| Kerry Washington was born on January 31, 1977, in New York City, New York. Raised by her two working parents in the Bronx, Kerry's upbringing was an active one; when not attending the exclusive all-girls Spence School (which boasts Gwyneth Paltrow and Emmy Rossum among its alumni), Kerry was participating in a host of extracurricular activities (including gymnastics, ballet and acting). It eventually became clear, however, that Kerry's true talent lay in the world of performance, and the aspiring actress soon found herself attending classes and hitting the audition circuit with gusto.In 1994, at the age of 17, Kerry Washington made her professional debut with an appearance on an ABC After School Special entitled Magical Make-Over. She followed that up with a four-year stint at George Washington University where she eventually graduated with a degree in theater. During those years, Kerry honed her chops by appearing in several school plays and local productions, and it became clear to her friends and family that she possessed an undeniable gift for acting. |
