Life in Film: Kerry Washington

In honor of Women's History Month, we look at her career.

Our Song (2000) - There's no denying that Kerry Washington has hit a peak in both her career and her personal life. The Scandal star, who is expecting her first child with husband Nnamdi Asomugha any minute now, is an Emmy and Oscar nominee and one of the most coveted actresses in Hollywood. Here's a look back at how she got here. The Bronx-born actress made her film debut, playing a half-African-American and half Latina teen, in this drama. Our Song followed three high school girls who are members of a community marching band in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The three friends faced various family situations, romantic interests and life dilemmas.(Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

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Our Song (2000) - There's no denying that Kerry Washington has hit a peak in both her career and her personal life. The Scandal star, who is expecting her first child with husband Nnamdi Asomugha any minute now, is an Emmy and Oscar nominee and one of the most coveted actresses in Hollywood. Here's a look back at how she got here. The Bronx-born actress made her film debut, playing a half-African-American and half Latina teen, in this drama. Our Song followed three high school girls who are members of a community marching band in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The three friends faced various family situations, romantic interests and life dilemmas.(Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Save the Last Dance (2001) - In this film about dance and an interracial romance, Kerry Washington starred as Chenille Reynolds, a single teen mom experiencing relationship problems. The film also starred Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Harris.(Photo: Paramount)

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Save the Last Dance (2001) - In this film about dance and an interracial romance, Kerry Washington starred as Chenille Reynolds, a single teen mom experiencing relationship problems. The film also starred Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Harris.(Photo: Paramount)

Bad Company (2002) - Kerry starred opposite Chris Rock in this action-comedy directed by Joel Schumacher. The actress played the impatient girlfriend of Jake Hayes (Rock), who's been recruited by the CIA to complete a dangerous mission.(Photo: Touchstone Pictures)

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Bad Company (2002) - Kerry starred opposite Chris Rock in this action-comedy directed by Joel Schumacher. The actress played the impatient girlfriend of Jake Hayes (Rock), who's been recruited by the CIA to complete a dangerous mission.(Photo: Touchstone Pictures)

She Hate Me (2004) - In this controversial film by Spike Lee, Kerry's star rose as she played a lesbian who paid a former beau (Anthony Mackie) to impregnate her and many of her friends.(Photo: Sony Pictures)

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She Hate Me (2004) - In this controversial film by Spike Lee, Kerry's star rose as she played a lesbian who paid a former beau (Anthony Mackie) to impregnate her and many of her friends.(Photo: Sony Pictures)

Ray (2004) - Hollywood took notice of Kerry Washington when she landed the role of Della Bea Robinson, wife of legendary R&B pioneer Ray Charles, in the critically-hailed biopic Ray. Jamie Foxx, who played the film's lead, won an Oscar for Best Actor.(Photo: Universal Pictures)

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Ray (2004) - Hollywood took notice of Kerry Washington when she landed the role of Della Bea Robinson, wife of legendary R&B pioneer Ray Charles, in the critically-hailed biopic Ray. Jamie Foxx, who played the film's lead, won an Oscar for Best Actor.(Photo: Universal Pictures)

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The Last King of Scotland (2006) - In The Last King of Scotland, Kerry shined as both an actress and a budding sexy starlet when she portrayed Kay Amin, the youngest wife of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.(Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

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The Last King of Scotland (2006) - In The Last King of Scotland, Kerry shined as both an actress and a budding sexy starlet when she portrayed Kay Amin, the youngest wife of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.(Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

I Think I Love My Wife (2007) - For a second time, Kerry played opposite Chris Rock, this time in the romantic-comedy I Think I Love My Wife. In this remake of the 1972 French film Chloe in the Afternoon, she portrayed a sultry acquaintance of Rock who tries to seduce him into a relationship outside his marriage. Kerry's final scene turned her into one Hollywood's sexiest actresses.(Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

