Kerry Marisa Washington (born January 31, 1977) is an American actress, producer, and director best known for her role as Olivia Pope in Scandal. A Bronx native and George Washington University graduate, she has starred in Ray, Django Unchained, and Little Fires Everywhere.
KERRY WASHINGTON PROFILE
| Name | Kerry Washington |
| Real Name | Kerry Marisa Washington |
| Date Of Birth | 31 January 1977 |
| Age | 48 Years |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actress and Director |
| Religion | Christian |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Net Worth | $50Million |
| Copied From | Contents101.com |
KERRY WASHINGTON BIOGRAPHY
Kerry Marisa Washington was born on January 31, 1977, in The Bronx, New York City, United States. She was raised in a middle-class household by her parents, Valerie Washington, an educational consultant and professor, and Earl Washington, a real estate broker. Kerry has a mixed heritage of African-American and Jamaican roots, with traces of English and Scottish ancestry. She developed a love for performing arts from a young age, participating in local theater and school plays.
In 2023, she revealed in her memoir Thicker Than Water that she was conceived via a sperm donor and that the man she grew up knowing as her father, Earl Washington, is not her biological father.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Kerry attended the prestigious Spence School, an all-girls private institution in Manhattan. During her time there, she honed her acting skills and began exploring theater arts. After high school, she furthered her education at George Washington University, where she graduated cum laude with a degree in Performance Studies and Sociology. She also studied at Michael Howard Studios in New York City to enhance her acting training.
CAREER
Kerry Washington began her professional acting career in the late 1990s, making her film debut in Our Song (2000). She gained early recognition for her roles in Save the Last Dance (2001), Bad Company (2002), and The Human Stain (2003). Her breakout performance came in Ray (2004), where she played Della Bea Robinson, the wife of legendary musician Ray Charles.
In 2012, Kerry achieved global fame for her starring role as Olivia Pope in the hit ABC political drama Scandal, created by Shonda Rhimes. The show earned her several Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and made her one of television’s highest-paid actresses. She also received praise for her roles in films such as The Last King of Scotland (2006), Django Unchained (2012), Mother and Child (2009), and Confirmation (2016), in which she portrayed Anita Hill.
Beyond acting, Kerry has produced and directed several projects, including Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere (2020), where she starred alongside Reese Witherspoon. In 2023, she published her memoir Thicker Than Water, which became a New York Times bestseller. She continues to appear in major film and television projects, including the 2024 war drama The Six Triple Eight, portraying Major Charity Adams.
CONTROVERSIES
Kerry Washington has largely maintained a clean public image and is known for her professionalism and advocacy work. However, her memoir sparked media attention when she revealed her conception via sperm donation and her past experiences with anxiety and depression. Some discussions around her character in Scandal also drew political and racial commentary, but Kerry has remained graceful and focused in addressing these sensitive issues.
KERRY WASHINGTON SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLE
https://www.instagram.com/kerrywashington
PERSONAL LIFE
Kerry Washington married Nnamdi Asomugha, a former NFL player and actor, on June 24, 2013, in a private ceremony. The couple has two children together—a daughter and a son—and Kerry is also a stepmother to Asomugha’s daughter from a previous relationship. She is known for keeping her family life extremely private, rarely sharing details about her marriage or children. Kerry is also an advocate for women’s rights, racial equality, and education.
KERRY WASHINGTON NET WORTH
As of 2025, Kerry Washington’s estimated net worth is $50 million.