Kerry Washington is one of Hollywood’s most admired and influential actresses, celebrated for her powerful performances on television, film, and stage. Best known for redefining prime-time drama as Olivia Pope in Scandal, she has built a career marked by range, resilience, and cultural impact. With Emmy wins, multiple Golden Globe and Tony nominations, and recognition from Time and Forbes, Washington continues to shine as a trailblazing performer and producer.
In this article, we’ll explore her early life, family, career milestones, personal journey, and the remarkable legacy she’s built on and off screen.
Kerry Washington Snuck a Snack in the Met Gala Bathroom
During the recent Met Gala, actress Kerry Washington made headlines for a quirky backstage moment: she was spotted eating her own jerky in a bathroom, showing that even style stars get hungry behind the scenes.
The lighthearted incident went viral, highlighting the human side of celebrity life amid the glitz and glamour.
Early Life & Education, Parents
Kerry Washington was born on January 31, 1977, in the Bronx, New York, and grew up in a culturally rich and academically focused family. She was raised by her mother, Valerie, a professor and educational consultant, and Earl Washington, a real estate broker—though she later learned in 2018 that she was conceived via a sperm donor, a revelation she shared in her 2023 memoir.
Her heritage is deeply diverse, with her mother’s Jamaican, English, Scottish, Native American, and African roots, and she is also a cousin of former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. Kerry attended the Spence School in Manhattan and performed with the TADA! Youth Theater, nurturing her love for the arts from a young age.
She went on to study anthropology and sociology at George Washington University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1998, and later trained in acting at Michael Howard Studios.
| Full Name | Kerry Marisa Washington |
| Date of Birth | 31 January 1977 |
| Place of Birth | The Bronx, New York, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Husband | Nnamdi Asomugha |
| Parents | Father: Earl Washington
Mother: Valerie Washington |
| Education | The George Washington University, Michael Howard Studios, Spence School, Corcoran College of Art and Design |
| Net Worth | $5 million |
| Social Media | Instagram – Facebook – YouTube |
Net Worth, Religion & Ethnicity
As of 2025, Kerry Washington has an estimated net worth of around $50 million, built through her long and successful career in television, film, producing, and brand endorsements. She identifies as a Christian, though she keeps her spiritual life private and focuses more on themes of compassion, justice, and empowerment.
Kerry’s ethnicity is African-American with Jamaican, English, Scottish, and Native American ancestry through her mother’s side, giving her a rich and multicultural heritage that she has often said shaped her worldview and identity.
Personal life, Husband & Relationships
Kerry Washington has been open about the difficult experiences that shaped her early life, including childhood trauma and struggles with body image during her college years. In her adult life, she first became engaged to actor David Moscow in 2004, but the two ended their relationship in 2007.
Kerry later found lasting love with former NFL player Nnamdi Asomugha, whom she married on June 24, 2013, in a private ceremony in Idaho. Together, they have a daughter and a son, and Kerry is also a loving stepmother to Nnamdi’s daughter from a previous relationship.
Despite her fame, she keeps her family life very private, choosing to protect her children and maintain a grounded, supportive home away from the spotlight.
Height, Weight & Physical Appearance
Kerry Washington is known for her elegant and graceful presence. She stands around 5 feet 4 inches tall and maintains a healthy, fit frame with an average weight that suits her petite build. She has naturally dark brown hair, which she often styles in soft waves or sleek looks, and her deep brown eyes.
Career Details
Kerry Washington’s career began in the mid-1990s and quickly grew into one of the most respected and diverse bodies of work in Hollywood. She earned her SAG card for a commercial and made her screen debut in the 1994 ABC telefilm Magical Make-Over, followed by early appearances in Standard Deviants and the indie film Our Song (2000). Through the early 2000s, she built momentum with roles in Save the Last Dance, Bad Company, Ray, The Last King of Scotland, and Spike Lee’s She Hate Me, proving her versatility across genres.
Her major breakthrough came in 2012 when she starred as Olivia Pope in Shonda Rhimes’ hit series Scandal, a role that turned her into a global star. The show earned her multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and made her one of TV’s highest-paid actresses. During this period, she also impressed audiences in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained and made her Broadway debut in Race.
In the years that followed, Washington continued expanding her work both in front of and behind the camera. She produced and starred in HBO’s Confirmation, appeared in acclaimed projects like Little Fires Everywhere, made her directorial debut on Scandal, and launched her own production company, Simpson Street.
She also starred in American Son on Broadway and its Netflix adaptation, voiced characters in Cars 3 and The Simpsons, and took on major film roles in The Prom and The School for Good and Evil.
Most recently, Washington has continued taking on powerful, meaningful roles, including the WWII drama The Six Triple Eight and the action thriller Shadow Force, while joining the ensemble of Rian Johnson’s upcoming Knives Out sequel Wake Up Dead Man. Her career remains defined by bold choices, strong storytelling, and a commitment to representing complex, dynamic women on screen.
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