This is the first Academy Award Oscar nomination for Viola Davis.

When Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep) suspects that Father Flynn may be taking an excessive interest in the school's first African-American student, she responds with a headstrong determination that is either a necessary defense of an abused boy or a heedless condemnation of an innocent man.

Viola Davis plays Mrs. Miller, an African-American woman who learns from Sister Aloysius that her son may be the victim of abuse by a priest at his school.

As Mrs. Miller, Viola Davis appears in "Doubt" for only one scene.

However, the extensive scene opposite Meryl Streep's suspicious Sister Aloysius is memorable for both its drama and its subtlety.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis made an indelible impression on the screen with her heart-wrenching performance in Denzel Washington’s Antwone Fisher, which earned her an Independent Spirit Award nomination.

Immediately upon wrapping production on Doubt, Davis began production on State of Play, with Russell Crowe and Rachael McAdams. The film, directed by Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland), will be released in April 2009. Davis had a supporting role in the thriller Disturbia starring Shia LeBeouf for director D.J. Caruso. Additional film credits include Far From Heaven with Dennis Quaid and Julianne Moore, and Solaris, Traffic and Out of Sight.

In 2001, Davis earned rave reviews for her performance in August Wilson’s “King Hedley II,” directed by Marion McClinton. She went on to win the Tony Award that year for Best Featured Actress.

In 2004, Davis lit up the stage in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production

of Lynn Nottage’s play, “Intimate Apparel,” directed by Tony Award-winning director Daniel Sullivan. She garnered the highest honors for an off-Broadway play, including Best Actress awards from the Drama Desk, the Drama League, the Obie and the Audelco Award. Davis was nominated for the Lucille Lortel Award as well. She reprised her role at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles where she was recognized with the Ovation, Los Angeles Drama Critics and the Garland Awards.

Davis is a graduate of The Juilliard School and holds an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts Degree from her alma mater, Rhode Island College. Davis resides in Los Angeles with her husband, actor Julius Tennon.

2009 Best Supporting Actress Oscar Nominations
81st Academy Awards 2009 Actress in a Supporting Role Oscar Nominations

Amy Adams as Sister James in the movie "Doubt"

Amy Adams plays Sister James, an inexperienced young nun whose unwitting observations regarding a new priest spark suspicions on the part of the older Sister Aloysius.

This is Amy Adams' second Academy Award Oscar nomination. Amy Adams was nominated for her supporting role in the movie "Junebug" (2005).

Penélope Cruz as Maria Elena in the movie "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"

Penélope Cruz portrays the fiery Maria Elena, a divorced woman still locked in a complex relationship with her ex-husband.

This is the second Academy Award Oscar nomination for Penélope Cruz. Penélope Cruz was previously nominated for her leading role in the movie "Volver" (2006).

Taraji P. Henson as Queenie in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Taraji P. Henson plays Queenie, the woman who acts as nursemaid to Benjamin Button, a man who is aging backwards and has been born with the body of an old man.

This is the first Academy Award Oscar nomination for Taraji P. Henson.

Marisa Tomei as Cassidy in "The Wrestler"

As Cassidy, Marisa Tomei portrays a middle-aged stripper entering into a tentative relationship with a down-on-his-luck professional wrestler.

This is the 3rd Academy Award Oscar nomination for Marisa Tomei. Previous nominations for Marissa Tomei were My Cousin Vinny (1992), for which she won the Oscar, and In the Bedroom (2001).