RATINGS: Cast & Crew

DOB: August 11, 1965

Background: Davis was born in South Carolina on her grandmother's farm, but her family moved to Rhode Island when she was two months old. She was involved in the arts at Central Falls High School and majored in theater at Rhode Island College. She graduated in 1988 and received an honorary doctorate in 2002. She also attended Juilliard and the Young People's School for the Performing Arts in Rhode Island.

Filmography: Davis has worked on stage and screen for fifteen years, appearing as a television guest star on "NYPD Blue," "Judging Amy," "Providence," and "The Guardian," and as a member of the regular cast of the short-lived drama series "City of Angels" in 2000. On film she has been featured in supporting roles in "Out of Sight," "Traffic," "Far From Heaven," "Solaris," "Antwone Fisher," and "World Trade Center" before achieving widespread acclaim for her role in the film "Doubt," for which she earned an Oscar nomination. As her film career has taken off, she has continued to work on stage, winning Tony Awards for "King Hedley II" and "Fences," both written by August Wilson. This year she appears in the period drama "The Help," based on the popular novel, and "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close."

Academy Awards:

Best Actress Nomination
"The Help" (2011); lost to Meryl Streep ("The Iron Lady")

Best Supporting Actress Nomination
"Doubt" (2008); lost to Penelope Cruz ("Vicky Christina Barcelona")

Tony Awards: Wins - Best Actress in a Play ("Fences," 2010); Best Featured Actress in a Play ("King Hedley II," 2001)

Best Featured Actress in a Play Nomination
"Seven Guitars" (1996); lost to Audra McDonald ("Master Class")

Golden Globe Awards:

Best Film Drama Actress Nomination
"The Help" (2012); lost to Meryl Streep ("The Iron Lady")

Best Film Supporting Actress Nomination
"Doubt" (2009); lost to Kate Winslet ("The Reader")

SAG Awards: Wins - Best Film Ensemble ("The Help," 2012); Best Film Actress ("The Help," 2012)

Best Film Ensemble Nomination
"Doubt" (2009); lost to "Slumdog Millionaire"

Best Film Supporting Actress Nomination
"Doubt" (2009); lost to Kate Winslet ("The Reader")