Kerry Washington has been a force to be reckoned with since she first hit the scene back in 1994. Her gradual rise from commercial actress from the Bronx to Emmy-winning leading lady has always been an inspiring one for fans to watch.
The mom of two turns 40 years old today. In honor of the big milestone, check out our gallery of Kerry Washington throughout the years.
1. New Yorker
Before making it big in Hollywood, Kerry was just an aspiring actress with a degree in sociology.
2. Fresh-Faced
Washington got her Screen Actors Guild card in 1994 as a requirement for a commercial she starred in. Receiving her official card symbolized her “I have arrived” moment in Hollywood.
By the early 2000s, Washington was finally making a name for herself in Hollywood. She won the Teen Choice Award in 2001 for breakout star for her role in “Save The Last Dance.”
4. NAACP Awards
Ms. Washington’s black girl magic has shined through for as long as we can remember. Here she is in 2005 receiving her NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress for her role in “Ray.”
5. Daddy’s Girl
Kerry is never shy about her love for her parents. Here she is back in 2006 receiving a kiss on the cheek from her dad.
6. Girlfriends
Kerry has made a bunch of A-list friends over the years that she still considers close pals even today. Tracee Ellis Ross is definitely one of them.
7. Yes, We Can.
In 2008, Kerry campaigned for then-presidential hopeful Barack Obama. Needless to say, her hard work paid off.
8. Old Loves
After gaining worldwide recognition for her role in “Ray,” Kerry experienced her first public breakup in 2007 with her fiance of three years, David Moscow. The actress claimed she needed time to find herself.
9. Black Hollywood
In 2008, Kerry tried her hand acting in another genre of film: thrillers. She teamed up with Samuel L. Jackson for his movie “Lakeview Terrace,” adding to her already phenomenal list of credits.
10. Shondaland
Kerry became everyone’s favorite leading lady as the incomparable Olivia Pope on “Scandal” in 2012.
11. Bow Down
The gorgeous 40-year-old’s career has been on the up and up since she hit the scene in the early ’90s. Even in 2017, she shows no signs of slowing down.
