The 2004 movie role that saved Kerry Washington from early retirement: “I think I’m done acting”
Kerry Washington says the 2004 film *Ray*, in which she played Ray Charles’s wife, Della Bea Robinson, persuaded her to keep acting when she was considering leaving the profession. The role came after a run of disappointing projects and limited opportunities, and helped raise her profile in Hollywood.
Washington had put down a deposit for yoga teacher training before choosing *Ray* instead, saying she lost the money because she wanted to make the film. Jamie Foxx starred as Charles and won the Best Actor Oscar; although Washington received little awards attention for her performance, the film helped lead to stronger roles and, later, *Scandal*.
In short
- *Ray* helped Washington decide to continue acting.
- She had considered retraining as a yoga teacher.
- The role helped raise her profile before *Scandal*.
Explained simply
Kerry Washington is an American actor who began working in film and television in the 1990s. Early in her career, she had a series of roles that did not bring the opportunities or recognition she had hoped for, and she considered leaving acting to train as a yoga teacher.
Ray is a 2004 biographical film about musician Ray Charles. Jamie Foxx played Charles, and Washington played his wife, Della Bea Robinson. The film raised Washington’s profile and was followed by more prominent roles, including the television series Scandal.