Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington
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Name:
Denzel Washington
Real name:
Denzel Hayes Washington Jr.
Who is:
, ,
Birth date:
(70 y.o.)
Place of birth:
Mount Vernon, New York, U.S.
Height:
6'1 ft ()
Weight:
176 lb (80 kg)
Birth Sign:
(characteristic)
Chinese zodiac:
Links:

Photos: Denzel Washington

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+30 Photos

Denzel Washington's biography

Denzel Washington is Hollywood's two-time Oscar-winning actor, who shot to stardom playing Steve Biko in Richard Attenborough's historical drama Cry Freedom. He's produced hit films including The Equalizer and The Book of Eli. As a director, he's helmed three feature films, most recently the drama Fences. He's a loving husband and father. Net worth: $280 million.
In the photo: Denzel Washington
In the photo: Denzel Washington

Childhood: Mount Vernon

Born just before 1955 in Mount Vernon, the minister's second son was named Denzel after his father. Denzel Hayes Sr. immediately envisioned his son following in his footsteps as a minister.
Denzel Washington in his childhood and now
Denzel Washington in his childhood and now
However, his wife, Lennis Lowe, thought otherwise. A successful businesswoman who owned her own beauty salon, she'd often bring Denzel to work, where he'd play while his mother was managing her business. When he started at Pennington-Grimes Elementary School, he'd rush over after classes to help her.

In an interview, Washington recalled how one of his mother's elderly clients stared at him, then wrote on a piece of paper that he had a bright future ahead and millions would listen to him. Neighborhood rumors claimed the woman was a fortune teller, and he kept that prophetic piece of paper.
Denzel Washington in his school years
Denzel Washington in his school years
When another son joined the family, his father insisted the middle child spend more time at church rather than his mother's salon. The spouses would often argue. Their divorce was very painful for Denzel, but he never saw the life of a minister as the only option in life. His mother transferred him to the Oakland Military Academy, where he later on graduated.

Youth: New York – San Francisco

In the early '70s, he enrolled at Fordham University (one of the graduates being Donald Trump too). He initially chose medicine but later switched to journalism, transferring to another department and graduating in 1977.
Young Denzel Washington
Young Denzel Washington
Beyond his studies, Denzel played sports and participated in student theater productions, quickly becoming a popular and promising amateur actor. The highlight was his role as Shakespeare's Othello.

After winning an educational grant, Washington headed to San Francisco to study at an American conservatory for over a year. That's when fate handed him his first break – playing young Robert Eldridge in Bud Greenspan's drama Wilma. Denzel felt he'd found his calling, so he left the conservatory to work as an actor in theater and film. Wilma brought about one more gift: he met Pauletta Pearson, his future wife.

