Candid Facts About Viola Davis’s Daughter: Genesis Tennon
Credits: The Today Show
With a prolific career spanning film, television, and theater, the award-winning actress Viola Davis (58 years old) is a household name in Hollywood. However, when the spotlight fades, there’s one role that she treasures above all – motherhood.
In this article, we unravel essential facts about Viola Davis’s daughter, setting the record straight on existing queries and shedding light on her family life beyond the screens.
Meet Genesis Tennon: Viola Davis’s Daughter
Viola has a lovely daughter named Genesis Tennon. Some fans have wondered if Genesis is Viola’s biological child, but she isn’t. Viola Davis and her husband, Julius Tennon, adopted Genesis in October 2011. They had been married for eight years at the time.
Genesis came into the world on July 10, 2010, and was lovingly adopted by Viola and Julius in October 2011. Davis first announced her intentions to adopt during the premiere of her film, The Help that same year.
At the ELLE Women in Hollywood event in October, Octavia Spencer, a dear friend and colleague of Davis, revealed that Davis had just become a mother “about two days ago.” Davis confirmed the reports shortly after, revealing that she and her husband had taken home a newborn girl named Genesis just days prior.
In December 2020, Davis shared that Genesis, then 10 years old, aspired to follow in her mother’s acting footsteps. Davis also jokingly recalled telling her that she needs to also remember to attend school and, eventually, learn to live independently and manage her own finances.
At a young age, Genesis turned these dreams into reality as she started her acting career with a role in The Angry Birds Movie 2 in 2019, providing the voice for the character Vivi. Similarly, Gal Gadot’s daughter, Alma Versano, and Nicole Kidman’s daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith, also played roles in the same vein.
The Love Story of Viola Davis and Julius Tennon
Viola Davis remains happily married to her longtime partner, Julius Tennon (69 years old). The couple got married in 2003 and has been a notable example of enduring love in Hollywood.
Given their shared adoration for their daughter and mutual respect for each other’s craft and career, they have built a harmonious family life.
Viola Davis’ Parents
Born in South Carolina, Viola Davis was raised by her parents, Dan and Mary Alice Davis, who were both horse trainers. Despite experiencing a challenging early life marked by poverty, Viola’s perseverance and determination eventually led to her spectacular success as an actress.
Viola Davis’s Siblings
Viola Davis was born on August 11, 1965, in St. Matthews, South Carolina, United States. She was the second youngest child in her family, having four sisters and one brother.
Viola spent her childhood in a one-room apartment in Central Falls, Rhode Island, having moved there when she was just two months old. Living in challenging circumstances, her family often faced poverty and hunger. Her father earned a living grooming horses, while her mother worked as a housekeeper and factory worker.
Viola Davis has three elder sisters – Deloris Davis Grant, Dianne Davis-Wright, and Anita Davis, and a younger sister, Danielle Davis. The identity of her brother is unknown.
Deloris, who is an English and drama teacher at Central Falls High School, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, a Master of Arts degree, and a Teaching degree from RIC and has also been awarded an honorary doctorate in education. Her birthday falls on September 27. Dianne Davis-Wright, born on July 17th, works as an analyst in the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is married to Arthur Wright Jr.
Viola’s sister, Anita, lives a life away from the public eye, and there is scant information regarding her. Meanwhile, Danielle Davis is the youngest in the Davis family. However, Viola often keeps the particulars of her siblings out of her public discussion and interviews, and hence, their personal lives remain mostly undisclosed.
Davis often credits her humble beginnings and her parents’ challenging life as the foundational experience that shaped her conviction and passion for acting.
Finding Me: Viola Davis’s Memoir
The esteemed actress Viola Davis, known as much for her compelling screen presence as her nurturing role as a mother, continues to inspire many with her life story. To delve deeper into her groundbreaking journey, her memoir “Finding me” awaits on Blinkist.
A beautifully woven tale of unyielding determination, a celebration of difference, and an honest exploration of identity, the memoir offers an intimate look into Viola’s life and ethos.
Finding Me
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
Remember, Blinkist offers a free 7-day trial that allows you to enjoy this riveting memoir, along with countless other influential titles across diverse genres. It’s a treasure trove for book lovers, waiting to be discovered.
Start your free 7-day trial
Robyn is a writer, editor, and curator at Blinkist — and owner of the office’s heartiest laugh. She studied Linguistics, along with Japanese Literature and Film Studies in Berlin, Tokyo, and Oxford. She is obsessed with the color combo of mustard & teal. One fine day, she plans to retire to Sri Lanka.\nRobyn’s favorite read is \nHunger\n by Roxane Gay.
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