Viola Davis’ career spans decades, with some of her biggest milestones coming later in life. She grew up in “abject poverty,” living in rat infested, condemned buildings and at times eating out of garbage cans and dumpsters. In 2015, she became the first woman of color to win the Emmy for best lead actress in a drama for "How to Get Away With Murder." A year later, she won an Academy Award for "Fences," a role that had already earned her a Tony Award. In 2023, she completed EGOT status with a Grammy for narrating her memoir "Finding Me." She is also a co owner of JuVee Productions, which helped bring "The Woman King" to the screen. She is one of the greatest living self-made Americans on the #Forbes250# list. 📸: Emma McIntyre/WireImage via Getty Images