-
Period: to
Viola Davis Timeline
-
Birthday
Viola was born on this day . -
Childhood Trauma begins
Viola had to witness her father beating her mother. She speaks about this in various interviews and mentions how she wished in her childhood that she could be taken away from all the pain and trauma. She would beg god to get her out but she kept being stuck in the same situation for years to come. Not only did she experience abuse but she also experienced bullying, hunger, and great feelings of shame and humiliation at the hands of her circumstance. -
Rhode Island college
Viola receives an undergraduate degree in theater. she also receives a "making a difference award" as an alumna. -
Viola graduates Julliard
Viola receives a diploma after attending The Julliard school for performing arts. She auditioned when she was only 23 and she wowed the professors with her raw talent. She lived quite far from the school and was also performing in other plays at the time so the drive to and from Julliard for the three day auditions was very daunting. However since Viola was a knockout, the judges accommodated her request for a shorter audition. She was outstanding and they knew it. -
First Broadway Play Seven Guitars
Viola plays in her first Broadway play directed by Lloyd Richards and performed in the Walter Kerr Theater. The playwright is August Wilson and Some of the actors starring in the play are Keith David, Tommy Hollis, Rosalyn Coleman, and Roger Robinson. -
Everybodys Ruby
Everybody's Rubby was one of the first plays that Viola acted in. She was wonderful in the play and even won an Obie Award for her part the same year that the play came out. The play is about the murder of a rich white doctor in the 1950's and a black married woman who is accused for the crime. -
Viola Davis meets her husband
Viola Davis met her husband on the set of the hit show, City of Angels. They had just shot a scene together and ended up behind the set eating, and chatting. Although it took some time for them to go on their first date, it certainly didn't take these two very long to fall for each other. Viola actually prayed 3 weeks prior to meeting her husband, so that she could find the perfect man for her. Fortunately fate was on her side. -
Obie Award
Viola Davis receives Obie award for acting as Ruby in the play Everybody's Ruby. She did a wonderful job at portraying Ruby in the play and she was able to capture the raw emotions of the character. The play itself is based on true events. -
King Hedley II
Viola stars in the play King Hedley II as Tonya. The show follows the same characters as the previous play, Seven Guitars. Its about A man who is recently released from prison who gets caught up in his own delusion and is fruitless in through his trials and tribulations. -
1st Tony Award
Viola Davis receives her first Tony Award for being a featured actress in the play King Hedley II. She thanks Director Marion McClinton, and playwright August Wilson for their support in her role. She also thanks her parents for supporting her journey.