Viola Davis Creates Record, Becomes Most Nominated Black Actress With Maximum Number of Oscar Nominations Viola Davis is the most nominated black actress in the history of the Oscars. Riz Ahmed Nominated For Oscar's Best Lead Actor Category The best actress Oscar nomination in 2021 of Viola Davis' for performance in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom made her the most nominated Black actress in the history of the Academy Awards. In the year 2017, Viola Davis had won the Oscar in the supporting actress category for her performance in Fences. In 2009 she had been nominated in the same category for her performance in Doubt. She had competed in the category of best actress in the year 2012, for her performance in The Help.