Viola Davis now the most-nominated Black actress in Oscars history David Lee/Netflix(LOS ANGELES) — Viola Davis made history Monday morning when the 2021 Oscar nominations were announced: The actress received a best actress nomination for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which marked her fourth Oscar nod. With her 2021 nod for playing Ma Rainey in the George C. Wolfe-directed drama, Davis is now the most-nominated Black actress in Academy Award history. Davis was previously tied with Octavia Spencer, who has three Academy Award nominations to her name. Davis’ other Oscar nominations include best supporting actress for Doubt, best actress for Fences, the latter of which she won in 2017.