Claire Dawson
Viola Davis, born on August 11, 1965, in St. Matthews, South Carolina, is an award-winning actress known for her performances in films and on television. She was born on her grandmother's farm on the Singleton Plantation and grew up in Central Falls, Rhode Island, where she faced early experiences with racism and lived in poverty.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 11 August 1965 |
| Birthplace | St. Matthews, South Carolina |
| Born in a Hospital | No |
| Place of Birth | Her grandmother's farm on the Singleton Plantation |
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What You'll Learn
- Viola Davis was born on a farm on the Singleton Plantation in St. Matthews, South Carolina
- Her parents moved to Central Falls, Rhode Island, shortly after her birth
- Her father, Dan, worked as a horse groomer and trainer at racetracks
- Her mother, Mae, was a maid, factory worker, and homemaker
- She was the second youngest of six children
Viola Davis was born on a farm on the Singleton Plantation in St. Matthews, South Carolina
Viola Davis, the American actress and producer, was born on a farm on the Singleton Plantation in St. Matthews, South Carolina, on August 11, 1965. Her mother, Mae Alice Davis, was a maid, factory worker, and homemaker, and her father, Dan Davis, worked as a horse trainer. Davis was the second youngest of six children, with four sisters and a brother.
Davis described her early life on the plantation as one of ""abject poverty and dysfunction," with her family living in a one-room shack with no running water or bathroom. Despite the challenging circumstances, Davis' mother recalled a joyful atmosphere on the day of her birth, with family members celebrating and drinking together.
Soon after Davis was born, her family moved to Central Falls, Rhode Island, leaving her older siblings with her grandparents. As a child, Davis experienced poverty and lived in "rat-infested and condemned" apartments. Despite these difficulties, she discovered a love for acting at a young age and went on to pursue a successful career in the performing arts.
In 2020, on her 55th birthday, Davis posted a picture of her grandmother's shack on Instagram, reflecting on her journey from poverty to success. She also wrote a memoir, "Finding Me," published in 2022, which details her rags-to-riches story.
Viola Davis has indeed come a long way since her early years on the Singleton Plantation in St. Matthews, South Carolina. Her birth and upbringing there have shaped her life's story, and she now stands as an inspiration to many.
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Her parents moved to Central Falls, Rhode Island, shortly after her birth
Viola Davis was born on August 11, 1965, on her grandmother's farm on the Singleton Plantation in St. Matthews, South Carolina. Shortly after her birth, her parents, Mae Alice and Dan Davis, moved with Davis and two of her older siblings to Central Falls, Rhode Island, leaving her other siblings with her grandparents. Her father worked as a horse trainer at racetracks, and her mother was a maid, factory worker, and homemaker.
The family's move to Rhode Island was likely motivated by the search for better opportunities or a desire to escape the challenging living conditions on the plantation. In Rhode Island, Davis grew up in poverty and faced early experiences with racism. She described herself as having "lived in abject poverty and dysfunction" during her childhood, recalling living in "rat-infested and condemned" apartments. Despite these challenges, Davis discovered a love for acting at a young age, finding solace and escape in movies.
Central Falls, Rhode Island, became the backdrop for Davis' childhood and adolescent years. She was raised alongside her siblings, being the second youngest of six children, with four sisters and a brother. As a teenager, Davis began her extensive acting training at the Young People's School for the Performing Arts in Seekonk, Massachusetts, on a scholarship. She pursued her passion for the performing arts, laying the foundation for her future career in acting.
Davis continued her education at Rhode Island College, where she majored in theater and graduated with a degree in 1988. This academic pursuit further solidified her commitment to the arts. After completing her studies at Rhode Island College, she went on to attend the prestigious Juilliard School, marking another significant step in her journey towards becoming a renowned actress.
The move to Central Falls, Rhode Island, played a pivotal role in shaping Davis' personal and artistic development. It provided her with a new environment, exposing her to diverse cultural experiences and shaping her perspective on life. The challenges she faced during her childhood, including poverty and racism, likely influenced her acting career choices and motivated her to pursue roles that portrayed "ordinary people" and their human experiences.
