Viola Davis: Potential key firsts and a big second this Oscar season

Viola Davis is a sure bet for a lead actress Oscar nomination for her performance in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.� The nomination itself would break ground, and a win would mark an important first, as well as a highly significant second.

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This would be Davis’ fourth nomination, after her supporting Oscar for “Fences� (2016), supporting
nomination for “Doubt� (2008) and lead nomination for “The Help� (2011). She would be the most nominated Black actress in Oscar history.

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Were Davis to win, she would become the first Black actress with multiple Oscars.

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A Davis victory also would mark only the second time a Black woman won a lead Oscar, after Halle Berry’s win for “Monster’s Ball� in 2002.

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Academy Awards ceremonies occurred before Berry won her Oscar.

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Ceremonies have happened since Berry won.