See Viola Davis' Most Adorable Photos with Her 14-Year-Old Daughter Genesis

Mar. 15, 2025

Viola Davis, Genesis Tennon, Julius Tennon.Photo:Viola Davis/Instagram

Viola Davis/Instagram

Viola Davis' daughterGenesisis growing up fast!The EGOT winner shares her only child, born on July 10, 2010, with her husband of over two decadesJulius Tennon. Over the years, theFencesactress has shown plenty of love to her daughter on social media. Ahead of her14th birthdaylast year, Davis posted a sweet photo of the mother-daughter duo onInstagramwith the caption, “Love her soooo much.“She’s also given Genesis, an aspiring actress, pieces of wisdom that she’s collected over her decades in the entertainment industry.Speaking to PEOPLEfor the magazine’s 50th anniversary, Davis said, “What I tell my daughter right now is, ‘Genesis, you are the love of your life.'“TheFencesactress continued, “You have to start right now to have a radical love affair with yourself, to be in touch with your inner voice, what you like, what you don’t like, what’s crossing the boundaries, and you honor that. And through that, that is the seed where everything grows.“As theHow to Get Away with Murderstar prepares to accept the Cecil B. DeMille Award for her contributions to the entertainment industry, take a look at her most adorable family photos with Genesis!

Viola Davis’ daughterGenesisis growing up fast!

The EGOT winner shares her only child, born on July 10, 2010, with her husband of over two decadesJulius Tennon. Over the years, theFencesactress has shown plenty of love to her daughter on social media. Ahead of her14th birthdaylast year, Davis posted a sweet photo of the mother-daughter duo onInstagramwith the caption, “Love her soooo much.”

She’s also given Genesis, an aspiring actress, pieces of wisdom that she’s collected over her decades in the entertainment industry.Speaking to PEOPLEfor the magazine’s 50th anniversary, Davis said, “What I tell my daughter right now is, ‘Genesis, you are the love of your life.'”

TheFencesactress continued, “You have to start right now to have a radical love affair with yourself, to be in touch with your inner voice, what you like, what you don’t like, what’s crossing the boundaries, and you honor that. And through that, that is the seed where everything grows.”

As theHow to Get Away with Murderstar prepares to accept the Cecil B. DeMille Award for her contributions to the entertainment industry, take a look at her most adorable family photos with Genesis!

01of 30Three’s CompanyViola Davis/InstagramDavis and husband Julius Tennonwelcomed their daughter, Genesis, into their family through adoption back in 2011.

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Three’s Company

Davis and husband Julius Tennonwelcomed their daughter, Genesis, into their family through adoption back in 2011.

02of 30Party HardViola Davis/InstagramGenesis is featured in one of Davis’ first Instagram posts from August 2015. In a pair of photos, Genesis helps her mom ring in her 50th birthday."‘Mommy is a part of the 5-0 club and she’s fabulous!!'-Genesis,” Daviscaptioned a sweet photoof her daughter blowing into a birthday noisemaker.

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Party Hard

Genesis is featured in one of Davis’ first Instagram posts from August 2015. In a pair of photos, Genesis helps her mom ring in her 50th birthday.

“‘Mommy is a part of the 5-0 club and she’s fabulous!!'-Genesis,” Daviscaptioned a sweet photoof her daughter blowing into a birthday noisemaker.

03of 30So ThankfulViola Davis/InstagramIn honor of Thanksgiving 2015, Davis shared a throwback photo with her husband, Julian Tennon and Genesis. Shewrote alongside the family photo, “I am thankful for love and life. That’s all and that is enough.”

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So Thankful

In honor of Thanksgiving 2015, Davis shared a throwback photo with her husband, Julian Tennon and Genesis. Shewrote alongside the family photo, “I am thankful for love and life. That’s all and that is enough.”

04of 30Red Carpet ShineTommaso Boddi/GettyGenesis proved that a smile is all it takes to rule the red carpet when she attended an event in March 2015.

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Red Carpet Shine

Tommaso Boddi/Getty

Genesis proved that a smile is all it takes to rule the red carpet when she attended an event in March 2015.

05of 30Mom’s Best Red Carpet DateAxelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagicIn March 2015, Genesis hit the red carpet with her mom at the premiere ofHOME.

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Mom’s Best Red Carpet Date

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

In March 2015, Genesis hit the red carpet with her mom at the premiere ofHOME.

06of 30Watching Mom Make HistoryViola Davis/InstagramHow many of us can say that our moms made history? Davis did just that when shewon the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actressin 2017, becoming the first Black woman to win an Oscar, Primetime Emmy and Tony.After her big moment, Davis posted a photo with her daughter and husband with balloons that read, “GO VIOLA.““My family. Thank you everyone for your love and support,” Davis captioned the photo.

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Watching Mom Make History

How many of us can say that our moms made history? Davis did just that when shewon the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actressin 2017, becoming the first Black woman to win an Oscar, Primetime Emmy and Tony.

