Viola Davis Net Worth

What is Viola Davis' Net Worth and Salary?

Viola Davis is an American actress who has a net worth of $35 million. Viola Davis is a powerhouse of stage, screen, and television, celebrated for her profound performances that blend emotional intensity with raw authenticity. A graduate of Juilliard, she first earned acclaim on Broadway, scoring her first Tony nomination in 1996 and later winning for "King Hedley II" (2001) and "Fences" (2010). She broke into film with a breakout turn in "Doubt" (2008), earning her first Oscar nomination, and garnered further nominations for her roles in "The Help" (2011) and "Widows" (2018). Davis achieved the Triple Crown of Acting—Tony, Emmy, and Oscar—becoming the first Black woman to do so. She won an Emmy for "How to Get Away with Murder" (2015) as Annalise Keating, an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in "Fences" (2016), and a Tony for her Broadway work.

Her gravitas continued in blockbusters and prestige dramas, portraying Amanda Waller in the DC universe, Ma Rainey in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" (2020)—earning a SAG Award and further Oscar nomination—and General Nanisca in "The Woman King" (2022). In 2023, Davis notched EGOT status with a Grammy win for her audiobook "Finding Me," and in 2025, she received the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award. Across her career, she has become a trailblazer for women of color, using her platform to champion representation, lending her voice to powerful monologues, and consistently delivering performances that resonate long after the credits roll.

Salary

Viola has at times been one of the highest-paid actresses in the world. For example, she earned roughly $15 million between September 2019 and September 2020. She earned $600,000 per episode to star in Showtime's "The First Lady" and $500,000 per episode of "How to Get Away with Murder." For the 2023 movie, "Air," in which she portrayed Michael Jordan's mother, Viola earned a Jordan-esque payday of $25 million.

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Early Life

Viola Davis was born on August 11, 1965, in St. Matthews, South Carolina, and grew up in Central Falls, Rhode Island. She was one of six children in a working-class family and has spoken openly about experiencing poverty during her childhood. Her parents worked multiple jobs, and the family at times struggled with food insecurity and unstable housing. These early experiences profoundly shaped her perspective and later informed many of her performances.

Davis discovered acting in high school and went on to attend Rhode Island College, where she majored in theater. Determined to refine her craft, she later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Juilliard School. Her classical training laid the foundation for a career defined by emotional depth and technical precision.

Stage Breakthrough and Tony Success

Davis first gained widespread recognition in theater. In 2001, she won her first Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in "King Hedley II." Her stage work earned praise for its intensity and authenticity, establishing her as one of the most respected performers in American theater.

In 2010, she returned to Broadway in the revival of "Fences," starring opposite Denzel Washington. Her portrayal of Rose Maxson earned her a second Tony Award, this time for Best Actress in a Play. The production was both a critical and commercial success, reinforcing her status as a leading stage actress.

Film Breakthrough

Davis had appeared in small film roles in projects such as "Traffic" and "Out of Sight," but her major cinematic breakthrough came in 2008 with "Doubt." Though her screen time was limited, her performance as Mrs. Miller earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and widespread acclaim.

She reached a broader audience in 2011 with "The Help," playing Aibileen Clark, a domestic worker in 1960s Mississippi. The role earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress and solidified her standing as a leading dramatic performer. The film was a commercial hit and brought Davis mainstream recognition.

In 2016, she reprised her role as Rose Maxson in the film adaptation of "Fences," directed by Denzel Washington. Her performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, completing her journey from stage triumph to cinematic recognition. That same year, she also appeared as Amanda Waller in the DC Comics film "Suicide Squad," demonstrating her range by stepping into a major studio franchise.

(Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Essence)

Television Stardom

In 2014, Davis took on the role of Annalise Keating in the ABC legal drama "How to Get Away with Murder," produced by Shonda Rhimes. The series became a ratings success and ran for six seasons. Her portrayal of the brilliant, complex law professor earned her the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2015, making her the first Black woman to win the award in that category.

The show elevated her to global television stardom and showcased her ability to anchor a long-running series with both emotional vulnerability and commanding authority.

Producing and Expanding Her Influence

In 2011, Davis co-founded JuVee Productions with her husband, actor Julius Tennon. The company focuses on developing film, television, and digital content that highlights diverse voices and underrepresented stories. Through JuVee, Davis has expanded her role in the entertainment industry beyond acting, taking an active hand in shaping projects from behind the scenes.

Her film credits in recent years have included "Widows," "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," and "The Woman King." In "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," she portrayed blues legend Ma Rainey, earning another Academy Award nomination and critical praise for her transformative performance. "The Woman King" cast her as General Nanisca, a warrior leader inspired by the all-female Agojie regiment of the Kingdom of Dahomey, blending historical drama with large-scale action filmmaking.

Writing and Advocacy

In 2022, Davis published her memoir, "Finding Me," which detailed her upbringing, career struggles, and personal growth. The book became a bestseller and offered a candid look at the challenges she faced in both her personal life and in Hollywood.

Davis has also been a vocal advocate for human rights, hunger relief, and representation in media. She has spoken publicly about pay equity and the importance of meaningful roles for Black women in film and television. Her advocacy work has earned her recognition beyond the entertainment industry.

Personal Life

Viola Davis married actor and producer Julius Tennon in 2003. The couple adopted a daughter and have frequently collaborated professionally through their production company.

Real Estate

In 2016, Davis purchased a luxurious estate in Toluca Lake for $5.7 million. The regal, two-story property features 7,500 square feet of living space, and it includes many sophisticated features. A glass door in the formal dining room leads to a 600-bottle wine cellar. In keeping with Viola's profession, the property features a private theater with a 4K projector. The outdoor area includes fountains, a pool, a built-in BBQ, and a fire pit. A 3-car garage rounds out this property.

In 2017, Viola Davis sold her property in Los Angeles for $1.15 million. Located in the neighborhood of Granada Hills in the San Fernando Valley, the property features five bedrooms and five bathrooms. Documents revealed that Davis actually purchased the property all the way back in 2005 for $1.7 million. It's not clear why she accepted such a major loss when she sold, but she was probably just eager to complete the sale and start living in her much more luxurious Toluca Lake home.

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