Julius Tennon

Julius Tennon
Born	12/24/1953
Birthplace	Travis County, Texas, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Actor, producer
Known for	Co-founder of JuVee Productions
Education	University of Tulsa
Spouse(s)	Viola Davis (m. 2003)
Children	1

Julius Tennon (born December 24, 1953) is an American actor and producer whose career in film, television, and theater spans more than three decades. He is the co-founder, alongside his wife Viola Davis, of JuVee Productions, a production company that has developed projects across film, television, and digital media. Tennon has appeared in numerous film and television productions throughout his career, building a steady body of work as a character actor while increasingly taking on a prominent role behind the camera as a producer. An alumnus of the University of Tulsa, Tennon has maintained connections to his alma mater and has served as a mentor to emerging talent in the entertainment industry. He married Davis in June 2003, and the couple have one daughter together. In recent years, Tennon has expanded his producing portfolio, co-producing the action film G20 alongside Davis, and developing new projects including an adaptation of the Afro-fantasy graphic novel The Untamed for the screen.

Early Life

Julius Tennon was born on December 24, 1953, in Travis County, Texas. Details about his early upbringing and family background remain limited in published sources. He grew up in Texas before pursuing higher education at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, where he studied acting and developed the foundation for his career in the performing arts.

Education

Tennon attended the University of Tulsa, where he studied in the College of Arts and Sciences. He has maintained a relationship with the university over the decades following his graduation, serving as a resource and mentor for current students. In 2024, a University of Tulsa senior named Nevaeh Goudeau completed a summer internship at JuVee Productions, the company co-founded by Tennon and Davis. The university highlighted Tennon's role as an ally and mentor to the student, describing the internship as a formative experience facilitated by Tennon's connection to his alma mater.

Career

Acting

Julius Tennon has built a career as an actor in film and television over more than three decades. He has appeared in a range of productions, taking on supporting and character roles across various genres. His acting work has encompassed both dramatic and genre productions, establishing him as a working actor in Hollywood with a consistent presence across multiple decades.

Tennon met Viola Davis on a film set in 1999, a meeting that would prove significant both personally and professionally. Their on-set introduction eventually led to a romantic relationship and, later, a business partnership that would reshape both of their careers.

In 2025, Tennon co-starred alongside Davis in the action film G20, which began streaming on Prime Video on April 10, 2025. The project marked a notable collaboration between the couple both in front of and behind the camera, as they also served as co-producers on the film through JuVee Productions.

Producing and JuVee Productions

Tennon and Davis co-founded JuVee Productions, a production company whose name is derived from the first syllables of their respective first names. The company has developed projects across multiple platforms including film, television, and digital media. JuVee Productions has served as a vehicle for the couple to champion stories and voices that they believe deserve broader representation in mainstream entertainment.

Through JuVee Productions, Tennon and Davis have produced and executive produced a growing slate of projects. The company co-produced the action film G20 (2025), which brought the couple together as co-stars and co-producers. The company has also been involved in developing projects across genres, reflecting Tennon and Davis's interest in expanding their creative portfolio beyond conventional drama.

In 2025, it was reported that JuVee Productions was developing an adaptation of The Untamed, an Afro-fantasy graphic novel, for the big screen. The project represented an expansion into genre filmmaking for the company, signaling Tennon and Davis's interest in bringing diverse stories rooted in speculative fiction and fantasy to mainstream audiences.

JuVee Productions has also provided opportunities for emerging talent. In 2024, a University of Tulsa senior interned at the company during the summer, an experience that the university described as formative. Tennon's role in facilitating the internship was highlighted by the University of Tulsa, which noted his status as an alumnus and his willingness to support aspiring professionals in the entertainment industry.

Recent Projects

As of 2025, Tennon continued to be active both as an actor and producer. His appearance alongside Davis in G20 drew media attention, with the couple participating in joint promotional appearances including an appearance on the web series Hot Ones. During the appearance, Tennon discussed his approach to household responsibilities, with Davis recalling that early in their relationship, she had to ask him not to vacuum early in the morning.

In March 2025, Tennon garnered attention when Davis's enthusiastic cheering during an actor awards presentation went viral on social media. Davis later told People magazine that she and Tennon "have been laughing" about the incident, noting that the couple had been "laughing for 2 days" after the moment gained widespread attention online.

The development of The Untamed adaptation continued in 2025, with Blex Media reporting that Tennon and Davis were expanding their genre slate through JuVee Productions. The Afro-fantasy graphic novel adaptation represented a new creative direction for the company, which had previously focused primarily on dramatic and action-oriented content.

Personal Life

Julius Tennon met Viola Davis on a film set in 1999. The couple married on June 23, 2003, and have celebrated their anniversary publicly on multiple occasions. On their 22nd wedding anniversary in June 2025, Davis posted videos of the couple on Instagram with the caption "Love You Deep."

The couple have one daughter together, Genesis Tennon. Genesis has been photographed with her parents at various public events.

In a 2025 interview with AOL, Davis stated that she and Tennon "really don't" have any specific marriage rules, describing their approach to their relationship as organic rather than structured by rigid guidelines. Tennon has been described in media profiles as taking on a significant share of household responsibilities. During an appearance on Hot Ones in April 2025, Davis recalled that when the couple first began dating, she had to ask Tennon not to vacuum early in the morning, a detail that was widely reported in entertainment media.

Tennon has maintained ties to the University of Tulsa, his alma mater, providing mentorship and internship opportunities to students through JuVee Productions.

Legacy

Julius Tennon's career reflects a multifaceted approach to the entertainment industry, encompassing both on-screen acting and behind-the-scenes producing. Through his co-founding of JuVee Productions with Viola Davis, Tennon has contributed to the development of projects that seek to broaden the scope of representation in mainstream film and television. The company's slate, which has grown to include genres ranging from action to Afro-fantasy, demonstrates an evolving creative ambition.

Tennon's connection to the University of Tulsa and his willingness to mentor students such as Nevaeh Goudeau reflect his engagement with the next generation of entertainment professionals. The university's public acknowledgment of his role as a mentor and alumnus underscores the significance of his ongoing relationship with the institution.

As a producer, Tennon's work with JuVee Productions has positioned the company as a notable entity in the entertainment landscape. The development of projects like the adaptation of The Untamed and the production of G20 indicate a continued expansion of the company's reach and ambition. Tennon's dual role as both actor and producer has allowed him to shape projects from multiple vantage points, contributing to storytelling that spans a range of genres and audiences.