Denzel Washington biography
Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. (born December 28 1954) is a two-time Academy Award- and Golden Globe-winning United States actor and film director. He has garnered much critical acclaim for his work in film since the 1990s, including his portrayals of real-life figures, such as Steve Biko, Malcolm X, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, Melvin B. Tolson, Frank Lucas (drug lord) and Herman Boone.
Washington has been awarded three Golden Globe awards and two Academy Awards for his work. He is notable as the second Black American man (after Sidney Poitier) to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, which he received for his role in the 2001 film
Training Day.
Early life
Denzel Washington was born in Mt. Vernon, New York. His mother, Lennis "Lynne", was a barber-owner and operator born in Georgia (U.S. state) and raised in Harlem. When Washington was fourteen his parents' marriage took a turn for the worse and he and his older sister were sent away to boarding school so that they would not be exposed to their parents' eventual divorce.
Washington was interested in attending Texas Tech University: "I grew up in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in Mount Vernon, and we were the Red Raiders. So when I was in high school, I wanted to go to Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas just because they were called the Texas Tech Red Raiders and their uniforms looked like ours." Nevertheless, Washington earned a B.A. in Drama and Journalism from Fordham University in 1977. At Fordham, he played college basketball as a Freshman guard (basketball) under coach P. J. Carlesimo. After a period of bouncing from major to major and briefly dropping out of school for a semester, Washington worked as a counselor at an overnight summer camp in New England. After participating in a staff talent show for the campers, a colleague suggested he try acting. Returning to Fordham that fall with a renewed purpose and focus, he enrolled at the Lincoln Center campus to study acting, snagging the title character in both Eugene O'Neill's The Emperor Jones, and William Shakespeare's Othello, where he earned rave reviews. Upon graduation, he was given a scholarship to attend graduate school at the prestigious American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, where he stayed for one year before deciding to return to New York to begin a professional acting career.
Career
Early career
Shortly after graduating from Fordham, Washington made his professional acting debut in the 1977 made-for-television movie
Wilma. He made his film debut in the 1981 film
Carbon Copy (film). His big break came when he starred in the popular television hospital drama,
St. Elsewhere from 1982 to 1988. He was one of a few actors to appear on the series for its entire six-year run. In 1987, after appearing in several minor television, film and stage roles, Washington starred as South African Anti-Apartheid political activist Steve Biko in Richard Attenborough's
Cry Freedom, a role for which he received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. In 1989, Washington won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for playing a defiant, self-possessed ex-slave in the film
Glory (film). Also that same year, he gave a powerful performance as the conflicted and disillusioned Reuben James, a Caribbean-born British soldier who, despite a distinguished military career abroad, turns to a life of vigilantism and violence upon his return to civilian life in
For Queen and Country.
1990s
In the Summer of 1990 he starred in a movie called
Mississippi Masala where he played the character Demetrius Williams.
Washington played one of his most critically acclaimed roles in 1992 in film
Malcolm X (film), directed by Spike Lee. His performance as the Black nationalism leader earned him an Academy Awards nomination. Both the influential film critic Roger Ebert and the highly acclaimed film director Martin Scorsese called the movie one of the ten best films made during the 1990s.
Malcolm X transformed Washington's career, turning him, practically overnight, into one of Cinema of the United States most respected actors. He turned down several similar roles, such as an offer to play Martin Luther King, Jr, because he wanted to avoid being typecast. The next year, in 1993, he took another risk in his career by playing Joe Miller, the homophobic lawyer of a homosexual man with AIDS in the movie
Philadelphia (film) starring Tom Hanks. During the early and mid 1990s, Washington became a renowned Hollywood leading man, starring in several successful thrillers, including
The Pelican Brief (film) and
Crimson Tide (film), as well as comedies (Much Ado About Nothing (film)) and romantic dramas (The Preacher's Wife).
While filming the 1995 film
Virtuosity, Washington refused to kiss his white female co-star, Kelly Lynch, during a romantic scene between their characters. During an interview, Lynch stated that while she wanted to, "Denzel felt very strongly about it. I felt there is no problem with interracial romance. But Denzel felt strongly that the white males, who were the target audience of this movie, would not want to see him kiss a white woman." Lynch further stated, "That's a shame. I feel badly about it. I keep thinking that the world's changed, but it hasn't changed quick enough."
