Kerry
Marisa Washington: Actress,
Producer,
Director, Activist
Biography
Full Name: Kerry Marisa Washington
Date of
Birth: January 31, 1977
Nationality: American
Occupation: Actress,
Producer, Director, Activist
Birthplace: The
Bronx, New York City, New York, United States
Family
and Personal Life
In June 2013,
Kerry married Nnamdi Asomugha, a
former NFL cornerback turned actor, in a private ceremony in Hailey, Idaho.
Their relationship had been kept largely out of the public eye, reflecting
Kerry’s commitment to maintaining her personal life away from Hollywood’s
spotlight. Together, they have two children: Isabelle Amarachi Asomugha (born in 2014) and Caleb Kelechi Asomugha (born in 2016). Kerry is also a loving
stepmother to Nnamdi’s daughter from a previous relationship.
Washington is
deeply private but has occasionally spoken about motherhood, describing it as a
transformative and grounding experience. Her family values and dedication to
her children are evident in how she balances her career and personal life.
Writing her memoir also helped her connect more deeply with her parents,
especially after learning the complex truth about her biological origins.
Career
Early
Career
Kerry Washington’s
professional acting debut came in the late 1990s, but it was her role in the
2000 film Our Song that first earned her significant attention. From there, she
steadily built a resume filled with both independent films and mainstream
productions, showcasing her adaptability and natural presence on screen.
Throughout the
early 2000s, she appeared in a range of movies including:
Save the
Last Dance (2001)
Lift
(2001)
Bad
Company (2002)
Her breakout role
came with the critically acclaimed biopic Ray
(2004), in which she portrayed Della
Bea Robinson, the wife of legendary musician Ray Charles (played by Jamie Foxx).
Rise to
Stardom: Scandal and Beyond
Kerry Washington’s
career reached new heights when she landed the leading role of Olivia Pope in the ABC political drama
series Scandal (2012–2018). Created
by Shonda Rhimes, Scandal became a cultural phenomenon and earned Kerry
widespread acclaim. As Olivia Pope, a brilliant crisis manager with complicated
personal ethics, Washington became the first African-American woman to headline
a network drama in nearly 40 years.
Her performance in
Scandal earned her two Primetime Emmy
Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, a Golden Globe nomination, and multiple NAACP Image Awards.
Beyond Scandal,
Kerry continued to expand her work in both film and television, starring in and
producing projects such as:
Confirmation
(2016) — portraying Anita
Hill
Little
Fires Everywhere (2020) —
starring alongside Reese Witherspoon, also serving as executive producer
The Prom
(2020)
The
School for Good and Evil (2022)
The Six
Triple Eight (2024) —
portraying Major Charity Adams
Washington is also
a successful Broadway actress. Her stage debut came in David Mamet’s Race
(2009), and she later starred in American
Son (2018–2019), which was adapted into a Netflix film.
Producer
and Entrepreneur
Kerry founded her
own production company, Simpson Street, in 2016, named after the street where
her mother grew up. Through Simpson Street, she has focused on amplifying
diverse voices and producing socially conscious content.
Her work as a
producer includes American Son, Little Fires Everywhere, The Fight (2020), and
the Netflix comedy special The G Word with Adam Conover (2022).
Activism
Throughout her
career, Kerry Washington has been an outspoken advocate for social justice,
women's rights, and LGBTQ+ rights. She has worked closely with organizations
like GLSEN, Planned Parenthood, and Voto Latino. In 2020, she was a
featured speaker during the Democratic
National Convention and actively encouraged voter registration and
participation.
Height
and Physical Stats
Kerry Washington
stands at 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm)
tall. She is known for her elegant style, grace, and distinctive beauty, often
being praised for her fashion sense and red-carpet appearances.
Net Worth
As of 2025, Kerry Washington’s net worth is
estimated to be around $50 million.
Her wealth comes
from her impressive acting career, her success as a producer, and lucrative
endorsement deals with brands like Neutrogena,
Apple, and Movado. She earned an
estimated $250,000 per episode at the peak of Scandal and
later secured million-dollar deals for projects like Little Fires Everywhere,
where she reportedly earned over $1.1
million per episode.
In addition to her
income from acting and producing, Kerry has made smart real estate investments.
She and Nnamdi own luxurious properties, including a stunning home in Manhattan
Beach, California, and a Manhattan apartment.
She also owns
luxury vehicles, including a Porsche Panamera, and lives a comfortable yet
relatively private and grounded lifestyle.
Conclusion
Kerry Washington’s
journey from a young girl in The Bronx to a powerhouse in Hollywood is a
testament to her talent, intelligence, and unwavering commitment to
storytelling. Whether captivating audiences on-screen, advocating for social
justice, or nurturing the next generation of artists through her production
company, she continues to inspire millions. With a flourishing career and a
beautiful family, Kerry Washington remains a shining example of success,
resilience, and grace in modern entertainment.