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I Think I Love My Wife (2007) - For a second time, Kerry played opposite Chris Rock, this time in the romantic-comedy I Think I Love My Wife. In this remake of the 1972 French film Chloe in the Afternoon, she portrayed a sultry acquaintance of Rock who tries to seduce him into a relationship outside his marriage. Kerry's final scene turned her into one Hollywood's sexiest actresses.(Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Lakeview Terrace, Satuday at 2P/1C - Samuel L. Jackson and Kerry Washington have a mission to solve. Want to see Kerry Washington solve other mysteries? Take a look at her in action on #ScandalBET!(Photo: Sony Pictures)

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Lakeview Terrace (2008) - Kerry tackled race and law enforcement in Lakeview Terrace. In an interracial marriage, Kerry and her Caucasian hubby (Patrick Wilson) duked it out with a hostile neighbor (Samuel L. Jackson), a cop that disapproved of their interracial love.(Photo: Sony Pictures)

Life Is Hot in Cracktown (2009) - In this intense crime drama about a Manhattan neighborhood ravaged by crack cocaine, Kerry starred as Marybeth, a transgender prostitute with a big heart and a desire to be loved.(Photo: Lodestar Entertainment)

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Life Is Hot in Cracktown (2009) - In this intense crime drama about a Manhattan neighborhood ravaged by crack cocaine, Kerry starred as Marybeth, a transgender prostitute with a big heart and a desire to be loved.(Photo: Lodestar Entertainment)

For Colored Girls (2010) - In Tyler Perry's film adaptation of Ntozake Shange's play, For Colored Girls, Kerry portrayed Kelly, a social worker dealing with her own set of family issues.(Photo: Lionsgate)

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For Colored Girls (2010) - In Tyler Perry's film adaptation of Ntozake Shange's play, For Colored Girls, Kerry portrayed Kelly, a social worker dealing with her own set of family issues.(Photo: Lionsgate)

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Night Catches Us (2010) - Director Tanya Hamilton told the story of a former Black Panther accussed of snitching, which led to the death of a fellow Panther. Kerry was cast as the wife of the slain activist, who tried to put her chaotic life back in order.(Photo: Gigantic Pictures)

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Night Catches Us (2010) - Director Tanya Hamilton told the story of a former Black Panther accussed of snitching, which led to the death of a fellow Panther. Kerry was cast as the wife of the slain activist, who tried to put her chaotic life back in order.(Photo: Gigantic Pictures)

Django Unchained (2012) - In Django Unchained, Kerry starred once again with Jamie Foxx. The Oscar-nominated drama was about a slave-turned-bounty hunter (Foxx) who, with the help of his mentor, set out to rescue his wife (Washington) from a brutal plantation owner.(Photo: Columbia Pictures)

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Django Unchained (2012) - In Django Unchained, Kerry starred once again with Jamie Foxx. The Oscar-nominated drama was about a slave-turned-bounty hunter (Foxx) who, with the help of his mentor, set out to rescue his wife (Washington) from a brutal plantation owner.(Photo: Columbia Pictures)

Peeples (2013) - In this outlandish comedy co-starring Craig Robinson, Washington played a member of the "Chocolate Kennedys," an upper class Black family with strong political ties. In the film, Washington endeavored to make her family accept her relationship with her humble husband-to-be (Robinson). (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Peeples (2013) - In this outlandish comedy co-starring Craig Robinson, Washington played a member of the "Chocolate Kennedys," an upper class Black family with strong political ties. In the film, Washington endeavored to make her family accept her relationship with her humble husband-to-be (Robinson). (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Scandal - Venturing on to the small screeen, Kerry plays the lead in this hit ABC drama series. As Olivia Pope, Kerry is a high-powered spin doctor protecting the public image of the D.C. elite, but privately battles her feelings for the President of the United States. Her character is based on former George H.W. Bush administration press aide Judy Smith. Scandal encores exclusively on BET Friday nights at 10P/9C.(Photo: ABC)

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Scandal - Venturing on to the small screeen, Kerry plays the lead in this hit ABC drama series. As Olivia Pope, Kerry is a high-powered spin doctor protecting the public image of the D.C. elite, but privately battles her feelings for the President of the United States. Her character is based on former George H.W. Bush administration press aide Judy Smith. Scandal encores exclusively on BET Friday nights at 10P/9C.(Photo: ABC)