Kerry Washington gained worldwide fame for playing Ray Charles' wife, Della Bea Robinson, in the film Ray in 2004.
Growing up, Washington performed in children's musical theater, and then later studied acting at the Spence School in Manhattan where she graduated in 1994. Washington went on to earn a theater degree from George Washington University in 1998, and further studied at Michael Howard Studios in New York.
Washington landed television and film roles starting in 1994, when she was cast in an ABC Afterschool Special. Since then, she she's appeared on 100 Centre Street and Boston Legal, as well as movies like Save the Last Dance, Bad Company, The United States of Leland, The Human Stain, Fantastic Four, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, The Last King of Scotland , The Dead Girl and Ray, which earned her several awards.
Washington is also a spokesperson for L'Oreal cosmetics, appearing in commercials and ads for the line alongside fellow actresses Scarlett Johansson and Eva Longoria Parker. She also helped direct and appeared in the music video for artist Common's song, "I Want You", from his album Finding Forever.
At present, Washington leads the ABC series Scandal as professional crisis manager Olivia Pope.