X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

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.

Shonda Rhimes Biography

Birth Name:Shonda Rhimes

Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, United States

Profession Producer, Writer, Actress

Fast Facts

  • In 2007, she was nominated by the Writers Guild of America, West, for the WGA Award for TV
  • In 2006, she won the WGA Award for TV from the Writers Guild of America, West
  • Named one of "Time" magazine's 100 people who help shape the world in May 2007
  • Rhimes was nominated for a Black Reel Award for Best Screenplay, Adapted or Original for "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement," in 2005
  • Rhimes graduated with a master of fine arts from the University of Southern California's School of Cinema-Television
  • Received her bachelor's degree from the private Ivy League research university Dartmouth College, in 1991
  • Before selling her first script, she worked as a film-development assistant for a few years
  • Quote: "I don't understand why people don't understand that the world of TV should look like the world outside of TV․"
  • In 1998, she made her debut as a director with the short film "Blossoms and Veils," starring Jada Pinkett-Smith and Jeffrey Wright

Awards

  • 2000OFTA Television Award-Best Writing of a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2003Razzie Award-Worst Screenplay: nominated
  • 2005Black Reel-Best Screenplay, Original or Adapted: nominated
  • 2006Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Episode of the Year: nominated
  • 2006PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama: nominated
  • 2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: nominated
  • 2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2006WGA Award (TV)-Dramatic Series: nominated
  • 2006WGA Award (TV)-New Series: winner
  • 2007Image Award-Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series: winner
  • 2007PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama: winner
  • 2007Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: nominated
  • 2007WGA Award (TV)-Dramatic Series: nominated
  • 2008Image Award-Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2008Image Award-Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2008PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama: nominated
  • 2009Image Award-Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series: winner
  • 2010Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Episode of the Decade: nominated
  • 2010Image Award-Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series: winner
  • 2011Banff Rockie Award-Best Continuing Series: nominated
  • 2011Image Award-Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series: winner
  • 2013Image Award-Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series: nominated
  • 2013Image Award-Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series: nominated
  • 2013TV Guide Award-Fan Favorite Awards: winner
  • 2013WIN Award-Outstanding Film/Show Written by a Woman: winner
  • 2021PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama: nominated
  • 2021Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: nominated
  • 2022Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series: nominated
  • 2023PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Limited or Anthology Series Television: nominated
  • 2024Black Reel-Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2024Black Reel-Outstanding Drama Series: nominated
  • 2024Image Award-Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2024WGA Award (TV)-Episodic Drama: nominated