Viola Davis’s husband is Julius Tennon, an accomplished actor and producer who has been her partner in life and business since they married in 2003. The couple met in 1999 on the set of the CBS series City of Angels and have built a remarkable partnership that spans over two decades.
Julius Tennon was born in Austin, Texas, and attended the University of Tulsa on a full football scholarship. He became the first African American to graduate from the university’s theatre department, transitioning from athletics to acting after knee injuries ended his football aspirations. His acting career has spanned more than thirty years, with notable roles in films like Dazed and Confused, Friday Night Lights, and Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.
The story of how Viola Davis and Julius Tennon met is almost serendipitous. Davis has shared that she prayed for a husband, specifying she wanted a big Black man from the South who looked like a football player and who already had children. Less than a month later, she met Tennon on the set of City of Angels. She recalled thinking he was good-looking when they first crossed paths.
Tennon gave Davis his card on set, and she waited about six weeks to call him due to personal issues she was working through at the time. Their first date took place at Crocodile Cafe in Santa Monica, and Tennon offered to take her to see the Santa Monica Pier. The couple dated for four years before tying the knot.
Viola Davis and Julius Tennon were married on June 23, 2003, in a small ceremony with about fifteen people in their condo. They held a second celebration three months later in Rhode Island with roughly one hundred guests. The couple renewed their vows on Valentine’s Day in 2016 at Hotel Casa del Mar in Santa Monica, with guests including Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, and Davis’s How to Get Away with Murder co-star Alfred Enoch. Davis shared a photo from the occasion with the caption, “We are most alive when we’re in love.”
In 2011, Davis and Tennon adopted their daughter Genesis, who was born on July 10, 2010. They announced the adoption at the premiere of The Help. Genesis has already followed her parents into entertainment, voicing a character in The Angry Birds Movie 2 and appearing with them on the YouTube talk show Hot Ones. Tennon also has two older children from a previous relationship with ex-wife Sheryl Arnold.Quick Bio: Julius Tennon
Beyond their personal life, Viola Davis and Julius Tennon are professional partners. They co-founded JuVee Productions in 2011, a company dedicated to producing narratives from diverse voices. Through JuVee, they have produced films including The Woman King, which starred Davis, as well as G20 and the Showtime series The First Lady. Davis has also starred in the action thriller G20, which the couple produced together. They are set to executive produce the upcoming Paramount+ thriller series Ascent, starring Davis, under their JuVee banner.
In July 2026, JuVee Productions signed a first-look deal with Universal Global Television. Their first project under the deal is Pawn, a romantic drama series based on a short story by Kennedy Ryan, with Chantelle M. Wells attached as writer. The couple issued a statement expressing their excitement about bringing empowering voices to the screen through this partnership.
The couple’s approach to their marriage is grounded in mutual respect rather than rigid rules. At the premiere of G20, Tennon explained that they don’t follow any specific rules because they have so much respect for each other and share the same synergy. Davis added that their connection flows naturally. She has credited their shared faith and daily rituals, like taking morning and evening jacuzzi soaks together, for keeping their relationship strong.
Davis emphasizes the importance of the everyday moments in their marriage. She has described how taking out the garbage, cooking, and cleaning are what truly sustain a relationship. The couple has shared humorous anecdotes about their life together, including a memorable story about Tennon vacuuming at 6 a.m. early in their relationship. Davis famously told him to put the vacuum away, and he has since learned to adjust his cleaning habits.
The couple has also worked together on screen. Tennon guest-starred on Davis’s hit show How to Get Away with Murder in season four. They filmed an intimate scene together, and Davis recalled forgetting to reset her undergarments between takes, forcing her husband to remind her on set. The experience highlighted the trust and comfort they share as both romantic partners and professional collaborators.
When Viola Davis received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017, she thanked her handsome husband and beautiful daughter during her speech. Tennon has been a constant source of support throughout her career, which includes an EGOT achievement (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards). He has described their marriage as flowing naturally due to their shared respect and synergy.
In 2025, the pair appeared together on Hot Ones, where they discussed everything from household chores to their partnership. Davis jokingly called Tennon a pain when it comes to cleaning but acknowledged that his efforts keep their home tidy. The couple’s playful banter and mutual affection were on full display, reflecting the deep bond they have cultivated over the years.
Julius Tennon is far more than just Viola Davis’s husband. He is a respected actor, a successful producer, and an equal partner in both marriage and business. Their relationship, built on faith, mutual respect, and shared purpose, has endured for over two decades. Together, they have built a family and a production company that continues to champion diverse storytelling in Hollywood.1. Who is Viola Davis’s husband?
Viola Davis’s husband is Julius Tennon, an accomplished actor and producer. The couple met on the set of the CBS drama City of Angels in 1999 and married on June 23, 2003 . They are also business partners, having co-founded the production company JuVee Productions in 2011 .
2. How did Viola Davis and Julius Tennon meet?
They met on the set of the CBS medical drama City of Angels in 1999 . Davis, who was new to Los Angeles at the time, recalled thinking Tennon was good-looking when they first crossed paths . Davis waited about six weeks to call him after their initial meeting, as she was working through personal issues like anxiety about driving and bad credit .
3. Does Viola Davis have children with Julius Tennon?
Yes, Viola Davis and Julius Tennon adopted a daughter named Genesis in 2011 . Genesis was born on July 10, 2010 , and has already followed her parents into entertainment, voicing a character in The Angry Birds Movie 2 . Tennon also has two older children from a previous relationship .
4. What is JuVee Productions?
JuVee Productions is the production company Viola Davis and Julius Tennon co-founded in 2011 . Davis serves as CEO, while Tennon is president of development and production . The company has produced films including The Woman King and G20, as well as the Showtime series The First Lady . In July 2026, the company signed a first-look deal with Universal Global Television .
5. How long have Viola Davis and Julius Tennon been married?
Viola Davis and Julius Tennon have been married since June 23, 2003, marking over two decades together . The couple renewed their vows on Valentine’s Day in 2016 . They first met in 1999 and dated for four years before getting married .
