See Viola Davis’ Best Roles

1 minute read
Viola Davis
Columbia Pictures
By Kenneth Bachor

Viola Davis made Oscars history this season when she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Rose Maxson in Fences. She not only became the first African-American woman with three Oscar nominations, surpassing Whoopi Goldberg, but she is also poised to become the first black actor—male or female—to win the Triple Crown of Acting (one each of a competitive Oscar, Emmy and Tony). A win for Davis would mean, above all, recognition of her fierce talent as a performer, but it would also give audiences another chance to enjoy one of her unfailingly powerful acceptance speeches. Here, TIME looks back at Davis’ most memorable roles.

Donna Emmett, Law & Order: SVU, 2003-2008.
Donna Emmett, Law & Order: SVU, 2003-2008.Nicole Rivelli—NBC/Getty Images
Mrs. Miller in Doubt, 2008.
Mrs. Miller, Doubt, 2008.Miramax Films
united-states-of-tara-viola-davis
Lynda P. Frazier, United States of Tara, 2009.Showtime
Delia Shiraz in Eat Pray Love, 2010.
Delia Shiraz, Eat Pray Love, 2010.Columbia Pictures
Aibileen Clark in The Help, 2011.
Aibileen Clark, The Help, 2011.Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Nona Alberts in Won't Back Down, 2012.
Nona Alberts, Won't Back Down, 2012.20th Century Fox
Nancy Birch in Prisoners, 2013.
Nancy Birch, Prisoners, 2013.Warner Bros.
Susie Brown in Get On Up, 2014.
Susie Brown, Get On Up, 2014.Universal Pictures
Professor Annalise Keating in How to Get Away with Murder, 2014-present.
Professor Annalise Keating, How to Get Away with Murder, 2014-present.Mitch Haaseth—ABC/Getty Images
FBI Agent Carol Barrett in Blackhat, 2015.
FBI Agent Carol Barrett, Blackhat, 2015.Universal Pictures
Amanda Waller in Suicide Squad, 2016.
Amanda Waller, Suicide Squad, 2016.Warner Bros.
Rose Maxson in Fences, 2016.
Rose Maxson, Fences, 2016.Paramount Pictures

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