Kerry Washington’s Husband: Nnamdi Asomugha – A Power Couple’s Journey

long been one of Hollywood’s most admired and respected stars. While Washington’s on-screen prowess has made her a household name, she has maintained a relatively private personal life, particularly regarding her marriage. In 2013, she surprised many by marrying former NFL cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, a man whose story is as compelling as Washington’s.

Asomugha may not be as well-known in the entertainment world as his wife, but he’s carved out a unique and successful career in professional football and now as an actor and producer. Together, Washington and Asomugha form one of Hollywood’s most accomplished and intriguing power couples. This article delves into the life of Nnamdi Asomugha, his transition from the NFL to Hollywood, and how his partnership with Kerry Washington has helped shape a modern, quietly influential power couple.

Nnamdi Asomugha: From NFL Star to Actor and Producer

Born on July 6, 1981, in Lafayette, Louisiana, Nnamdi Asomugha is of Nigerian Igbo descent, growing up in a tight-knit, academically driven family in Southern California. Asomugha attended Narbonne High School in Harbor City, California, before heading to the University of California, Berkeley, where he majored in Corporate Finance while playing for the university’s Golden Bears football team.

Asomugha’s talent as a cornerback was undeniable. In 2003, the Oakland Raiders selected him with the 31st overall pick in the NFL Draft, kicking off a stellar 11-year career in the league. Known for his extraordinary defensive abilities, Asomugha played eight seasons with the Raiders, followed by stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers. His performance during his tenure in the NFL earned him multiple Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors.

However, Asomugha’s interests extended far beyond football. Even during his NFL career, he had begun to explore opportunities in acting and philanthropy. He made his on-screen debut in 2008 with a small role in the TV series The Game and had a part in the 2009 film Fire with Fire. But it wasn’t until his retirement from professional football in 2013 that he fully pursued his passion for acting and film production.

Nnamdi Asomugha’s transition from the NFL to Hollywood is rare in its smoothness and success. In 2017, he produced and starred in the critically acclaimed film Crown Heights, a biographical drama about the wrongful imprisonment of Colin Warner. Asomugha’s performance was met with positive reviews, solidifying his credibility as an actor. The film won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, marking Asomugha’s arrival as a serious talent in the entertainment industry.

His commitment to telling important, often overlooked stories reflects his intellectual curiosity and desire to make a meaningful impact, mirroring his wife’s activism and thoughtful approach to her career.

The Power Couple’s Quiet Union

In a world where many celebrity marriages are characterized by public attention and media spectacle, Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha have maintained a relationship that is striking for its privacy. The two married in a secret ceremony on June 24, 2013, in Hailey, Idaho, with only close family and friends in attendance. Their marriage came as a surprise to many, as the couple had managed to keep their relationship completely out of the public eye.

Washington has spoken publicly about her desire to keep her personal life private, especially regarding her family. “I have girlfriends in this business who talk about their personal lives, and it works for them, and I love it,” Washington told Glamour magazine in 2013. “But not for me.” This approach has extended to her children as well. The couple shares three children, but Washington and Asomugha have been fiercely protective of their family’s privacy, rarely sharing details about their lives or even revealing their children’s names to the public.

Their decision to keep their relationship low-key contrasts with the glitzy world they both inhabit. Yet, for Washington and Asomugha, this privacy seems to work, allowing them to focus on their careers and family without the intrusion of constant media attention.

Balancing Fame, Family, and Philanthropy

Despite their efforts to stay out of the limelight, Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha have each made significant contributions to society through philanthropy. Asomugha, in particular, has been heavily involved in charitable work throughout his career. In 2010, he was named to The Giving Back Fund’s list of the top 30 most charitable athletes. His philanthropic focus has been primarily on education and poverty alleviation, with a special emphasis on providing opportunities for underserved communities, both in the U.S. and Nigeria.

He founded the Asomugha Foundation, which runs two key programs: Asomugha College Tour for Scholars (ACTS) and Orphans and Widows in Need (OWIN). ACTS offers high-achieving high school students from underprivileged backgrounds the opportunity to visit top colleges around the country, exposing them to educational opportunities they might not have otherwise considered. OWIN, meanwhile, is dedicated to providing food, shelter, medicine, and other resources to orphans and widows in Nigeria.

Washington, too, has long been active in political advocacy and charitable work. A graduate of George Washington University, she has been involved in numerous campaigns supporting education, gender equality, and social justice. As a vocal supporter of the arts, Washington serves on President Obama’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities and has worked with organizations like Save the Children and The Creative Coalition to promote causes that are close to her heart.

Together, Washington and Asomugha’s philanthropic work showcases a shared commitment to making the world a better place, particularly through initiatives that uplift marginalized and disadvantaged communities. Their joint focus on family, privacy, and meaningful activism sets them apart from many other high-profile couples, whose fame often overshadows their contributions to society.

Nnamdi Asomugha’s Growing Career in Hollywood

As Nnamdi Asomugha has settled into his post-NFL life, his career in film and television has continued to grow. In addition to his breakout role in Crown Heights, Asomugha has been involved in various other projects, often focusing on thought-provoking, socially relevant stories.

In 2020, he co-starred in the film Sylvie’s Love, a romantic drama set in the 1960s. Starring alongside Tessa Thompson, Asomugha played the role of Robert, an aspiring saxophonist who falls in love with Sylvie (Thompson), a young woman with dreams of her own. The film, which premiered on Amazon Prime, was praised for its lush, nostalgic atmosphere and heartfelt performances. Asomugha’s portrayal of Robert earned him further critical acclaim, proving once again that his acting chops were as sharp as his athletic skills had been on the football field.

As an actor and producer, Asomugha’s film choices reflect a deep sense of purpose. He gravitates toward stories that highlight issues of race, justice, and identity, much like Washington, who has also chosen roles that explore complex, often difficult themes. Whether as Olivia Pope in Scandal, Anita Hill in Confirmation, or as Mia Warren in Little Fires Everywhere, Washington has consistently gravitated toward roles that challenge societal norms and push conversations around race, gender, and power dynamics.

Asomugha’s trajectory in Hollywood seems to follow a similar path, one that aligns well with Washington’s values and creative ambitions. Together, the couple appears to be building a legacy not only in their respective fields but also in the stories they choose to tell and the issues they support.

The Strength of Their Partnership

At the heart of Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha’s relationship is a deep mutual respect for each other’s talents and ambitions. Despite their different backgrounds—Washington as a celebrated actress and activist, Asomugha as an NFL star turned actor and producer—they share common values that have strengthened their marriage.

In interviews, Washington has often spoken of the importance of maintaining a balance between her career and her family life, a balance that Asomugha also prioritizes. In a 2020 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Washington shared how she and her husband have navigated their demanding careers while raising a family. “I have to take care of myself in order to be able to take care of everyone else,” she said, emphasizing the importance of self-care and boundary-setting in maintaining both her personal and professional life.

Asomugha, too, has spoken about the importance of his family in shaping his decisions and his post-NFL career. In a 2017 interview with People, he discussed how becoming a father had changed his perspective on life and work. “There’s just more at stake now. I want my kids to look back and be proud of the stories I tell and the work I do,” he said, highlighting how his family’s values have informed his choices in both acting and philanthropy.

Conclusion

Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha are a unique example of a modern power couple—one that values privacy, intellectual pursuits, and meaningful contributions to society over the trappings of celebrity culture. Together, they have built successful careers in vastly different industries while remaining grounded in their shared values of family, philanthropy, and artistic integrity.