ACTOR · BORN 1977
Kerry Washington
- Born
- 31 January 1977, The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA
- Known for
- Django Unchained (2012), Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), The Simpsons (1989), Fantastic Four (2005)
27 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
All facts (27)
- #001
Kerry Washington was accepted to Yale University and Dartmouth College but turned down both prestigious institutions. The decision reflected her desire to focus on acting rather than an academic career. That bold choice at a young age paved the way for her later rise as a major name in Hollywood.
- #002
Kerry Washington's father is African-American and her mother is of Jamaican descent, with African, English and Scottish ancestors in her mother's lineage. This multicultural heritage shaped her identity and the depth she brings to her acting. Washington carries that diversity with pride in both her personal and professional life.
- #003
Growing up in the Bronx, Kerry Washington attended the same local Boys and Girls Club as Jennifer Lopez during her childhood. The club was a center that supported young people's development through social and athletic activities. Although Washington's and Lopez's paths crossed then, both went on to achieve major success in their own fields.
- #004
During her high school years, Kerry Washington's dance teacher was the famous singer and actress Jennifer Lopez. Lopez was teaching dance classes in the Bronx at the time and gave Washington her basic dance training. This early connection may have boosted Washington's confidence in her stage performances.
- #005
Kerry Washington is the only child of Earl, a real estate broker, and Valerie, a university professor. Her family gave her an environment that valued education and the arts. This supportive family structure laid the groundwork for Washington to succeed in both academic and artistic fields.
- #006
Kerry Washington played a married couple with Jamie Foxx in two different films: Ray (2004) and Django Unchained (2012). As of 2018, these two films are the only productions featuring Washington and Foxx that have been nominated for the Best Picture Oscar. Both films drew great acclaim from critics and earned an important place in cinema history.
- #007
Kerry Washington gave birth to her first child, her daughter Isabelle Amarachi Asomugha, on April 21, 2014, at the age of 37. The baby's father is Washington's husband, Nnamdi Asomugha. The happy event marked an important turning point as Washington balanced motherhood and her career.
- #008
Kerry Washington graduated in 1994 from the Spence School, a private girls' school in New York, where she actively took roles in school plays. Spence School is a long-established institution whose alumni also include famous names such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Emmy Rossum and Sally Pressman. Washington's interest in theater took root at this school.
- #009
Kerry Washington gave birth to her second child, her son Caleb Kelechi Asomugha, at the age of 39. Caleb's father is also her husband, Nnamdi Asomugha. Washington timed the births of her two children to coincide with busy periods in her career, successfully managing both motherhood and her acting responsibilities.
- #010
When Kerry Washington finished filming the third season of Scandal, she was seven months pregnant with her daughter Isabelle. Just three months after giving birth, she returned to work to begin filming the fourth season. This shows her professional commitment and her determination to work even under difficult conditions.
- #011
Kerry Washington is the cousin of Milly Silva, who ran for lieutenant governor of New Jersey in 2013. Silva ran alongside State Senator Barbara Buono, the Democratic Party's gubernatorial candidate. Washington actively campaigned in support of her cousin and Buono and took part in the political process.
- #012
Although Kerry Washington attends church regularly, she refuses to talk about her private life and often tells reporters, "I don't talk about my private life." This stance shows her determination to protect her private space in the face of the media. While living by her personal beliefs, Washington also places great importance on her privacy.
- #013
Kerry Washington married her boyfriend Nnamdi Asomugha, whom she had been with for a year, on June 24, 2013. Asomugha is a former American football player who later turned to producing. The couple's wedding took place in a private ceremony attended by close friends and family.
- #014
Kerry Washington graduated in 1998 from George Washington University's theater program with Phi Beta Kappa honors. She double-majored in anthropology and sociology at the university. This academic achievement shows that she stands out not only for her acting talent but also for her intellectual depth.
- #015
When Kerry Washington finished filming the sixth season of Scandal, she was eight months pregnant with her son Caleb. Five months after Caleb's birth, she returned to work to begin voice work on the film Cars 3 (2017). This reveals her determination to continue her career without a break even through pregnancy and childbirth.
- #016
Kerry Washington was included in the Time 100 list, which Time magazine publishes each year to name the world's 100 most influential people. The list brings together important figures from politics, the arts, science and business. Washington's inclusion shows that she is recognized not only as an actress but also for her social impact.
- #017
Kerry Washington was engaged to actor David Moscow from October 2004 to March 2007. Moscow is best known for his role as young Josh in the film Big (1988). The engagement coincided with the years when Washington's career was on the rise, and the relationship later ended.
- #018
Kerry Washington was cast as Mahandra McGinty in the television series Wonderfalls (2004) and played the character in the original pilot episode. When the series was picked up, however, the producers recast the role and Washington's scenes were reshot with Tracie Thoms. This is an example of the cast changes that are common in the television world.
- #019
Kerry Washington is close friends with many famous names, including Tony Goldwyn, Nicole Kidman, Jamie Foxx, Gabrielle Union, Charlize Theron, Reese Witherspoon, Jessica Alba, Leslie Odom Jr., Elisabeth Moss, Kate Mara and Meghan Markle. This wide network of friendships shows how broad her social circle in Hollywood is. Washington sees these friendships as a supportive force both personally and professionally.
- #020
Kerry Washington trained in acting at Michael Howard Studios in New York. The studio is a respected institution for acting technique and has helped train many successful actors. Through the training she received there, Washington developed her ability to deliver strong performances on stage and in front of the camera.
- #021
Kerry Washington was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Television category at 6258 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. Producer Tyler Perry and Scandal creator Shonda Rhimes appeared as guest speakers at the ceremony. The award is regarded as a recognition of her contributions to the world of television.
- #022
Kerry Washington received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from George Washington University and then delivered a speech at the commencement ceremony. The honor is a gesture recognizing both her achievements in her acting career and her contributions to society. In her commencement address, Washington shared inspirational messages with young people.
- #023
Kerry Washington ranked 65th on Maxim magazine's annual Hot 100 Women list. The list ranks the world's most attractive and influential women. Washington's inclusion on the list shows that she is appreciated by a wide fan base for both her beauty and her career.
- #024
Kerry Washington studied at George Washington University at the same time as civil rights lawyer Dale Ho. After beginning an acting career, Ho turned to law and began working for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). This shared university experience shows how diverse Washington's academic circle was.
- #025
Kerry Washington sees 2012 as a turning point that transformed her career. That year, with the success of the film Django Unchained (2012) and the premiere of the series Scandal (2012), her professional trajectory changed significantly. Washington states that these two productions brought her great visibility in both critical and commercial terms.
- #026
During her university years, Kerry Washington was a member of an a cappella group. A cappella is the art of making music using only the human voice, without instruments. This experience helped her develop her musical talent and gain confidence in her stage performances.
- #027
Kerry Washington is a cousin of Michael Powell and Linda Powell. Michael Powell is a former American football player and coach, while Linda Powell is an actress. These family ties strengthened Washington's connections to the worlds of art and sports.
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