A similar situation also occurred during the filming of
The Pelican Brief (film) when Julia Roberts expressed in an interview her desire to have her character in the film engaged in a romantic relationship with Washington's character. And an additional occurrence was in the 1989 film
The Mighty Quinn where Washington's Quinn character did not kiss Mimi Rogers' alluring Hadley character. However, in 1998, Washington starred in a scene of a sexual nature with actress Milla Jovovich, in Spike Lee
He Got Game.
In 1999, Washington starred in
The Hurricane (1999 film), a movie about boxing Rubin Carter, whose conviction for triple murder was overturned after he had spent almost 20 years in prison. Various newspaper articles have suggested that the Rubin Carter over the film's accuracy may have cost Washington an Academy Awards for which he was nominated. Washington did receive a Golden Globe Award in 2000 and a 'Silberner Bär' (Silver Berlin Bear) at the Berlin Film Festival for the role.
He also presented the Arthur Ashe ESPY Award to Loretta Claiborne for her courage. He appeared as himself in the end of
The Loretta Claiborne Story movie. Washington is often cited as an example of human physical attractiveness due to the facial symmetry.
2000s
In 2000, Washington appeared in the crowd-pleasing Walt Disney Company film,
Remember the Titans, which grossed over $100 million at the United States box office. He was nominated and won an Academy Awards for Best Actor for his next film, the 2001 cop thriller,
Training Day, as Det. Alonzo Harris, a rogue LAPD cop with questionable law-enforcement tactics. The role was a much-acclaimed change-of-pace for the actor, who was known for playing many heroic leads. Washington was the second African-American performer ever to win an Academy Award in the category of Best Actor (for
Training Day), the first being Sidney Poitier, who happened to receive an Honorary Academy Award the same night that Washington won for Best Actor. Washington holds the record for most Oscar nominations by an actor of African descent; so far he has earned five.
After appearing in 2002's box office success, the health care-themed
John Q, Washington directed his first film, a well-reviewed drama called
Antwone Fisher (film), in which he also co-starred.
Between 2003 and 2004, Washington appeared in a series of thrillers that performed generally well at the box office, including
Out of Time (2003 film),
Man on Fire (2004 film), and
The Manchurian Candidate (2004 film). In 2006 he starred in
Inside Man, a Spike Lee-directed bank heist thriller co-starring Jodie Foster and Clive Owen, and
Déjà Vu (film) released in November 2006. Next, he co-starred with Russell Crowe in
American Gangster (film) and directed and starred in
The Great Debaters with Forest Whitaker.
Return to theater
In 2005, after a 15-year hiatus (he was last seen in the summer of 1990 in the title role of the Public Theater's production of William Shakespeare's
Richard III (play)) , Washington appeared onstage again in another Shakespeare play as Marcus Brutus in
Julius Caesar (play) on Broadway theatre. The production's limited run was a consistent sell-out, averaging over 100% attendance capacity nightly despite receiving universally terrible reviews.
Personal life
In 1983, Washington married actress Pauletta Pearson (now Pauletta Washington), whom he met on the set of his first screen role,
Wilma. The couple have four children: John David Washington (b. July 28, 1984), who signed a American football contract with the St. Louis Rams in May 2006 after playing college football at Morehouse College; Katia (b. November 1987), who is attending Yale University, and twins Olivia and Malcolm (b. April 10, 1991). In 1995, the couple renewed their wedding vows in South Africa with Archbishop Desmond Tutu officiating.
Washington and his family visited soldiers at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He later made a sizable donation to the Fisher Houses, small hotels that provide rooms for soldiers' families while the soldiers are hospitalized. In October 2006, he published a bestseller entitled
Hand to Guide Me, featuring actors, politicians, athletes, and other public figures recalling their childhood mentors. The book was published in commemoration of the Boys and Girls Club of America's centennial anniversary, because Washington had participated in the club as a child.
Washington is a devout Christian.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia named Washington as one of three people (the others being directors Oliver Stone and Michael Moore) with whom they were willing to negotiate for the release of three defense contractors that the group had held captive from 2003 to 2008.
On May 18, 1991, Washington was awarded an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, Fordham University, for "impressively succeeded in exploring the edge of his multifaceted talent". He also was awared an honorary doctorate of humanities from Morehouse College on May 20, 2007.
Upcoming Projects
Washington will next star as New York subway security chief Zach "Z" Garber in
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, a remake of the 70's thriller,
The Taking of Pelham One, Two Three, opposite John Travolta and directed by Tony Scott, opening in July 2009. He is also attached to star as CIA intelligence officer Brandon Scofield in the film adaptation of Robert Ludlum's Cold War spy thriller
The Matarese Circle, and in January 2009 will begin filming The Book of Eli, a post-Apocalyptic drama set in the near future.
