I did a small survey on twitter in which I asked the blerd universe who their favorite actor and actress are for the purpose of short actor profiles for this blog. I wanted to take some of the most loved actors to spotlight their careers and offer up what my favorite movie/roles from their filmology (most likely from the often neglected independent film world). A number of people responded (I'm always up to hearing your opinions!) and one of the names that kept coming up was the beautiful and talented Kerry Washington (cue women fervently trying to find where to get the latest Olivia Pope coat... or dress... or power suit):

A New Yorker born and bred (hailing from the Boogie Down Bronx), Kerry Washington has been acting she she was a teenager, starting off in television before breaking into films. Washington is a graduate of George Washington University and holds a double degree in anthropology and sociology, which probably fuels her political and social activism in organizations such as the Creative Coalition.

I have to admit to having a girl crush on KW; her style and poise is something to be admired. In terms of her acting, I have only seen her grow and grow and get better and better through the years. Recently, America seems to have caught her, and she’s having her moment. Here’s to all the great things to come for her and to the obviously fab child she's about to bring into the world! I offer to you a retrospective on some of her defining moments in TV and films:

She is most recognizable from...
...fixing every problem in DC while looking flawless on ABC’s bat-crazy show Scandal. The show has it all - primetime soapiness, political backstabbing, sexy love triangles, tortured assassins, murdering presidents. And thanks to the myriad of fans (especially us blerds!) in the twitterverse (#AskScandal), Scandal has become ABC’s breakout hit. In the middle of it all stands Kerry Washington, delivering every gladiator monologue with perfect diction, speed, and emphasis.

You may remember her from...
…playing Ray Charles’ wife, Della Bea Robinson and Idi Amin’s wife Kay in the critically-acclaimed and Oscar-winning films Ray (2004) and The Last King of Scotland (2006), the temptress to Chris Rock’s family man in the Rock-directed romantic-comedy I Think I Love My Wife (2007), and of course as Broomhilda, the heroine in Quentin Tarantino’s slavery-western film Django Unchained (2012).

And you probably forgot she was in...
…the last two Fantastic Four comic book movies (2005 & 2007) as the sweet, blind girlfriend of The Thing, Alicia Masters, Save the Last Dance (2001) as a teenage mother who introduces Julia Stiles to hip hop dance, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005) as the badass, cliff-scaling, computer whiz confidante of Angelina Jolie.

She's at her best in small independent films...
…as one of the last to act opposite the late Brittany Murphy as her roommate and implied girlfriend in the Independent Spirit Award-nominated dramatic film (and one of my personal favorites) The Dead Girl (2007) and as a woman embroiled with the violence of the Black Panthers in the drama Night Catches Us (2010).

In my opinion, she exceeded my expectations...
...hosting the latest episode of SNL where she was an active participant in poking fun at the lack of diversity that plagues the show, showcasing her acting range with multiple voices and impersonations, and exercising the comic chops we all know she had.

If you haven't had a chance to see KW in action, watch her SNL hosting debut below:

Talkback (What some of my fellow blerds had to say about why they love Kerry Washington)...

Traci (@_ R _ Traci _ Hunter_ ): I have been captivated by KW since Save the Last Dance. She is such an inspiration. I always am enamored when I see her on the screen. I can’t take my eyes off of her. No matter what role she is playing.

I love that KW is such a risk taker. To me she seems to have been one of Hollywood’s most underrated actresses. I appreciate that she has taken on the challenges of roles of a prostitute/drug addict like in The Dead Girl, and a transgender male in Life is Hot in Cracktown, or the former Black Panther in Night Catches US. She totally takes roles that are outside of the box and proves that she is a force to be reckoned with! Don’t blink on KW. You might miss something amazing! I think that she has so much star power and she is showing others how it can and should be done in the business. KW proves that she has more than enough staying power and is breaking down racial/gender barriers in the business. As a black woman this gives me great hope and inspiration to really go after my dreams and passions. I now feel that it is possible even though I’m getting a later start than most. I feel a connection with KW when I see her on the screen. The characters that she portrays totally touch my heart.

I am totally obsessed with ABC’s Scandal. Like many others all over the world, I can’t get enough of Olivia Pope. She is strong, smart, charming, beautiful and takes no mess. However she is not without flaws. I don’t think they could have picked a better person to play this role. I think the show would have been as successful as it is without her! I’m so glad that KW gives us all something to aspire too! Thank you so much for being more than amazing!

--> Previous Actor-ology: Idris Elba

Who are your favorite actor and actress? If anyone wants to give their opinion, tweet (@shalathomas) or email (lifebetweenfilms@gmail.com) me for inclusion in a feature spotlight. Next up will be an actor so tell me your choice!