Scandal! The Stars of Shonda Rhimes’ TV Shows Before the Fame

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Shonda Rhimes, Senior Year (1987)

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Shonda Rhimes, Queen of Television

ABC President Paul Lee has referred to Shonda Rhimes as the "Charles Dickens of the 21st century." And he's not wrong. Rhimes has been increasingly taking over television with her addictive dramas like Grey's Anatomy and Scandal. Joining the slate is How To Get Away With Murder starring the great Viola Davis. What else can't Shonda do?!

Ellen Pompeo, Senior Year (1987)

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Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey

Ellen Pompeo has spent the last nine years portraying Meredith Grey on Shonda Rhimes' hit Grey's Anatomy, which is about to start its eleventh season this fall. Pompeo's Dr. Grey has captivated audiences with her growth from resident to doctor and her romance with Dr. Derek Sheperd (Patrick Dempsey).

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Viola Davis, Senior Year (1983)

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Viola Davis as Professor Annalise Keating

The Academy Award nominated Davis comes to television with her first lead role as Professor Annalise Keating on How to Get Away With Murder. She plays a brilliant law professor whose infamous class gets her and her students entwined in a murder. We're hoping she keeps wearing those fierce leather peplums!

Kerry Washington, 8th Grade (1990)

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Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope

We're not going to lie, Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope on Scandal is basically our life inspiration. Despite her dips into questionable moral territory (that election rigging) and on/off affair with President Fitz, we admire any woman who can wear white and not spill red wine on it. Oh, did we forget that she's a complete bad-ass? That too!

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Jeff Perry, Senior Year (1973)

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Jeff Perry as Cyrus Beene

As White House Chief of Staff, Perry's a tour de force as the Shakespearean-esque Cyrus Beene. He's at times a terrible villain doing awful things including killing others in order to protect the President. But on the other hand, he's a caring partner to husband James and their child. However, we're guessing the events of season three are going to squarely put him in villain mode for season four.

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Liza Weil, Senior Year (1995)

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Liza Weil as Bonnie Winterbottom

Weil's best known for playing the uptight Paris Geller on Gilmore Girls but she's made a splash in the Shondaverse on Scandal. She plays Bonnie Winterbottom on How to Get Away With Murder, an associate of Annalise Keating's who seems sweet on the outside but is harboring her own secrets.

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Sara Ramirez, Senior Year (1993)

Sara Ramirez as Dr. Callie Torres

Ramirez was originally brought on in season two of Grey's Anatomy as a love interest for George O'Malley (T.R. Knight) but ended up as a series regular whose storyline about her bisexuality was acclaimed by television critics.

Jack Falahee, Senior Year (2007)

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Jack Falahee as Connor Walsh

Relatively new to the acting scene, Falahee's had parts in The Carrie Diaries and ABC Family's Twisted. He played Connor Walsh in How to Get Away with Murdera sexy yet conniving law student who will use his charm to earn Annalise's respect.

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Darby Stanchfield, Senior Year (1989)

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Darby Stanchfield as Abby Whelan

Darby Stanchfield plays Abby Whelan, one of Olivia Pope's most trusted associates on Scandal. Abby's dealt with her own monsters and come out on the better side of it including a relationship with David Rosen (Joshua Malina).

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Joe Morton, Senior Year (1965)

Joe Morton as Rowan "Eli" Pope

Seasons two and three of Scandal introduced us to Papa Pope played by Joe Morton. Olivia and Rowan don't have the healthiest father/daughter relationship especially when you factor in Olivia's mother Maya Lewis (Khandi Alexander) who was thought to be dead. Morton's intense speeches won him an Emmy for Best Guest Actor.

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Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Senior Year (1984)

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Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Denny Duquette

Jeffrey Dean Morgan portrayed one of the most beloved characters on Grey's Anatomy--Denny Duquette, a patient waiting for a heart transplant that Izzie (Katherine Heigl) falls for. Sadly, there's not a happily ever after for the pair.