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2025 NAACP Image Awards: 5 Times Kerry Washington Played a Real-Life Icon on Screen

From Anita Hill to her latest role in ‘The Six Triple Eight,’ celebrate Washington’s nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture by revisiting her most powerful portrayals of real-life figures.

Having made a career portraying complex characters such as attorney Anita Hill —who testified against Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas in a historic case—the veteran star has also taken on the challenge of stepping into the shoes of real-life figures. Washington took on the role of Anita Hill in this HBO film, capturing the courage and resolve of the attorney who testified against Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas during his 1991 confirmation hearings. While Olivia Pope isn’t entirely based on a single real-life figure, the character was inspired by Judy Smith, a crisis management expert who worked in the White House.

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