Born 59 years ago in a one-room shack on her grandmother’s South Carolina farm, Viola Davis grew up in poverty, enduring hunger, harsh winters, and nights plagued by rats. Despite these hardships, she found strength in education and creativity.

Her passion for acting took her from childhood talent shows to Juilliard. At 29, she earned her first Tony nomination, later receiving Oscar nominations for Doubt (2008) and The Help (2011). In 2015, she made history as the first Black woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress, and in 2017, she won an Oscar for Fences. Today, Davis advocates against childhood hunger, inspiring others with her story of resilience and success.