Most Famous Violas in the World
From Hollywood award-winners to pioneering musicians and classic stage stars, the name Viola has been carried by remarkable performers across generations and genres. Below are some of the most notable celebrities named Viola, spanning film, television, music, theatre, and beyond, with quick background highlights, standout roles or songs, and the achievements that made them widely known.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis is an American actress celebrated for powerhouse performances across film, television, and theatre. She earned the rare EGOT distinction with an Academy Award, an Emmy, a Grammy, and multiple Tony Awards. TV audiences know her as Annalise Keating in ‘How to Get Away with Murder’, a role that brought her historic Emmy win. Her film credits include ‘Fences’, ‘The Help’, ‘Widows’, ‘The Woman King’, and entries in the DC franchise like ‘Suicide Squad’. She is also known for advocating greater equity and representation in the entertainment industry.
Viola Wills
Viola Wills was an American pop and disco singer who found international success in the late 1970s and 1980s. She is best known for her hit rendition of ‘Gonna Get Along Without You Now’, which charted across multiple countries. Wills followed with popular covers such as ‘If You Could Read My Mind’ and original dance singles that kept her a club favorite. She toured extensively in Europe and performed on numerous TV programs. Her recordings remain staples on classic disco playlists around the world.
Viola Smith
Viola Smith was a trailblazing American drummer often billed as one of the first prominent female drummers in big band and swing. She performed with the Coquettes, with Phil Spitalny’s Hour of Charm Orchestra, and as a featured soloist known for high-energy, tom-heavy setups. Smith appeared on major stages and radio and TV broadcasts, including variety programs that showcased her speed and showmanship. During World War II, she publicly encouraged bands to hire more women musicians. Her long career and visibility helped open doors for future generations of female drummers.
Viola Allen
Viola Allen was a renowned American stage actress who bridged the late 19th-century repertory tradition and early silent film. She gained acclaim for Shakespearean roles and popular melodramas, touring widely across the United States. As motion pictures emerged, she appeared in early features while continuing to be identified primarily with the theatre. Allen was also active in charitable and civic work connected to the performing arts. Her legacy is tied to a formative era of American stagecraft.
Viola Dana
Viola Dana was a prolific American silent-film star who appeared in dozens of features for companies such as Metro Pictures. She transitioned from child performer on stage to leading roles on screen, becoming a familiar face in romantic dramas and comedies. Dana worked with notable directors and actors of the silent era and helped popularize serialized storytelling. Although she made a few sound-era appearances, her reputation is anchored in silent cinema. Film historians often cite her as a representative figure of early Hollywood stardom.
Viola Valentino
Viola Valentino is an Italian pop singer who rose to fame in the early 1980s. She broke through with the hit single ‘Comprami’, which became a signature song and commercial success. Valentino released a series of albums and singles that placed her in the mainstream of Italian pop and variety television. She remains a recognizable figure in Italian media, performing in concerts and TV specials. Her catalog is frequently revisited in retrospectives of Italian popular music.
Viola Richard
Viola Richard was an American actress best known for her work in silent and early sound comedies. She appeared in shorts produced by Hal Roach and shared the screen with comedy legends such as Laurel and Hardy. Richard brought a sophisticated presence to slapstick settings, helping bridge vaudeville traditions and filmed comedy. Her filmography includes multiple two-reelers that circulated widely in the late 1920s. Though she retired early, her roles are preserved in classic comedy anthologies.
Viola Léger
Viola Léger was a Canadian actress celebrated for her iconic portrayal of the Acadian character in ‘La Sagouine’. Trained in theatre, she performed the role thousands of times on stage, becoming a cultural touchstone in Francophone Canada. Léger also appeared in film and television and later served as a Canadian senator. Her work contributed significantly to the visibility of Acadian culture and theatre. She received numerous honors recognizing her impact on the performing arts.
Viola Keats
Viola Keats was a British actress active on stage and in film through the mid-20th century. She trained in London and performed in classical and contemporary plays, balancing theatrical engagements with screen roles. Keats appeared in British features and shorts that circulated domestically and across the Commonwealth. Her career reflects the repertory system that shaped many UK performers of the period. She remained associated with disciplined stage craft and period drama
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