Career: two Roberts, two Oscars

The name Robert holds special significance for Denzel. That was the name of his first character, and of the protagonist from The Equalizer, and in between those two, he managed to appear in over fifty movies. His supporting role in Jud Taylor's drama Flesh and Blood closed out the 70s.
Denzel Washington at the beginning of his acting career
Denzel Washington at the beginning of his acting career
His acting career truly took off in the 80s. His six-year run on the medical drama St. Elsewhere coincided with leading roles on the big screen. Denzel – Roger in the comedy Carbon Copy, Private Peterson in A Soldier's Story, Arnold Billings in the political drama Power, starring Richard Gere.
Denzel Washington in Carbon Copy
Denzel Washington in Carbon Copy
Next came the TV drama The George McKenna Story, where he played the title character - a school principal, the drama For Queen and Country telling the story of paratrooper James, the historical drama Cry Freedom, where he plays the leader of the African national identity movement. This role led to his first Oscar nomination.
A still from the movie Cry Freedom
A still from the movie Cry Freedom
He starred in the thriller The Mighty Quinn, the fantasy drama Heart Condition, and the historical drama Glory. His role as Private Trip earned him his first Oscar and the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
Denzel Washington at the Oscars
Denzel Washington at the Oscars
With his success and growing demand, he caught the attention of director Spike Lee in the early 90s, who offered him a role in the romance drama Mo' Better Blues and then in the drama Malcolm X. Spike helped Denzel unleash his transformative talent, and later (in the sports drama He Got Game co-starring with Milla Jovovich) continued giving him opportunities to showcase his acting range.
A still from the movie Mo' Better Blues
A still from the movie Mo' Better Blues
The role of John Hobbes from the mystery drama Fallen, where he worked with Donald Sutherland and John Goodman, further showcases his impressive acting range, as well as the role of the quadriplegic detective Lincoln Rhyme in the crime thriller The Bone Collector. Denzel co-starred with Angelina Jolie, who he said was one of the most talented actresses he's ever worked with.
Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie
Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie
He made an appearance in several movies that achieved an undoubted commercial success: Philadelphia with Tom Hanks, The Siege with Bruce Willis, Training Day with Ethan Hawke. In the latter, for his role as the main villain – Alonzo Harris, he received his second Oscar, and the role of Rubin Carter in The Hurricane earned him his first Golden Globe.
Denzel Washington at the Golden Globes
Denzel Washington at the Golden Globes
In the 2000s, he stepped behind the camera to direct Antwone Fisher, The Great Debaters, and Fences. He co-starred with Jodie Foster in Inside Man, with Eva Mendes in Out of Time, with Dakota Fanning in Man on Fire, with Meryl Streep in the science fiction The Manchurian Candidate, and with Russell Crowe in the true-crime drama American Gangster.
Denzel Washington Wins Best Actor | 74th Oscars (2002)
His role as Melvin Tolson in The Great Debaters earned him a well-deserved Golden Globe, his second major film award. He co-starred with John Travolta in the crime The Taking of Pelham 123, with Gary Oldman in The Book of Eli, with Ryan Reynolds in Safe House, with Kelly Reilley in Flight, and with Mark Wahlberg in 2 Guns.
Safe House – Trailer
In 2014 and 2018 he brought ex-CIA agent Robert McCall to life, a vigilante delivering street justice. The Equalizer was so successful that the director, Antoine Fuqua, decided to shoot a sequel, to which Denzel agreed wholeheartedly. After reading the script, Denzel exclaimed: "Holy cow! This is a whole different world!" It felt like a completely new movie, but with the same protagonist – the equalizer of good and evil.

According to Zoomboola.com, on December 28, 2018, Denzel Washington celebrated his 64th birthday with his family and friends. Both he and his wife Pauletta are passionate supporters of their favorite basketball team – the Lakers.
Denzel Washington and his wife at a basketball match
Denzel Washington and his wife at a basketball match

Denzel Washington's personal life

Meeting Pauletta Pearson on the set of Wilma led to a five-year romance that turned into marriage in 1982. His first son, David, was born in 1985, and three years after his wife gave birth to a daughter they named Katia. They became happy parents to twins Malcolm and Olivia Washington in 1991.
Denzel Washington with his wife Pauletta
Denzel Washington with his wife Pauletta
He thanks God for all of his achievements in life and he reads the Bible daily. Just before the new millennium, he seriously considered becoming a minister, but his pastor told him he could reach more people in his current position, so he abandoned the idea. Instead, he donated 2 million dollars for the construction of the Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles.
Denzel Washington with this family
Denzel Washington with this family

Denzel Washington now

In January of 2019, the Washington family attended the Golden Globe awards. The reason for that was the nomination of his eldest son, David, for Best Actor in Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman. Even though he didn't win, his father believes he has yet to unleash his full potential.
In 2020, it was announced that Washington would star in Netflix's new drama "Leave the World Behind" with Julia Roberts. The project is being led by the producer of "Mr. Robot," and follows the story of unfamiliar families forced to spend time together under one roof.

Denzel Washington: latest news and articles

  • Genius dude Denzel Washington. One of my favorite Hollywood actors.
    2021-05-16 17:27:40
  • In The Bone Collector, Washington was amazing! As actually and everywhere in my opinion. I also advise «Inside Man», «The Book of Eli» and «Déjà Vu».
    2021-04-25 18:39:08
  • Do not surprised that Denzel has so many awards and recognition from the public. After many successful works in films, he has the right to deserve!
    2021-03-18 15:25:25
  • It is very interesting to read the biographies of actors whom I respect. Find out their life path, what they did, before they became famous.
    2021-03-03 17:09:40
  • Oh, Mr. Washington won my heart long ago. Many of his roles are divine. I love with all my heart.
    2021-02-17 20:31:34
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