Denzel Washington in the news
Denzel Washington film 'Unstoppable' could be delay...
New York PostDenzel Washington film 'Unstoppable' could be delayed by budget ...Entertainment WeeklyThe fall start date for Unstoppable, Denzel Washington's next collaboration with his Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 director Tony Scott, may be in jeopardy as Fox ...Is Denzel Washington Still A Dependable Star?New York PostDenzel Washington's 'Unstoppable' stoppedZap2it.com'Unstoppable': Hollywood's movie-star movies keep biting the dustLos Angeles TimesScorecard Review -Reuters -411mania.comall 26 news articles »
read moreDenzel Washington's Italian Anniversary Celebration - The G...
The Gossip GirlsDenzel Washington's Italian Anniversary CelebrationThe Gossip GirlsHe's been married to his wife Pauletta for 26 years, and yesterday Denzel Washington was spotted hanging out on a luxury yacht in Portofino, ...Denzel and wife enjoy the dolce vita as they return to Italy for ...hellomagazine.comall 3 news articles »
read moreKELLER'S ECW ON SCI-FI REPORT 6/30: Results, star ratings ....
KELLER'S ECW ON SCI-FI REPORT 6/30: Results, star ratings ...Pro Wrestling TorchHe's a cross between The Rock and Denzel Washington. [c] Abraham Washington walked to the ring. He sounds like a cross between Coach and Stephen A. Smith. ...and more »
read moreNext stop: Washington - Chicago Sun-Times
E! OnlineNext stop: WashingtonChicago Sun-Times"I could read the minds of these people," says superstar Denzel Washington. "You knew that they were thinking, 'Denzel is riding the subway now? ...Blasts and Bedlam Knock 'Pelham 1 2 3' Off the TracksWashington Post'The Taking of Pelham 123' movie review: Travolta, Washington ...The Star-Ledger - NJ.comDenzel Washington jumps aboard 'Pelham 1 2 3' updateBoston HeraldLos Angeles Times -MTV.com -The Star-Ledger - NJ.comall 1,265 news articles »
read moreWashington sees other end of the tunnel - Philadelphia Inquirer
New YorkerWashington sees other end of the tunnelPhiladelphia InquirerHOLLYWOOD - As a youngster, Denzel Washington would take the No. 2 subway train from the Bronx every day into Manhattan. ...The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009)New York Times'Taking of Pelham 1-2-3' could never happen on crowded No. 6 trainNew York Daily NewsTrain in vain? Denzel and Travolta square offExaminer.comSeattle Post Intelligencer -Eurweb.com -Atlantic Onlineall 179 news articles »
read moreEditorial: Red Line tragedy - Philadelphia Inquirer
Editorial: Red Line tragedyPhiladelphia InquirerIt is ironic that a popular movie this week is a remake of the 1974 film The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, a Denzel Washington vehicle that also features all the ...and more »
read moreBox Office Guru Preview: Travolta Faces Off With Denzel in 1 2 3 - ...
Box Office Guru Preview: Travolta Faces Off With Denzel in 1 2 3Rotten Tomatoes... 2009 Two A-listers duke it out in North American multiplexes in the new action thriller The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 starring Denzel Washington and John ...Audiences can't get over 'Hangover'Hollywood ReporterSunday Box Office: Audiences Aren't Riding 'Pelham 1 2 3′MTV.com'Taking of Pelham 123' and 'Imagine That' fizzleLos Angeles TimesBBC News -Entertainment Weekly -Los Angeles Timesall 759 news articles »
read more'Unstoppable' having financial issues - Monsters an...
'Unstoppable' having financial issuesMonsters and Critics.comThe studio is also dealing with high star salaries of Scott, Denzel Washington and Chris Pine. Neither the main acting deals nor Scott's directing deal are ...and more »
read moreDenzel Washington: Would he make a good Obama? - Entertainment Weekly
Denzel Washington: Would he make a good Obama?Entertainment WeeklyDenzel Washington has successfully transformed into many memorable characters over the years with his portrayals of Malcolm X, Coach Herman Boone (Remember ...Dear Spock, Obama Feels Your PainNewsweekall 3 news articles »
read moreValue of a drug bust: zero, nothing, zilch! - Examiner.com
Value of a drug bust: zero, nothing, zilch!Examiner.comFor a great visual on this, see Denzel Washington in 'American Gangster.' “What about dealers? America employs roughly two million drug dealers, ...and more »
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