Awards
Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role 2017
Fences
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series 2015
How to Get Away with Murder
Audie Award for Audiobook of the Year 2023
Finding Me: A Memoir
Grammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording 2023
Finding Me
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role 2021, 2012
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, The Help
Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award 2025
Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture 2012
The Help
Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture 2017
Fences
BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role 2017
Fences
Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role 2017
Fences
Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play 2010
Fences
Gotham Independent Film Tribute Award 2021
BET Award for Best Actress 2012
The Help, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series 2016, 2015
How to Get Away with Murder
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture 2023, 2021, 2013, ...
The Woman King, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Won't Back Down, ...
Obie Award for Performance 2004, 1999
Intimate Apparel, Everybody's Ruby
Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress 2012
The Help
NAACP Image Award – Chairman's Award 2026
Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play 2001
King Hedley II
Critic's Choice SeeHer Award 2016
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series 2021, 2015
How to Get Away with Murder
Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Acting Ensemble 2012
The Help
Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actress 2016
Fences
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture 2017
Fences
National Board of Review Award for Best Cast 2011, 2008
The Help, Doubt
Satellite Award for Best Ensemble: Motion Picture 2011
The Help
People's Choice Award for Favorite Actress in a New TV Series 2015
How to Get Away with Murder
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play 2010, 2001
Fences, King Hedley II
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play 2004
Intimate Apparel
Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play 2010, 2001
Fences, King Hedley II
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Nonfiction 2023
Finding Me: A Memoir
Glamour Award for Film Actress 2012
Satellite Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture 2011
The Help
Outer Critics Circle Special Award 1996
Seven Guitars
American Society of Cinematographers Board of the Governors Award 2023
Audie Award for Narration by the Author(s) 2023
Finding Me: A Memoir
Glamour Award for The Icon 2018
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Ensemble 2008
Doubt
New York Drama Critics' Circle Special Citation 2010