After her big moment, Davis posted a photo with her daughter and husband with balloons that read, “GO VIOLA.”

“My family. Thank you everyone for your love and support,” Davis captioned the photo.

07of 30Two of a KindEarl Gibson III/GettyLike mother, like daughter! The pair got all dolled up and attended the 11th Annual Just Like My Child Foundation Gala in November 2017.

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Two of a Kind

Earl Gibson III/Getty

Like mother, like daughter! The pair got all dolled up and attended the 11th Annual Just Like My Child Foundation Gala in November 2017.

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Sweet Support

Albert L. Ortega/Getty

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Lots of Love

10of 30Ready, Set, Go!Viola Davis/InstagramGenesis got to see her mom in action when she visited her on the set ofHow to Get Away with Murderin August 2017.

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Ready, Set, Go!

Genesis got to see her mom in action when she visited her on the set ofHow to Get Away with Murderin August 2017.

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On Their Way

12of 30Throwback CutenessViola Davis/InstagramDavisshared this throwbackwith her daughter in January 2018.

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Throwback Cuteness

Davisshared this throwbackwith her daughter in January 2018.

13of 30Funny FacesViola Davis/InstagramA family who makes funny faces together, stays together! Davis wrote of her husband and daughter in June 2018, “Met you with bad credit and skepticism about love. Found you and it all fell away.”

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Funny Faces

A family who makes funny faces together, stays together! Davis wrote of her husband and daughter in June 2018, “Met you with bad credit and skepticism about love. Found you and it all fell away.”

14of 30Family PhotosViola Davis/Instagram"Happy Holidays from my family to yours,” Daviscaptioned a photoposted on Christmas 2018 of the family of three.

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Family Photos

“Happy Holidays from my family to yours,” Daviscaptioned a photoposted on Christmas 2018 of the family of three.

15of 30Happy FamilyViola Davis/InstagramIn January 2019, Genesissaw her parents offas they headed to the Critics Choice Awards.

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Happy Family

In January 2019, Genesissaw her parents offas they headed to the Critics Choice Awards.

16of 30Valentine’s LoveViola Davis/InstagramThe trio celebrated Valentine’s Day together in 2019, with Daviscaptioning a family photo, “In all life’s ups and downs…. Even with all the accolades… my greatest treasure are my loves. My heart. My Julius and Genesis! Happy Valentine’s Day ❤️”

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Valentine’s Love

The trio celebrated Valentine’s Day together in 2019, with Daviscaptioning a family photo, “In all life’s ups and downs…. Even with all the accolades… my greatest treasure are my loves. My heart. My Julius and Genesis! Happy Valentine’s Day ❤️”

17of 30All She Ever WantedViola Davis and daughter Genesis in January 2020.Jon Kopaloff/GettyDavistold PEOPLE in 2019that her love for Genesis “surpasses anything that I could want from the material world.”

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All She Ever Wanted

Viola Davis and daughter Genesis in January 2020.Jon Kopaloff/Getty

Davistold PEOPLE in 2019that her love for Genesis “surpasses anything that I could want from the material world.”

18of 30’My Real Legacy’Viola Davis/InstagramIn March 2020, amid the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Davispenned a heartfelt captionhonoring her “relishing [her] true blessings” and sharing a throwback photo with Genesis at the beach.She wrote, “Besides hand sanitizers, avoiding crowds, electrolytes, Tylenol, gassing up, etc… THIS is my #Coronavirus weapon. I’m relishing my true blessings. My real legacy. This time is a reminder that all we have is NOW. Imagine the 46 million or more people in this country who live on or below the poverty line. Think of those who can’t drive or walk or who don’t have a loved one who has their back. Praying for EVERYONE’s health but also hoping this is a wake up call to realize what has true value❤”

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‘My Real Legacy’

In March 2020, amid the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Davispenned a heartfelt captionhonoring her “relishing [her] true blessings” and sharing a throwback photo with Genesis at the beach.

She wrote, “Besides hand sanitizers, avoiding crowds, electrolytes, Tylenol, gassing up, etc… THIS is my #Coronavirus weapon. I’m relishing my true blessings. My real legacy. This time is a reminder that all we have is NOW. Imagine the 46 million or more people in this country who live on or below the poverty line. Think of those who can’t drive or walk or who don’t have a loved one who has their back. Praying for EVERYONE’s health but also hoping this is a wake up call to realize what has true value❤”

19of 30Surrounded By LoveViola Davis/ instagram"I empower her to understand that she has to count it all as joy. Even her mistakes, her failures, her triumphs, what she looks like, all of it. That’s all a part of her loving herself, even if none of those things change,” Davis told PEOPLE.

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Surrounded By Love

Viola Davis/ instagram

“I empower her to understand that she has to count it all as joy. Even her mistakes, her failures, her triumphs, what she looks like, all of it. That’s all a part of her loving herself, even if none of those things change,” Davis told PEOPLE.

