Kerry Marisa Washington (born January 31, 1977) is an acclaimed American actress known for her dynamic performances across television, film, and stage. She rose to prominence portraying Olivia Pope, a high-powered crisis management expert, in the hit ABC drama Scandal (2012–2018), earning two Primetime Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe nomination for the role. She has also been recognized for her work in Confirmation (2016) and Little Fires Everywhere (2020), receiving further Emmy nominations.
Washington made her film debut in Our Song (2000) and has appeared in a wide range of films, including Ray (2004), Django Unchained (2012), and The Six Triple Eight (2024), in which she portrayed Major Charity Adams. Her other credits include Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The Last King of Scotland, and the Fantastic Four films.
On stage, she debuted on Broadway in David Mamet’s Race (2009) and returned in American Son, later reprising that role in the 2019 Netflix adaptation. A recipient of a Primetime Emmy Award, Washington has also been recognized by Time as one of the 100 most influential people (2014) and ranked among Forbes‘ highest-paid television actresses in 2018.
