Most Famous Violas in the World

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The name Viola has a rich history in the entertainment world, shared by many talented actors, musicians, and performers over the years. Here’s a look at some of the most famous Violas – from award-winning film stars to legendary musicians and stage performers – with a brief overview of their careers and what made them famous.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis is a highly acclaimed American actress who has excelled in movies, television, and on stage. She’s one of the few people to win an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and Tony Awards – a remarkable achievement. Many know her for her role as Annalise Keating in the TV series ‘How to Get Away with Murder’, which earned her an historic Emmy. She’s also starred in films like ‘Fences’, ‘The Help’, ‘Widows’, and ‘The Woman King’, as well as appearing in DC movies such as ‘Suicide Squad’. Beyond her acting, Davis is a strong voice for fairness and better representation within the entertainment industry.

Viola Wills

Viola Wills was a popular American singer who achieved international fame in the late 1970s and 80s with her pop and disco music. She’s most remembered for her successful cover of ‘Gonna Get Along Without You Now,’ which became a hit in many countries. She continued to release popular songs, including covers like ‘If You Could Read My Mind’ and original dance tracks that made her a favorite in nightclubs. Wills toured widely throughout Europe and appeared on many television shows, and her music is still played on classic disco playlists today.

Viola Smith

Let me tell you about Viola Smith – a true pioneer. As a drummer, she wasn’t just good, she was breaking barriers back in the big band and swing eras. I was really impressed learning about her work with groups like The Coquettes and Phil Spitalny’s Orchestra, and especially as a standout soloist – she was known for her incredibly energetic style and those powerful tom-tom fills! She wasn’t confined to small clubs either; Viola played on major stages and was a regular on radio and TV, always showing off her speed and charisma. What really struck me was her advocacy during WWII, actively urging bands to give women musicians a chance. It’s clear her long and visible career paved the way for so many female drummers who followed in her footsteps. She’s a legend, and deserves to be remembered.

Viola Allen

Viola Allen was a famous American actress who performed both on stage and in some of the earliest silent films. She was well-known for playing characters in Shakespeare and other popular plays, and she toured the country extensively. Even as movies became popular, she remained best known as a theatre actress. Allen also dedicated time to supporting the arts through charity work. She’s remembered as an important figure in the early days of American theatre.

Viola Dana

Viola Dana was a very popular actress during the early days of American silent films, starring in numerous movies for studios like Metro Pictures. She began her career as a child performer on stage and quickly rose to leading roles, becoming well-known for her work in romantic comedies and dramas. Dana collaborated with many important directors and actors of the time and played a role in making serial stories popular. While she appeared in a few films with sound, she’s best remembered for her work in silent cinema, and is often seen as a typical example of an early Hollywood star.

Viola Valentino

Viola Valentino is a popular Italian singer who first became famous in the early 1980s. Her song ‘Comprami’ was a major hit and helped launch her career. She went on to release several albums and appeared regularly on Italian pop and variety television shows. Even today, she’s a well-known personality in Italian media, continuing to perform in concerts and on TV specials, and her music is often featured when looking back at the history of Italian pop.

Viola Richard

Viola Richard was an American actress who starred in many silent and early talking comedies. She worked with famous comedians like Laurel and Hardy, appearing in short films produced by Hal Roach. Richard was known for bringing a touch of elegance to slapstick humor, connecting the styles of vaudeville and early film comedy. She made several popular two-reel shorts in the late 1920s, and though she stopped acting early in her career, her work still appears in classic comedy collections.

Viola Léger

Viola Léger was a well-known Canadian actress, famous for playing the character of La Sagouine, a proud Acadian woman. She was a trained theatre performer and brought this role to life thousands of times on stage, becoming a beloved figure in French-speaking Canada. Léger also acted in movies and on television, and later served as a Canadian Senator. Through her work, she greatly increased the visibility of Acadian culture and theatre, and received many awards for her contributions to the arts.

Viola Keats

Viola Keats was a British actress who worked in both theater and film until the mid-1900s. She received her training in London and skillfully performed in both classic and modern plays, often moving between stage productions and film roles. Keats acted in British films and short movies that were shown in the UK and throughout the Commonwealth. Her career is representative of the common practice at the time for British actors to work across different types of productions. She was known for her strong acting technique and often appeared in historical dramas.

Share your favorite Viola and what you love about their work in the comments!

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2025-10-23 05:15