That is in part because Viola Davis was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her work in Fences, which makes her the most nominated black actress in the history of the Academy Awards.
With her latest nomination, Viola Davis has now been nominated for three Academy Awards, marking the first time an African-American actress has ever accomplished that.
Viola Davis was previously nominated for her work in 2009’s Doubt, for which she was nominated for Best Supported Actress.
Viola Davis has some pretty heavy competition in the Best Supporting Actress category, though.