Trivia

Was accepted into Yale University and Dartmouth College but declined both.

Her father is African-American and her mother is of Jamaican ancestry (including African, English and Scottish).

Growing up in the Bronx, she attended the same local Boys and Girls Club of America as Jennifer Lopez.

Jennifer Lopez was her high school dancing teacher.

Is the only child of a real-estate agent father, Earl, and a mother, Valerie, who is college professor.

Has played Jamie Foxx's wife in two films: Ray (2004) and Django Unchained (2012). As of 2018, those are the only two Best Picture Oscar nominated films that either has appeared in.

Gave birth to her first child at age 37, a daughter named Isabelle Amarachi Asomugha on April 21, 2014. Child's father is her husband, Nnamdi Asomugha.

Also graduated from the girls' private Spence School in New York City (1994), where she acted in plays. Gwyneth Paltrow, Emmy Rossum, and Sally Pressman also attended Spence School.

Gave birth to her second child at age 39, a son named Caleb Kelechi Asomugha. Child's father is her husband, Nnamdi Asomugha. (October 5, 2016)

Was seven months pregnant with her daughter Isabelle when she completed filming the third season of Scandal (2012). Returned to work three months after giving birth to Isabelle to begin filming the fourth season of Scandal (2012).

She regularly attends church, but also insists to reporters that "I don't talk about my personal life.".

Married her boyfriend of a year Nnamdi Asomugha on June 24, 2013.

Is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of George Washington University's theater program (1998). She double majored in anthropology and sociology.

Kerry Washington is a cousin of Milly Silva, who ran to be New Jersey's lieutenant governor in 2013. Silva was on the Democratic ticket with State Senator Barbara Buono, who was running for governor. Washington campaigned for Buono and Silva.

Was eight months pregnant with her son Caleb when she completed filming the sixth season of Scandal (2012). Returned to work five months after giving birth to Caleb to begin filming the sequel Cars 3 (2017).

Was on the Time 100, a list of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine. (2014)

She was engaged to actor David Moscow from October 2004 to March 2007.

Washington was cast in the role of Mahandra McGinty on the television series Wonderfalls (2004) and played Mahandra in the original pilot. But when the series was picked up, she was recast and her scenes in the pilot were reshot with the actress who replaced her, Tracie Thoms.

Friends with Tony Goldwyn, Nicole Kidman, Jamie Foxx, Gabrielle Union, Charlize Theron, Reese Witherspoon, Jessica Alba, Leslie Odom Jr., Elisabeth Moss, Kate Mara and Meghan Markle.

Studied acting at Michael Howard Studios in New York City.

She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 6258 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. Tyler Perry and Shonda Rhimes were guest speakers at the ceremony. (December 2, 2024)

She received an honorary degree (Doctor of Fine Arts) from George Washington University, before she gave her commencement speech. (May 19, 2013)

Ranked #65 on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 Women list. (2014)

Attended George Washington University with civil rights lawyer Dale Ho, who transitioned from acting to working for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

She was in an a cappella group.

Considers 2012 the year that transformed her career, thanks to the success of Django Unchained (2012) and the debut of Scandal (2012), which she says dramatically changed her professional trajectory.

Cousin of Michael Powell and Linda Powell.