Viola Davis and Glenn Close have built remarkable careers through powerful performances across film, television and theatre. Viola is celebrated for emotionally compelling roles in Fences, The Help and How to Get Away with Murder, while Glenn has earned recognition for films such as Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons and The Wife. Both actresses have received major industry honours and established themselves as influential figures in entertainment. Their backgrounds, family lives, education and professional achievements reveal two distinctive journeys through Hollywood.
Viola Davis and Glenn Close Quick Bio
| Key Information | Viola Davis | Glenn Close |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Viola Davis | Glenn Close |
| Date of Birth | August 11, 1965 | March 19, 1947 |
| Estimated Net Worth | Approximately $35 million, according to published estimates | Approximately $50 million, according to published estimates |
| Age (2026) | 61 years old | 79 years old |
| Nickname | No widely established personal nickname confirmed | Glennie |
| Birthplace | St. Matthews, South Carolina, United States | Greenwich, Connecticut, United States |
| Nationality | American | American |
| Profession | Actress, producer and author | Actress and producer |
| Famous For | Fences, The Help, Doubt, How to Get Away with Murder and The Woman King | Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons, 101 Dalmatians, The Wife and Damages |
| Height | Approximately 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) | Approximately 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) |
| Weight | Not reliably confirmed publicly | Not reliably confirmed publicly |
| Hair Colour | Naturally black or dark brown | Naturally brown; often styled blonde, grey or silver |
| Eye Colour | Not reliably confirmed | Not reliably confirmed |
| Father | Dan Davis | William Taliaferro Close |
| Mother | Mary Alice Logan Davis | Elizabeth Mary Hester “Bettine” Close |
| Siblings | Five siblings: four sisters and one brother | Four siblings: Tina, Jessie, Alexander “Sandy” and Tambu Misoki |
| Marital Status | Married | Divorced |
| Husband | Julius Tennon, married in June 2003 | Previously married Cabot Wade, James Marlas and David Evans Shaw |
| Children | Adopted daughter Genesis Tennon; also stepmother to two of her husband’s children | Daughter Annie Starke, born in 1988 |
| Education | Graduated from Rhode Island College in 1988 with a theatre degree; trained at the Juilliard School | Graduated from the College of William & Mary in 1974, studying theatre and anthropology |
| Early Career | Developed her acting skills through school theatre and stage productions before moving into film and television | Began in theatre and performed with the musical group Up with People before establishing her acting career |
| Acting Career | Known for performances across stage, television and film, including major dramatic roles | Known for a career spanning theatre, television and cinema oveedu several decades |
| Breakthrough Roles | Doubt (2008) and The Help (2011) brought her broader film recognition | The World According to Garp (1982) and The Big Chill (1983) helped establish her film career |
| Major Film Roles | Fences, The Help, Widows, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and The Woman King | Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons, The Big Chill, Albert Nobbs and The Wife |
| Television Work | Starred as Annalise Keating in How to Get Away with Murder | Starred as Patty Hewes in Damages |
| Awards and Recognition | Won an Academy Award for Fences, along with Emmy, Tony and Grammy Awards | Won three Primetime Emmy Awards, three Tony Awards and three Golden Globe Awards; received eight Academy Award nominations |
| Major Achievement | Achieved EGOT status by winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award | Recognised for award-winning performances on stage and screen, including three Tony Awards |
| Hobbies and Interests | Specific personal hobbies are not consistently documented; writing and storytelling are important parts of her public work | Personal hobbies are not consistently documented; theatre, music and the arts have featured in her career |
| @violadavis | @glennclose | |
| Production Work | Co-founded JuVee Productions with husband Julius Tennon | Founded Trillium Productions and has worked as a producer on film and television projects |
| Writing and Publishing | Published the memoir Finding Me in 2022 and children’s book Corduroy Takes a Bow | Known primarily for acting and producing rather than book publishing |
| Humanitarian Work | Supports initiatives involving education, children’s welfare and social equality | Co-founded Bring Change to Mind, an organisation focused on mental health awareness |
| Family Background | Grew up in a financially challenging environment in Rhode Island after being born in South Carolina | Grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, and spent parts of her childhood abroad because of her father’s medical work |
| Career Style | Known for emotionally intense performances and portrayals of complex characters | Known for commanding performances, psychological dramas and sophisticated character roles |
| International Recognition | A prominent actress recognised across film, television and theatre | An internationally respected actress with a long record of acclaimed stage and screen performances |
| Overall Legacy | An award-winning performer whose career spans acting, producing, writing and advocacy | A veteran actress celebrated for her versatility, longevity and contributions to theatre, film and television |
Viola Davis and Glenn Close Images