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The Big 1-0!

Amanda Edwards/WireImage

21of 30Model ChildViola Davis, daughter Genesis.Shamar BenoitThe mother-daughter duorocked some Ivy Park outfits— courtesy of none other than Beyoncé, of course — and looked impeccably cool while doing it.“Thank you @Beyonce!! Genesis and I love @WeAreIvyPark’s new #IcyPark collection!!! 😍🔥 #AvailableNow #IVYPARK #Adidas,” Davis captioned the post.

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Model Child

Viola Davis, daughter Genesis.Shamar Benoit

The mother-daughter duorocked some Ivy Park outfits— courtesy of none other than Beyoncé, of course — and looked impeccably cool while doing it.

“Thank you @Beyonce!! Genesis and I love @WeAreIvyPark’s new #IcyPark collection!!! 😍🔥 #AvailableNow #IVYPARK #Adidas,” Davis captioned the post.

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Birthday Beauty

Viola Davis Instagram

Mom and Dad (and Grandma!) celebrated Gensis’ 11th with an epic cake and balloon combo at The Sugar Factory in Los Angeles in July 2021.

23of 30Whole HeartViola Davis/InstagramThe actress shared several never-before-seen photos of her daughter onInstagramin July 2022 in honor of Genesis' 12th birthday.“Happy birthday to my HEART!!!! My LOVE!!!!!! MY EVERYTHING!!!! My G!! Happy 12th birthday!!!! I love you beyond anything I could imagine ❤❤❤❤,“Davis captionedthe touching birthday tribute.

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Whole Heart

The actress shared several never-before-seen photos of her daughter onInstagramin July 2022 in honor of Genesis' 12th birthday.

“Happy birthday to my HEART!!!! My LOVE!!!!!! MY EVERYTHING!!!! My G!! Happy 12th birthday!!!! I love you beyond anything I could imagine ❤❤❤❤,“Davis captionedthe touching birthday tribute.

24of 30Movie NightGenesis Tennon, Viola Davis and Julius Tennon.Matt Winkelmeyer/GettyGenesis and Julius accompanied Davis hand-in-hand to the premiere of her filmThe Woman Kingat the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022.

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Movie Night

Genesis Tennon, Viola Davis and Julius Tennon.Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Genesis and Julius accompanied Davis hand-in-hand to the premiere of her filmThe Woman Kingat the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022.

25of 30Family DinnerJulius Tennon, Genesis Tennon and Viola Davis.Robin L Marshall/GettyLater that year, they stepped out again for a dinner honoring Davis and presenting her with the William O. Douglas Award.

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Family Dinner

Julius Tennon, Genesis Tennon and Viola Davis.Robin L Marshall/Getty

Later that year, they stepped out again for a dinner honoring Davis and presenting her with the William O. Douglas Award.

26of 30Happiest Place on EarthViola Davis and Genesis Tennon.Viola Davis/InstagramAhead of Genesis' 13th birthday, Davis shared one of her favorite photos of"me and my G"at Disneyland.

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Happiest Place on Earth

Viola Davis and Genesis Tennon.Viola Davis/Instagram

Ahead of Genesis' 13th birthday, Davis shared one of her favorite photos of"me and my G"at Disneyland.

27of 30Fashion ForwardJulius Tennon, Genesis Tennon and Viola Davis.Marc Piasecki/WireImageDuring L’Oréal’s Paris Fashion Week show in October 2023, the family of three made a stylish appearance to walk the runway.

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Fashion Forward

Julius Tennon, Genesis Tennon and Viola Davis.Marc Piasecki/WireImage

Marc Piasecki/WireImage

During L’Oréal’s Paris Fashion Week show in October 2023, the family of three made a stylish appearance to walk the runway.

28of 30Formal FunctionJulius Tennon, Genesis Tennon and Viola Davis.Leon Bennett/GettyDavis, Julius and Genesis got all dressed up in their best black tie attire for a gala in December 2023.

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Formal Function

Julius Tennon, Genesis Tennon and Viola Davis.Leon Bennett/Getty

Leon Bennett/Getty

Davis, Julius and Genesis got all dressed up in their best black tie attire for a gala in December 2023.

29of 30Shoulder to Lean OnViola Davis, Genesis Tennon and Julius Tennon.Viola Davis/Instagram"A perfect Mothers Day with my loves,” Davis wrote under a family photo in May 2024.

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Shoulder to Lean On

Viola Davis, Genesis Tennon and Julius Tennon.Viola Davis/Instagram

“A perfect Mothers Day with my loves,” Davis wrote under a family photo in May 2024.

30of 30Fabulous 14Viola Davis and Genesis Tennon.Viola Davis/InstagramDavis shared a rare photo of her “soon to be 14-year-old” daughter ahead of her birthday onInstagramin July 2024.

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Fabulous 14

Davis shared a rare photo of her “soon to be 14-year-old” daughter ahead of her birthday onInstagramin July 2024.

source: people.com