Viola Davis Wax Figure Unveiled at Madame Tussauds Hollywood: A Monument to Greatness
Viola Davis, one of the most celebrated actors of her generation, has achieved a remarkable career defined by groundbreaking firsts, unforgettable performances, and an unwavering commitment to telling stories that reflect depth, dignity, and truth. In 2025, Davis received her first wax figure at Madame Tussauds Hollywood, a tribute to her legacy that honors her unforgettable 2017 Oscars red carpet look. The figure dons her iconic red Armani gown, complete with a halter neckline, off-the-shoulder detailing, and elegant train. Her hairstyle—chic with soft bangs—along with glam makeup, perfectly encapsulates her timeless elegance.
From Humble Beginnings to Stage Royalty
Born in St. Matthews, South Carolina, and raised in Central Falls, Rhode Island, Davis’s journey to stardom began on the stage. A graduate of the prestigious Juilliard School, she started her professional acting career in local theater before making her Broadway debut in August Wilson’s Seven Guitars (1996), a performance that earned her a Tony nomination. Davis continued her work with Wilson’s powerful stories, winning her first Tony Award for her role as Tonya in King Hedley II (2001). She would later return to Wilson’s world with Fences (2010), where her portrayal of Rose Maxson garnered a second Tony Award and solidified her standing as one of Broadway’s most formidable performers.
An Incredible Journey Through Film
In film, Davis began appearing in small roles in the early 2000s. Her work in Traffic and Solaris, both directed by Steven Soderbergh, helped establish her versatility. She appeared in supporting roles in films such as Antwone Fisher (2002), Far From Heaven (2002), and Kate & Leopold (2001), and even voiced the unseen parole board interrogator in Ocean’s Eleven (2001). Davis’s reputation for delivering powerful performances, no matter the size of the role, continued to grow.
The turning point in her screen career came in 2008 with her unforgettable performance in Doubt, opposite Meryl Streep. Though she appeared in only a few scenes, Davis delivered a deeply affecting portrayal of a mother facing an unthinkable dilemma. Her performance became the emotional epicenter of the film and earned her her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Roger Ebert famously praised the performance, calling it “the emotional heart and soul of Doubt,” and commended her for holding her own against Streep in a scene of stunning intensity.
A Streak of Breakout Success
In 2010, Davis once again starred in Fences, this time in the Broadway revival alongside Denzel Washington. The performance, lauded by critics and audiences alike, led to her second Tony win and further confirmed her power on stage. That same year, she appeared in Eat Pray Love with Julia Roberts and Knight and Day starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. She also played a psychiatrist in It’s Kind of a Funny Story (2010).
Her leading role as Aibileen Clark in The Help (2011) brought widespread acclaim and a second Oscar nomination. Though Davis later expressed regret about the film’s portrayal of its Black characters, she emphasized how she channeled her own mother and grandmother in the role, bringing authenticity and emotional truth to the performance. Davis won two Screen Actors Guild Awards for the film and earned Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations.
In 2012, she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People and received several honors, including Glamour’s Film Actress of the Year and the Crystal Award from Women in Film. In 2014, she played James Brown’s mother in Get On Up, a biopic directed by Tate Taylor, with her daughter Genesis also making a cameo.
The Iconic Role In How To Get Away With Murder
Later that year, Davis was cast as Annalise Keating in How to Get Away with Murder, a Shonda Rhimes-produced legal thriller. The series premiered in September 2014 and became an instant hit. In 2015, Davis made history as the first African-American woman to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. She received another Emmy nomination for the role in 2016 and won two Screen Actors Guild Awards for her performance. She also earned Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice nominations for her commanding portrayal of the brilliant, complicated lawyer and professor.
That same year, Davis starred in Blackhat opposite Chris Hemsworth and executive produced and starred in the indie crime drama Lila & Eve alongside Jennifer Lopez. In 2016, she returned to August Wilson’s world once again, reprising her role as Rose Maxson in the film adaptation of Fences, directed by and co-starring Denzel Washington. Her portrayal was universally praised and earned her a third Academy Award nomination and, finally, an Oscar win for Best Supporting Actress. With this, Davis became the first Black performer to win the “Triple Crown of Acting”—a Tony, Emmy, and Oscar in competitive categories.
A Glamorous Tribute: Viola Davis’s Red Carpet Legacy Immortalized
The Viola Davis wax figure reflects her stunning 2017 Academy Awards appearance, where she won Best Supporting Actress for Fences. Dressed in a halter-neck, off-the-shoulder red Armani gown with a flowing train, the waxwork captures Davis’s signature grace and poise. Her soft bangs and glam makeup are perfectly replicated, making this a standout addition to Madame Tussauds’ star-studded lineup.
This unveiling comes as Davis promotes her upcoming political action thriller, G20, where she plays the President of the United States—adding yet another groundbreaking role to her powerful filmography.
A True Generational Talent
Also in 2016, Davis played Amanda Waller in Suicide Squad, bringing gravitas and intimidation to the role. She reprised this role in future DC Universe entries, including the animated series Creature Commandos in 2024.
In 2017, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, presented by Meryl Streep, and appeared again on Time’s list of the 100 Most Influential People. She received the Artist of the Year Award from Harvard University that same year.
Her post-Fences projects were just as varied. She starred in the heist drama Widows (2018) directed by Steve McQueen, who called her “one of the greatest actors of her generation.” Davis also headlined The Woman King (2022), a historical action film where she played a fierce leader of a group of all-female warriors in Africa, showcasing her range and commitment to portraying powerful Black women.
Dominating Voice Acting and Beyond
Davis also turned to voice acting, voicing the main antagonist, the Chameleon, in Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024). In March 2024, she was honored with a Barbie doll made in her likeness to commemorate the 65th anniversary of International Women’s Day. That following December, she and her husband Julius Tennon received the inaugural Faith and Spirituality in Entertainment Honor. This award came from the Coalition for Faith and Media for their work with JuVee Productions. Which is their company that champions diverse voices in film and television.
In February 2023, Davis reached the pinnacle of entertainment recognition by achieving EGOT status. Winning the Grammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording for the audiobook version of her memoir Finding Me. This made her the 18th person in history to attain EGOT status and the first African-American woman to do so with a Grammy win in that category.
What’s Next For The Hollywood Legend
She holds several distinctions in the awards landscape. Davis is the most awarded African American actor in the history of the Screen Actors Guild Awards. In addition to being tied for the most film wins for an actress. She is also the first actress of color to receive four Oscar nominations. In 2024, it was announced that she would receive the Golden Globe’s prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2025. Honoring her outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment.
Now, with her role as the President of the United States in the upcoming action thriller G20, Davis continues to break new ground. Her commitment to portraying women of strength, complexity, and authenticity—on stage, on screen, and behind the scenes—cements her legacy not just as a great actress, but as a transformative figure in American culture.