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Her father, Dan, worked as a horse groomer and trainer at racetracks
Viola Davis, born on August 11, 1965, in St. Matthews, South Carolina, is an American actress and film producer. She is known for her powerful performances across stage and screen and is the first Black actress to win an Emmy Award for Best Actress, for her role as criminal defense attorney Annalise Keating in the television series How to Get Away with Murder (2014).
Davis was born on her grandmother's farm on the Singleton Plantation. Her father, Dan, worked as a horse groomer and trainer at racetracks, including Narragansett and Lincoln Downs. Her mother, Mae Alice Davis, was a maid, factory worker, and homemaker. Davis was the second youngest of six children, with four sisters and a brother. Soon after she was born, her parents moved with Davis and two of her older siblings to Central Falls, Rhode Island, leaving her other siblings with her grandparents.
Her father's work at the racetracks kept the family going, and it was a steady source of income for the large family. Dan Davis was a hard-working man, and his dedication to his job helped provide for the family. He was also a supportive father, and Davis has fond memories of her childhood and her father's influence.
Growing up, Davis faced early experiences with racism, which influenced her artistic journey. She and her sister, Diana, often went to the movies as their main form of entertainment to escape from their everyday lives. This sparked Davis's interest in acting, and she began her formal acting education at a young age. She attended the Young People's School for the Performing Arts and later graduated from Rhode Island College with a theater degree in 1988.
Viola Davis's success as an actress is an inspiring story, and her father's work as a horse groomer and trainer at racetracks played a role in providing a stable environment for her to pursue her dreams.
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Her mother, Mae, was a maid, factory worker, and homemaker
It is unclear whether Viola Davis was born in a hospital or not, but she was born on her grandmother's farm on the Singleton Plantation in St. Matthews, South Carolina, on August 11, 1965. Her mother, Mae Alice Davis (née Logan), was a maid, factory worker, and homemaker. She was also an activist during the Civil Rights Movement.
Mae was one of the first African American women to live in Central Falls, Rhode Island, after she and Davis's father, Dan, moved there with their daughter and two of her older siblings shortly after her birth. Dan worked as a horse groomer and trainer at racetracks, including Narragansett and Lincoln Downs.
Mae's work as a maid and factory worker likely contributed to the financial struggles that Davis described as a part of her childhood. In an interview, Davis recalled living in "rat-infested and condemned" apartments and described her family as having "lived in abject poverty and dysfunction." Despite these challenges, Davis found solace in watching movies and discovered a love for acting at a young age.
Davis has since become an award-winning actress, known for her powerful performances across stage and screen. She is one of the few actresses to win all four major North American entertainment awards, achieving the prestigious EGOT status. Her accolades include the Triple Crown of Acting, two Tony Awards, and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
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She was the second youngest of six children
Viola Davis was born on 11 August 1965 on her grandmother's farm on the Singleton Plantation in St. Matthews, South Carolina. Her parents, Mae Alice Davis (née Logan) and Dan Davis, soon moved with Davis and two of her older siblings to Central Falls, Rhode Island, leaving her other three siblings with her grandparents.
Davis was the second youngest of six children, with four sisters and one brother. She has described her childhood as one lived in abject poverty and dysfunction, recalling that her family lived in "rat-infested and condemned" apartments. Her father worked as a horse groomer at racetracks, including Narragansett and Lincoln Downs. Her mother was a maid, factory worker, and homemaker, and she was also an activist during the Civil Rights Movement. When Davis was two, she was taken to jail with her mother after her mother was arrested during a civil rights protest.
Davis and her sister Diana went to films as their main form of entertainment to escape from their everyday lives, and it was during this time that Davis began to consider an acting career. She began her acting education at the Young People's School for the Performing Arts in Seekonk, Massachusetts, before enrolling at Rhode Island College, where she graduated with a theatre degree in 1988. She then honed her craft at the Juilliard School in New York City, making her Broadway debut in 1996.
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Frequently asked questions
Viola Davis was born on her grandmother's farm on the Singleton Plantation in St. Matthews, South Carolina.
She was born on 11 August 1965.
Her parents were Mae Alice Davis (née Logan) and Dan Davis. Her father worked as a horse groomer at racetracks, and her mother was a maid, factory worker, and homemaker.
