Kerry Washington

Kerry Marisa Washington was born on January 31, 1977, in The Bronx, New York City. She was raised in a middle-class household, with her mother working as a professor and her father as a real estate broker. Washington attended the prestigious Spence School in Manhattan before earning a degree in sociology and anthropology from George Washington University. She also studied acting at Michael Howard Studios in New York City, laying the foundation for her future career.

Washington began her career with small film roles in the early 2000s, including Our Song (2000), Save the Last Dance (2001), and Bad Company (2002). She gradually built her reputation with notable performances in Ray (2004), in which she played the wife of Ray Charles, The Last King of Scotland (2006), and the Quentin Tarantino film Django Unchained (2012), where she played the enslaved wife of Jamie Foxx’s title character. These roles showcased her dramatic range and established her as a serious actress.

Washington’s career reached stratospheric heights when she was cast as Olivia Pope in Shonda Rhimes’ ABC political thriller Scandal (2012-2018). The role made her the first African American woman to lead a network television drama in nearly four decades. She earned two Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe nomination for the role, and became one of the highest-paid actresses on television, reportedly earning $250,000 per episode. The character of Olivia Pope became a cultural icon and fashion trendsetter.

Beyond Scandal, Washington has built a formidable career as a producer, director, and businesswoman. She founded the production company Simpson Street and has produced and directed several projects. Her endorsement deals with brands like Neutrogena and her involvement with various business ventures have significantly contributed to her estimated $50 million net worth. She is also deeply involved in political activism, having been a prominent supporter and speaker at multiple presidential campaigns. Washington married former NFL player Nnamdi Asomugha in 2013, and the couple has two children together.