One of Hollywood’s sexiest and most magnetic leading men, Denzel Washington’s poise and radiantly sane intelligence permeate whatever film he is in, be it a socially conscious drama, biopic, or suspense thriller. More importantly, Washington’s efforts, alongside those of director Spike Lee, have done much to dramatically expand the range of dramatic roles given to African American actors and actresses.
The son of a Pentecostal minister and a hairdresser, Washington was born in Mount Vernon, New York, on December 28, 1954. His parents’ professions shaped Washington’s early ambition to launch himself into show business. From his minister father, he learned the power of performance, while hours in his mother’s salon listening to stories gave him a love of storytelling. Unfortunately, when Washington was 14, his parents’ marriage took a turn for the worse, and he and his older sister were sent away to boarding school so they would not be exposed to their parents’ eventual divorce.
Education and Early Career
Denzel Washington later attended Fordham University, where he attained a BA in journalism in 1977. He still found time to pursue his interest in acting, and after graduation, he moved to San Francisco, where he won a scholarship to the American Conservatory Theater. Washington stayed with the ACT for a year, and after his time there, he began acting in various television movies, making his film debut in the 1981 “Carbon Copy.” Although he had a starring role as the illegitimate son of a rich white man, Washington didn’t find real recognition until he joined the cast of John Falsey and Joshua Brand’s long-running TV series “Saint Elsewhere” in 1982.
Rise to Fame
In 1987, he starred as anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko in Richard Attenborough’s “Cry Freedom” alongside Kevin Kline. Though the film itself alienated some critics, Washington’s powerful performance earned him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. Two years later, Denzel Washington netted another Best Supporting Actor nod and won the award for his role as an embittered yet courageous runaway slave in the Civil War drama “Glory.” The honor effectively put him on the Hollywood A-list.
Collaborations with Spike Lee
Some of his more notable work came from his collaboration with director Spike Lee. Over the 1990s, Denzel Washington starred in three of Lee’s films, playing a jazz trumpeter in “Mo’ Better Blues” (1990), the title role in Lee’s epic 1992 biopic “Malcolm X,” and the convict father of a high school basketball star in “He Got Game” (1998).
Other Significant Roles
Denzel Washington also turned in powerful performances in a number of other films, such as “Mississippi Masala” (1991), “Philadelphia” (1993), and “Devil in a Blue Dress” (1995). He attracted large audiences in action roles with box office hits like “The Pelican Brief” (1993), “Crimson Tide” (1995), and “The Siege” (1998).
Continued Success and Critical Acclaim
In 1999, Washington starred in “The Bone Collector” and “The Hurricane,” earning numerous honors, including a Best Actor Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination. His role as a corrupt policeman in “Training Day” (2001) won him his second Academy Award, this time for Best Actor.
Directorial Work and Recent Projects
In 2002, Denzel Washington directed and starred in “Antwone Fisher,” receiving praise for his work. He continued to deliver compelling performances in films such as “Out of Time” (2003), “Inside Man” (2006), and “Deja Vu” (2006). He also starred in “American Gangster” (2007) and “The Taking of Pelham 123” (2009).
Check: Tom Cruise Biography
Major Works of Denzel Washington
- Glory (1989): A drama war film that won him his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
- Training Day (2001): A critically acclaimed film where he played the antagonist, earning accolades for his portrayal of Detective Alonzo Harris.
Awards and Achievements
- Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for “Glory” (1989).
- Academy Award for Best Actor for “Training Day” (2001).
