Viola Davis is known for being an award-winning actress of stage, television, and film. Born on August 11, 1965 in St. Matthews, South Carolina, Davis grew up in abject poverty, which fueled her desire to escape her circumstances through acting. After graduating from Rhode Island College with a degree in theater, she honed her craft at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City. Davis made her Broadway debut in 1996 with the play Seven Guitars and earned her first Tony nomination. Her breakthrough came in 2001 when she won her first Tony Award for King Hedley II. However, it was her performance in the 2010 revival of Fences that catapulted her into the limelight, earning her a Tony Award, and later an Academy Award for the film adaptation. With a career spanning over two decades, Davis has proved herself as one of the most versatile actresses of her generation. In 2015, she became the first African American woman to win an Emmy for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her role in How to Get Away with Murder. She has also been recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, winning a Golden Globe for her work in Fences. Davis's passion for storytelling extends beyond acting; she co-founded JuVee Productions, a company dedicated to giving voice to the voiceless.