Kerry Washington, born on January 31, 1977, in the Bronx, New York City, is an accomplished American actress, producer, and director. Raised by her mother Valerie, a professor and educational consultant, and her father Earl, a real estate broker, Kerry discovered her passion for acting early on.

She attended the Spence School in Manhattan and later George Washington University, where she graduated with a double major in anthropology and sociology. Her family background is diverse, with her mother being of mixed-race heritage, including Jamaican, English, Scottish, and Native American roots.

Her career began in theater, and she made her Broadway debut in David Mamet's play "Race" in 2009. She gained widespread recognition for her role as Olivia Pope in the ABC drama series "Scandal," which aired from 2012 to 2018.

For her performance, she received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe nomination. Kerry has also been nominated for an Emmy for her roles in the HBO film "Confirmation" and the Hulu miniseries "Little Fires Everywhere".

In film, Kerry Washington has appeared in a variety of roles, including her feature film debut in "Our Song" (2000), "Ray" (2004), "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" (2005), "The Last King of Scotland" (2006), "Django Unchained" (2012), and "Little Fires Everywhere" (2020). She has also lent her voice to animated films like "Cars 3" (2017). Kerry's versatility as an actress is evident in her ability to take on diverse and challenging roles across different genres.

Kerry Washington is married to Nnamdi Asomugha, a former professional football player, and they have two children together.