ACTRESS Kerry Washington was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Monday (Dec 2), marking a major milestone in her illustrious career in film and television.
During the star-unveiling ceremony, Washington expressed her gratitude to her parents, Earl and Valerie, who she credited with inspiring her to dream big and pursue her passions.
"Mom and dad, can you believe it? An actual star?" she said, reflecting on the significance of the moment.
Washington also took a moment to thank her fans and supporters, recognising their crucial role in helping her reach this point in her career. “So many of you are part of how I got here. My prayer today is that my starlight continues to connect me to that light that shines each of you,” she said, acknowledging the collective efforts that led to her success.
She later wrote on Instagram: "Feeling like the luckiest girl in the galaxy. deeply grateful for this immense honor. Thank you to every actor, writer, producer, director, casting director, agent, manager, crew member and most especially to every single viewer and fan! THANK YOU 🙏🏾 When you visit Hollywood, come find this ⭐️ and know that it’s not my ⭐️ it’s OUR star because you helped make this dream come true."
The ceremony comes just ahead of the premiere of Washington’s new film, The Six Triple Eight, written and directed by Tyler Perry. Perry, along with Scandal creator Shonda Rhimes, joined Washington at the unveiling, which took place near Vine Street and Argyle Avenue, in front of the W Hollywood Hotel.
Washington’s star is the 2,797th addition to the Walk of Fame, following the original 1,558 stars completed in 1961.
Born on January 31, 1977, in The Bronx, New York, Washington began her acting career in the theatre at The Spence School, an all-girls private school in Manhattan. After graduating in 1994, she made her television debut in the 1994 ABC Afterschool Special, Magical Make-Over.
Her early career saw her in recurring roles on TV shows such as 100 Centre Street and guest appearances on NYPD Blue and Law & Order.
Washington’s breakout role came with her portrayal of Della Bea Robinson, the wife of Ray Charles (played by Jamie Foxx), in the 2004 biographical film Ray. She further solidified her place in Hollywood with major roles in films such as Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), The Last King of Scotland (2006), and the Fantastic Four franchise (2005, 2007).
Her career reached new heights with her role as Olivia Pope in the groundbreaking political thriller Scandal, which aired from 2012 to 2018. Washington’s portrayal of the crisis manager earned her multiple accolades, including two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2013 and 2014.
Washington continued to showcase her versatility, receiving additional Emmy nominations for her performances in HBO’s Confirmation (2016), where she portrayed Anita Hill, and for her role in Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere (2020), based on the bestselling novel.
She was also nominated for her work as a producer, winning the Emmy for Outstanding Live Variety Special in 2020 for Live in Front of a Studio Audience: All in the Family and Good Times.
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