner
2013INOCA TV-Best Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2013MTV Movie Award-Best Kiss: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2013TV Guide Award-Fan Favorite Awards: winner
2013TV Guide Award-Favorite Actress: winner
2013Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actress: Comedy: nominated
2013WIN Award-Outstanding Actress Drama Series: winner
2014Hollywood Award-Best Actress: nominated
2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2014BET Award-Best Actress: nominated
2014Dorian Award-TV Performance of the Year - Actress: nominated
2014Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
2014Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: winner
2014Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2014TV Guide Award-Favorite Actress: nominated
2015BET Award-Best Actress: nominated
2015Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2015OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2015Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Actress: Drama: nominated
2016ACCA TV-Best Actress in a TV Movie or Miniseries: nominated
2016BET Award-Best Actress: nominated
2016Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series: nominated
2016Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Lead Actress: nominated
2016Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2016OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Limited Series: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Television Movie: nominated
2016Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Actress: Drama: nominated
2017Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series: nominated
2017Black Reel-Outstanding Actress, TV Movie or Limited Series: winner
2017Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2017Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
2017Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2017Vision Award-Best Performance - Drama: nominated
2017Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2018Black Reel-Outstanding Actress, Drama Series: nominated
2018Black Reel-Outstanding Directing, Drama Series: nominated
2018Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2018Image Award-Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance: nominated
2019Image Award-Outstanding Guest Performance in a Comedy or Drama Series: winner
2020Black Reel-Outstanding TV Movie/Limited Series: nominated
2020Black Reel-Outstanding Actress, TV Movie/Limited Series: nominated
2020Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
2020PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Streamed or Televised Motion Pictures: nominated
2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie: nominated
2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Limited Series: nominated
2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Television Movie: nominated
2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Special (Live): winner
2020SFF Award-Best Documentary Short Film (Environmental): winner
2021Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series: nominated
2021Gracie-Actress in a Leading Role - Made for TV Movie or Limited Series: winner
2021Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
2022Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Special (Live): nominated
2024Black Reel-Outstanding Lead Performance in a Comedy Series: nominated
2024Black Reel-Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series: winner
2024Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2025Black Reel-Outstanding Lead Performance: nominated
2025Black Reel-Outstanding Lead Performance in a Comedy Series: nominated
2025Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
2025Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2025Vision Award-Best Performance - Comedy: nominated
2026Movies for Grownups Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
2026Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated