Editing Denzel Washington

{{Short description|American actor (born 1954)}}
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{{Use American English|date=October 2024}}
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{{Infobox person
| name               = Denzel Washington
| image              = Denzel Washington at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.jpg
| caption            = Washington in 2025
| birth_name         = Denzel Hayes Washington Jr.
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1954|12|28}}
| birth_place        = [[Mount Vernon, New York]], U.S.
| education          = [[Fordham University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[American Conservatory Theater]]
| occupation         = {{hlist|Actor|director|producer}}
| years_active       = 1975–present
| spouse             = {{marriage|Pauletta Pearson|1983}}
| children           = [[John David Washington|John David]], [[Katia Washington|Katia]], [[Malcolm Washington|Malcolm]] and [[Olivia Washington|Olivia]]
| works              = [[Denzel Washington on screen and stage|Full list]]
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations received by Denzel Washington|Full list]]
| honors             = [[List of awards and nominations received by Denzel Washington#Honorary awards|Full list]]
}}
'''Denzel Hayes Washington Jr.''' (born December 28, 1954)<ref>{{cite web|last=Mitchell|first=Jerry|title=On this day in 1954|date=December 28, 2024|website=Mississippi Today|url=https://mississippitoday.org/2024/12/28/on-this-day-in-1954-oscar-winner-denzel-washington-was-born/|accessdate=January 15, 2025}}</ref> is an American actor, producer, and director<!-- not a writer so filmmaker doesnt make sense -->. Known for his dramatic roles [[Denzel Washington on screen and stage|on stage and screen]], ''[[The New York Times]]'' named him the greatest actor of the 21st century in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Longmire|first=Becca|date=November 26, 2020|title=Denzel Washington Tops 'New York Times' '25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century (So Far)' List|url=https://etcanada.com/news/717946/denzel-washington-tops-new-york-times-25-greatest-actors-of-the-21st-century-so-far-list/|access-date=November 26, 2020|website=ET Canada|archive-date=November 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126123054/https://etcanada.com/news/717946/denzel-washington-tops-new-york-times-25-greatest-actors-of-the-21st-century-so-far-list/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/denzel-washington-named-greatest-actor-21st-century-so-far | title=Denzel Washington named the Greatest Actor of the 21st Century (So Far) | date=November 27, 2020 }}</ref> Washington has received [[List of awards and nominations received by Denzel Washington|various accolades]], including two [[Academy Awards]], three [[Golden Globe Awards]], and a [[Tony Award]]. He has been honored with the [[Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award|Cecil B. DeMille Award]] in 2016, [[AFI Life Achievement Award]] in 2019, the [[Honorary Palme d'Or]] in 2025, and the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] in 2025.{{efn|Washington was supposed to receive the award in 2022 but had to skip the ceremony after testing positive for [[COVID-19]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Huff |first1=Lauren |title=Denzel Washington misses Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony after contracting COVID |url=https://ew.com/celebrity/denzel-washington-misses-presidential-medal-of-freedom-ceremony-covid/ |website=EW |access-date=January 5, 2025 |date=July 7, 2022}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2022/film/news/denzel-washington-medal-of-freedom-1235307850/|title= Denzel Washington to Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom|website= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date= July 2022|accessdate= November 11, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/04/president-biden-announces-recipients-of-the-presidential-medal-of-freedom-3/ |title=President Biden Announces Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom |publisher=[[White House]] |date=4 January 2025 |access-date=4 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2025/film/news/denzel-washington-palme-dor-cannes-1236403484/|title= Denzel Washington Gets Surprise Honorary Palme d’Or at Cannes During Spike Lee’s ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Premiere|website= Variety|accessdate= May 19, 2025}}</ref>

After training at the [[American Conservatory Theater]], Washington began his career in theater, acting in performances [[off-Broadway]]. He first came to prominence in the [[NBC]] medical drama series ''[[St. Elsewhere]]'' (1982–1988), and in the war film ''[[A Soldier's Story]]'' (1984). Washington won Academy Awards for [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] for playing an [[American Civil War]] soldier in the war drama ''[[Glory (1989 film)|Glory]]'' (1989) and for [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] for playing a corrupt police officer in the crime thriller ''[[Training Day]]'' (2001).<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=TsMDAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22get+historic+wins+at+Oscars%22&pg=PA14 Halle Berry, Denzel Washington get historic wins at Oscars]. April 8, 2002. ''[[Jet magazine|Jet]]''.</ref> He was Oscar-nominated for his roles in ''[[Cry Freedom]]'' (1987), ''[[Malcolm X (1992 film)|Malcolm X]]'' (1992), ''[[The Hurricane (1999 film)|The Hurricane]]'' (1999), ''[[Flight (2012 film)|Flight]]'' (2012), ''[[Fences (film)|Fences]]'' (2016), ''[[Roman J. Israel, Esq.]]'' (2017), and ''[[The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021 film)|The Tragedy of Macbeth]]'' (2021).

Washington has starred in many commercially successful films, including ''[[The Pelican Brief (film)|The Pelican Brief]]'', ''[[Philadelphia (film)|Philadelphia]]'' (both 1993); ''[[Crimson Tide (film)|Crimson Tide]]'' (1995); ''[[Remember the Titans]]'' (2000); ''[[Man on Fire (2004 film)|Man on Fire]]'' (2004); ''[[Déjà Vu (2006 film)|Déjà Vu]]'', ''[[Inside Man]]'' (both 2006); ''[[American Gangster (film)|American Gangster]]'' (2007); ''[[Unstoppable (2010 film)|Unstoppable]]'', ''[[The Book of Eli]]'' (both 2010); ''[[Safe House (2012 film)|Safe House]]'' (2012); ''[[2 Guns]]'' (2013); ''[[The Equalizer#Film series|The Equalizer]]'' trilogy (2014–2023), and ''[[Gladiator II]]'' (2024). Washington has also directed the films ''[[Antwone Fisher (film)|Antwone Fisher]]'' (2002), ''[[The Great Debaters]]'' (2007), [[Fences (film)|''Fences'' (2016)]], and ''[[A Journal for Jordan]]'' (2021).

On stage, he has acted in [[The Public Theater]] productions of ''[[Coriolanus]]'' (1979) and ''[[Richard III (play)|The Tragedy of Richard III]]'' (1990). He made his [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] debut in the [[Ron Milner]] play ''Checkmates'' (1988). He won the [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play]] for his role as a disillusioned [[working class]] father in the Broadway revival of [[August Wilson]]'s play ''[[Fences (play)|Fences]]'' (2010). He has also acted in the Broadway revivals of [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Julius Caesar (play)|Julius Caesar]]'' (2005) and ''[[Othello]]'' (2025), [[Lorraine Hansberry]]'s play ''[[A Raisin in the Sun]]'' (2014), and [[Eugene O'Neill]]'s play ''[[The Iceman Cometh]]'' (2018).

==Early life and education==
Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. was born in [[Mount Vernon, New York]], on December 28, 1954. His mother, Lennis "Lynne" (Lowe), was a beauty parlor owner and operator born in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] and partly raised in [[Harlem|Harlem, New York]].<ref name="bookref1">{{cite book|last=Nickson|first=Chris|author-link=Chris Nickson|title=Denzel Washington|publisher=St. Martin's Paperbacks|year=1996|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780312960438/page/9 9–11]|isbn=0-312-96043-3|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780312960438/page/9}}</ref><ref name=gniaid>{{Cite book|last=Ingram|first=E. Renée|title=Buckingham County|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|year=2005|page=55|isbn=0-7385-1842-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://familyhistoryinsider.com/denzel-washingtons-ancestor-registered-to-vote-in-georgia-in-1867/|title=familyhistoryinsider.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last1=Kranz | first1=R. | last2=Lisa | first2=Y. | title=Biographical Dictionary of African Americans, Revised Edition | publisher=Infobase Publishing | year=2021 | isbn=978-1-4381-9877-4 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dNyPEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA412 | access-date=December 10, 2024 | page=412}}</ref> His father, Denzel Hayes Washington Sr., a native of [[Buckingham County, Virginia]], was an ordained [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] minister who was also an employee of the [[New York City water supply system#Responsible agencies|New York City Water Department]], and worked at a local [[S. Klein]] department store.

Washington attended [[Pennington-Grimes Elementary School]] in Mount Vernon until 1968. When he was 14, his parents divorced and his mother sent him to the private preparatory school [[Oakland Military Academy]] in [[New Windsor, New York]]. Washington later said, "That decision changed my life, because I wouldn't have survived in the direction I was going. The guys I was hanging out with at the time, my running buddies, have now done maybe 40 years combined in the penitentiary. They were nice guys, but the streets got them."<ref>{{cite news |last=Rader |first=Dodson |date=December 12, 1999 |title=I Try To Send A Good Message |url=http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/1999/edition_12-12-1999/Denzel_Washington |url-status=dead |newspaper=Parade Magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060411214059/http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/1999/edition_12-12-1999/Denzel_Washington |archive-date=April 11, 2006 |access-date= March 12, 2014}}</ref> After Oakland, he attended [[Mainland High School]] in [[Daytona Beach, Florida]], from 1970 to 1971.<ref name="bookref1"/>

He was interested in attending [[Texas Tech University]]: "I grew up in the [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America|Boys Club]] 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|Lubbock]] just because they were called the [[Texas Tech Red Raiders|Red Raiders]] and their uniforms looked like ours."<ref name="College">{{cite news|url=http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/123007/col_-230127235.shtml|title=Leach OK with star power|newspaper=[[Florida Times-Union]]|access-date=December 31, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303171552/http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/123007/col_-230127235.shtml|archive-date=March 3, 2012}}</ref> Instead, he earned a [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] in Drama and Journalism from [[Fordham University]] in 1977.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fordham.edu/campus_resources/enewsroom/archives/archive_545.asp |title=Denzel Washington Returns to Acting Roots |publisher=Fordham.edu |date=October 28, 2003 |access-date=August 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628183701/http://www.fordham.edu/campus_resources/enewsroom/archives/archive_545.asp |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> At Fordham, he played [[college basketball|collegiate basketball]] as a [[guard (basketball)|guard]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/spurs-coach-sticks-neck-carlesimo-article-1.664620 |first=Frank|last=Isola|title=Spurs Coach Sticks Neck Out for Carlesimo|newspaper=[[The New York Daily News]]|date=June 5, 2003}}</ref> under coach [[P. J. Carlesimo]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/22/sports/pro-basketball-notebook-chicago-s-jordan-jackson-pippen-triangle.html |title=Pro Basketball" Notebook; Chicago's Jordan-Jackson-Pippen Triangle, page 2 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 22, 1998 |access-date=August 14, 2011 |first=Mike |last=Wise}}</ref> After a period of indecision on which major to study and taking a semester off, Washington worked as creative arts director of the overnight summer camp at Camp Sloane YMCA in [[Lakeville, Connecticut]]. He participated in a staff talent show for the campers and a colleague suggested he try acting.<ref>{{cite book|first=Daniel|last=Paisner|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ILdSeSY8FSQC&pg=PA17|title=A Hand to Guide Me|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation|Meredith Books]]|location=Des Moines, Iowa|date=2006|page=17|isbn=978-0-696-23049-3}}</ref>

Returning to Fordham that fall with a renewed purpose, Washington enrolled at the Lincoln Center campus to study acting, where he was cast in the title roles in [[Eugene O'Neill]]'s ''[[The Emperor Jones]]'' and [[Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Othello]]''. He then attended graduate school at the [[American Conservatory Theater]] in San Francisco, California, where he stayed for one year before returning to New York to begin a professional acting career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/artist/denzel-washington-p74843|title=Denzel Washington Biography|website=[[AllMovie.com]]|accessdate=February 13, 2008}}</ref>

==Career==
{{See also|Denzel Washington on screen and stage}}

=== 1976–1989: Early roles and rise to prominence ===
Washington spent the summer of 1976 in [[St. Mary's City, Maryland]], in [[summer stock theater]] performing ''Wings of the Morning'',<ref name="msa.maryland.gov">{{cite magazine|url=http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc5800/sc5881/000001/000000/000293/pdf/msa_sc_5881_1_293.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727190722/http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc5800/sc5881/000001/000000/000293/pdf/msa_sc_5881_1_293.pdf |archive-date=July 27, 2014 |url-status=live|title=Matthias da Sousa: Colonial Maryland's Black, Jewish Assemblyman|first=Susan Rosenfeld|last=Falb|magazine=Maryland Historical Magazine|volume=73|issue=4|date=December 1978}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smcm.edu/archives/documents/StMarysWhenDidTimeline.pdf|title=St. Mary's: A When-Did Timeline|website=St. Mary's Archives|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221145632/http://www.smcm.edu/archives/documents/StMarysWhenDidTimeline.pdf |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |page=30|first1=Janet Butler|last1=Haugaard|first2=Susan G.|last2=Wilkinson|first3=Julia A.|last3=King}}</ref> the Maryland State play, which was written for him by incorporating an African-American character/narrator based loosely on the historical figure from early colonial Maryland, [[Mathias de Sousa]].<ref name="msa.maryland.gov"/>[[File:Denzel Washington.jpg|thumb|Washington at the [[62nd Academy Awards]] (1990), at which he won [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] for the film ''[[Glory (1989 film)|Glory]]'']]

Shortly after graduating from Fordham, Washington made his screen acting debut in the 1977 made-for-television film ''Wilma'' which was a [[docudrama]] about sprinter [[Wilma Rudolph]], and made his first Hollywood appearance in the 1981 film ''[[Carbon Copy (film)|Carbon Copy]]''. He shared a 1982 Distinguished Ensemble Performance [[Obie Award]] for playing Private First Class Melvin Peterson in the [[Off-Broadway]] [[Negro Ensemble Company]] production ''[[A Soldier's Play]]'' which premiered November 20, 1981.<ref>[http://www.lortel.org/LLA_archive/index.cfm?search_by=show&id=1438 ''A Soldier's Play''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050106134119/http://www.lortel.org/LLA_archive/index.cfm?search_by=show&id=1438 |date=January 6, 2005 }}, Lortel Archives</ref> 

A major career break came when he starred as Dr. Phillip Chandler in [[NBC]]'s television hospital drama ''[[St. Elsewhere]]'', which ran from 1982 to 1988. He was one of only a few African-American actors to appear on the series for its entire six-year run. He also appeared in several television, motion picture and stage roles, such as the films ''[[A Soldier's Story]]'' (1984), ''[[The George McKenna Story|Hard Lessons]]'' (1986) and ''[[Power (1986 film)|Power]]'' (1986). In 1987, he starred as South African anti-apartheid political activist [[Stephen Biko]] in [[Richard Attenborough]]'s ''[[Cry Freedom]]'', for which he received a nomination for the [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor]].

In 1989, Washington won the [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor]] for his portrayal of a defiant, self-possessed ex-slave soldier in the film ''[[Glory (1989 film)|Glory]]''. That same year, he appeared in the film ''[[The Mighty Quinn (film)|The Mighty Quinn]]''; and in ''[[For Queen and Country]]'', where he played the conflicted and disillusioned Reuben James, a British soldier who, despite a distinguished military career, returns to a civilian life where racism and inner-city life lead to vigilantism and violence.

=== 1990–1999: Hollywood stardom and acclaim ===
[[File:Denzel Washington in the White House, December 1999 (2).jpg|thumb|Washington at the [[White House]] in1999]]
In the summer of 1990, Washington had appeared in the [[Richard III of England|title role]] of the [[Public Theater]]'s production of [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Richard III (play)|Richard III]]''. Mel Gussow of ''[[The New York Times]]'' praised Washington as "an actor of range and intensity, is expert at projecting a feeling of controlled rage".<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1990/08/17/theater/review-theater-denzel-washington-portrays-shakespeare-s-top-schemer.html|title= Review/Theater; Denzel Washington Portrays Shakespeare's Top Schemer|work= The New York Times|date= August 17, 1990|accessdate= September 27, 2023|last1= Gussow|first1= Mel}}</ref> Also that year Washington starred as Bleek Gilliam in the [[Spike Lee]] film ''[[Mo' Better Blues]]''. Charles Murray of ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' praised Washington's performance as a "taut portrayal of the driven musician" and "like all Lee’s film, Mo’ Better Blues is a real ensemble piece, and the standard of the performances is uniformly excellent: but Washington [and] Lee deserve extra plaudits."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/mo-better-blues-review/|title= Mo Better Blues|website= Empire|date= January 2000|accessdate= September 27, 2023}}</ref> In 1991, he starred as Demetrius Williams in the [[Mira Nair]] directed romantic drama ''[[Mississippi Masala]]'' opposite [[Sarita Choudhury]]. Set primarily in [[Deep South|rural Mississippi]], the film explores [[Miscegenation|interracial romance]] between African Americans and [[Indian Americans]]. Critic [[Roger Ebert]] of ''[[The Chicago Sun-Times]]'' praised the chemistry of the two leads writing, "Washington is an actor of immense and natural charm, and he makes a good match with Sarita Choudhury".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mississippi-masala-1992|title= Mississippi Masala|website= Rogerebert.com|accessdate= September 27, 2023}}</ref>

Washington was reunited with Lee to play one of his most critically acclaimed roles, the [[Malcolm X|title character]] of the historical epic ''[[Malcolm X (1992 film)|Malcolm X]]'' (1992). ''[[The New York Times]]'' gave the film it's Critic's Pick with [[Vincent Canby]] declaring, "In Denzel Washington it also has a fine actor who does for "Malcolm X" what [[Ben Kingsley]] did for "[[Gandhi (film)|Gandhi]]". Mr. Washington not only looks the part, but he also has the psychological heft, the intelligence and the reserve to give the film the dramatic excitement".<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/18/movies/review-film-malcolm-x-as-complex-as-its-subject.html|title= Review/Film; 'Malcolm X,' as Complex as Its Subject|work= The New York Times|date= November 18, 1992|accessdate= September 27, 2023|last1= Canby|first1= Vincent}}</ref> His performance as the [[Black nationalism|Black nationalist]] leader earned him another nomination for the [[Academy Award for Best Actor]]. Also that year, he established the production company Mundy Lane Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web| last1 = Laski| first1 = Beth| title = Mundy lane sees a full load ahead| work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]| access-date = February 9, 2019| date = March 6, 1997| url = https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/mundy-lane-sees-a-full-load-ahead-1117343128/}}</ref> The next year, he played the lawyer defending a gay man with AIDS played by [[Tom Hanks]] in the [[Jonathan Demme]] film ''[[Philadelphia (film)|Philadelphia]]'' (1993). ''[[Sight & Sound]]'' wrote, "Casting Washington in the lead guaranteed the film the black audience that otherwise might not have had much interest in the problems of a rich white homosexual with Aids. But Aids is rampant in inner cities, where it attacks not just gay men, but IV drug users and women."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www2.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/sight-sound-magazine/features/philadelphia-un-packaging-hollywood-aids-drama-tom-hanks-denzel-washington-jonathan-demme|title= Philadelphia|website= BFI|date= May 9, 2017|accessdate= September 27, 2023}}</ref>

During the early and mid-1990s, Washington starred in several successful thrillers, including ''[[The Pelican Brief (film)|The Pelican Brief]]'' with [[Julia Roberts]] in 1993, and ''[[Crimson Tide (film)|Crimson Tide]]'' with [[Gene Hackman]] in 1995, as well as the Shakespearean comedy ''[[Much Ado About Nothing (1993 film)|Much Ado About Nothing]]'' directed by [[Kenneth Branagh]]. In 1996, he played a U.S. Army officer who investigates a female chopper commander's worthiness for the Medal of Honor in ''[[Courage Under Fire]]'', opposite [[Meg Ryan]]. ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' wrote, "All of [the] predicaments are palpably and convincingly registered through Washington’s probing, reserved and sensitively drawn performance in a role that, in another era, might have been played by the likes of a [[Montgomery Clift]] or [[William Holden]]."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/1995/film/reviews/courage-under-fire-1200444775/|title= Courage Under Fire|website= Variety|date= January 1996|accessdate= September 27, 2023}}</ref>

In 1996, he starred alongside [[Whitney Houston]], and [[Courtney B. Vance]] in the romantic comedy ''[[The Preacher's Wife]]'' directed by [[Penny Marshall]]. The film is a remake of the 1947 film ''[[The Bishop's Wife]]'' starring [[Cary Grant]], [[Loretta Young]], and [[David Niven]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Goldstein|first=Patrick|title=Praying for Crossover Appeal|date=December 11, 1996|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-12-11-ca-7763-story.html|access-date=June 16, 2015}}</ref> In 1998, Washington starred in Spike Lee's film ''[[He Got Game]]''. Washington played a father serving a six-year prison term when the prison warden offers him a temporary parole to convince his top-ranked high-school basketball player son ([[Ray Allen]]) to sign with the governor's alma mater, Big State. The film was Washington's third collaboration with Lee.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/GOING+FOURTH+DENZEL+WASHINGTON+AND+SPIKE+LEE+ON+THEIR+QUARTET+OF...-a0143596899 |title=Going Fourth Denzel Washington And Spike Lee On Their Quartet Of Movies |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |access-date=August 14, 2011 |archive-date=January 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126070723/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/GOING+FOURTH+DENZEL+WASHINGTON+AND+SPIKE+LEE+ON+THEIR+QUARTET+OF...-a0143596899 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The same year he starred in [[Gregory Hoblit]]'s supernatural horror film [[Fallen (1998 film)|''Fallen'']] (1998) with [[John Goodman]], [[James Gandolfini]], and [[Donald Sutherland]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1080990-fallen|title= Fallen (1998)|website= [[Rotten Tomatoes]]|accessdate= March 23, 2024}}</ref>

In 1999, Washington acted alongside [[Angelina Jolie]] in the crime thriller ''[[The Bone Collector]]''. That same year, Washington starred in ''[[The Hurricane (1999 film)|The Hurricane]]'', a film about [[boxing|boxer]] [[Rubin Carter|Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter]], whose conviction for triple murder was overturned after he spent almost 20 years in prison. Although less successful at the box office than ''The Bone Collector'', ''Hurricane'' had a better reception from critics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bone_collector|title=''The Bone Collector''|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=November 5, 1999 |accessdate=January 12, 2022}}</ref> He received a Silver Bear Award at the [[Berlin International Film Festival]] for his role as Carter. [[Roger Ebert]], film critic for ''[[Chicago Sun-Times|The Chicago Sun-Times]]'', wrote of Washington's performance, "This is one of Denzel Washington's great performances, on a par with his work in ''Malcolm X''."<ref>{{cite web|first=Roger|last=Ebert|authorlink=Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-hurricane-2000|title= The Hurricane movie review|newspaper=[[The Chicago Sun-Times]]|via=[[Rogerebert.com]]|date=January 7, 2000|accessdate= June 6, 2021}}</ref>

=== 2000–2009: Established actor and action roles ===
[[File:Denzel_Washington_cropped_02.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Washington in 2000]]
At the [[57th Golden Globe Awards]] in 2000, Washington won the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama]] for his work in ''[[The Hurricane (1999 film)|The Hurricane]]''. He was the first black actor to win the award since [[Sidney Poitier]] in 1963.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/all-ready-for-a-storm-1.243614 |title=All ready for a storm |work=Herald Scotland |date=March 23, 2000 |access-date=February 24, 2011}}</ref><ref name="google2">{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KT0DAAAAMBAJ&q=golden%20globe%20black%20actor&pg=PA60 |title=Denzel Washington and Halle Berry Win Golden Globe Awards|work=Jet |date=February 7, 2000 |access-date=February 24, 2011 }}</ref> Mick LaSalle of the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' declared, "Washington gives a penetrating portrait of life at its most extreme. He takes the viewer into the mind of a man experiencing confinement and physical deprivation. More profoundly, he shows what it's like to deal every day with the torments of wild rage and impotence, despair and hope."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/A-Full-Force-Hurricane-Denzel-Washington-2812757.php|title= A Full-Force 'Hurricane' / Denzel Washington creates indelible images in emotional biopic|website= San Francisco Chronicle|date= January 7, 2000|accessdate= August 25, 2023}}</ref> In 2000, he portrayed [[Herman Boone]], the high school football coach in the Disney sports drama film ''[[Remember the Titans]]'' which grossed over US$100 million in the U.S.<ref name="Box Office Mojo">{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=rememberthetitans.htm |title=Remember the Titans (2000) |website=Box Office Mojo |date=January 28, 2001 |access-date=August 14, 2011}}</ref> Andrew O'Hehir of ''[[Salon (website)|Salon]]'' wrote, "Washington is of course the linchpin of ''Remember the Titans''; he's a commanding actor in a commanding role, and as memorable as he was in ''The Hurricane''.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.salon.com/2000/09/29/titans/|title= Remember the Titans|website= The Hollywood Reporter|date= September 29, 2000|accessdate= September 27, 2023}}</ref>

Washington starred in the [[Antoine Fuqua]] directed crime thriller ''[[Training Day]]'' (2001) acting opposite [[Ethan Hawke]]. He portrayed [[Detective Alonzo Harris]], a [[Police corruption in the United States|corrupt]] [[Los Angeles Police Department|Los Angeles cop]]. [[Roger Ebert]] wrote of his performance, "For Denzel Washington, [it is] a rare villainous role; he doesn't look, sound or move like his usual likable characters...he's like a monster from a horror film, unkillable and implacable."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/training-day-2001|title= Training Day movie review|website= Rogerebert.com|accessdate= September 27, 2023}}</ref> Washington won an [[Academy Award for Best Actor]] becoming the second African-American actor to win the category after Poitier, who was presented with an [[Honorary Academy Award]] the same night.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.oscars.org/collection-highlights/sidney-poitier|title=Sidney Poitier|date=September 27, 2014|work=Oscars.org {{!}} Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|access-date=February 4, 2018|language=en}}</ref> He also received nominations for the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama]] and the [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role]].

In 2002, he starred in the [[Nick Cassavettes]] directed healthcare-themed drama ''[[John Q.]]'' (2002) portraying John Quincy Archibald. Washington acted opposite [[James Woods]], [[Robert Duvall]], and [[Ray Liotta]]. The film was a financial success but received mixed reviews with critics praising Washington's performances. [[BBC]] film critic Neil Smith wrote, "What credibility there is comes from Washington's intense, humane performance and the supporting players' sterling attempts to rise above the stereotypical roles with which they have been saddled."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2002/04/18/john_q_2002_review.shtml|title= John Q|website= BBC|accessdate= September 27, 2023}}</ref> That same year Washington directed his first film, a well-reviewed drama called ''[[Antwone Fisher (film)|Antwone Fisher]]'' (2002), in which he also co-starred as a Navy psychiatrist. Stephen Holden of ''[[The New York Times]]'' praised his direction writing, "Mr. Washington shows a confident grasp of cinematic narrative in a hearty meat-and-potatoes style. But the most remarkable aspect of his behind-the-camera debut is his brilliantly surefooted handling of actors." He also praised his acting adding, "[He] is so sensitively reactive that his performance seems more lived than acted".<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/19/movies/film-review-a-director-and-his-hero-find-answers-in-the-details.html|title= A Director and his hero find answers in the details|work= The New York Times|date= December 19, 2002|page=E1|accessdate= September 27, 2023|last1= Holden|first1= Stephen}}</ref>

[[File:DenzelWashingtonMay05.jpg|thumb|right|Washington after a performance of ''Julius Caesar'' in May 2005]]
Between 2003 and 2006, Washington appeared in a series of thrillers that performed generally well at the box office, including [[Carl Franklin]]'s ''[[Out of Time (2003 film)|Out of Time]]'' opposite [[Eva Mendez]] and [[Tony Scott]]'s ''[[Man on Fire (2004 film)|Man on Fire]]'' alongside [[Dakota Fanning]]. In 2004 he acted opposite [[Meryl Streep]] in the remake of the [[The Manchurian Candidate (1962 film)|1962 film of the same name]], ''[[The Manchurian Candidate (2004 film)|The Manchurian Candidate]]''.<ref name=boxoffice>{{cite web |url= https://www.boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?id=denzelwashington.htm |title= Denzel Washington Movie Box Office Results |website= [[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date= March 20, 2007}}</ref> In 2006, he starred in ''[[Inside Man]]'', a [[Spike Lee]]-directed bank heist thriller co-starring [[Jodie Foster]] and [[Clive Owen]]. [[Todd McCarthy]] of ''[[Variety (website)|Variety]]'' wrote, it's "flashy cast, clever script and vibrant showcasing of New York City are strong plusses for Spike Lee's most mainstream studio venture".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2006/film/awards/inside-man-1200517643/|title= Inside Man|website= Variety|date= March 18, 2006|accessdate= September 27, 2023}}</ref> Later that year he starred in the [[Time travel in fiction|time travel]] movie ''[[Deja Vu (2006 film)|Déjà Vu]]'' released in November.

In 2005, he was back onstage playing [[Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger|Brutus]] in the [[Broadway theater|Broadway]] revival of ''[[Julius Caesar (play)|Julius Caesar]]''. Theatre critic [[Ben Brantley]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote, "Washington does not embarrass himself, as leading citizens of Hollywood have been known to do on Broadway. But even brilliantined in the glow of his inescapable fame, he can't help getting lost amid the wandering, mismatched crowd and the heavy topical artillery that have been assembled here."<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/04/theater/reviews/a-bigname-brutus-in-a-caldron-of-chaos.html|title= A Big-Name Brutus in a Caldron of Chaos|work= The New York Times|date= April 4, 2005|accessdate= September 27, 2023|last1= Brantley|first1= Ben}}</ref> Despite mixed reviews, the production's limited run was a consistent sell-out.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ben|last=Brantley|authorlink=Ben Brantley|url=http://theater2.nytimes.com/2005/04/04/theater/reviews/04caes.html|title=A Big-Name Brutus in a Cauldron of Chaos|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=April 4, 2005}}</ref> In 2007, he co-starred with [[Russell Crowe]] for the second time (the first was 1995's ''[[Virtuosity]]'') in [[Ridley Scott]]'s crime drama ''[[American Gangster (film)|American Gangster]]'' for which he received a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama]] nomination. He also directed and starred in the drama ''[[The Great Debaters]]'' with [[Forest Whitaker]]. He next appeared in Tony Scott's 2009 film ''[[The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009 film)|The Taking of Pelham 123]]'' (a remake of [[The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974 film)|the 1974 thriller]] of the same name), where he played New York City subway security chief Walter Garber opposite [[John Travolta]]'s villain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1111422/|title=The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3|date=June 12, 2009|via=IMDb}}</ref>

=== 2010–2019: Return to theater and ''The Equalizer'' trilogy ===
[[File:Denzel Washington og Anne Hathaway IMG 6550b.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Washington with [[Anne Hathaway]] at the [[Nobel Peace Prize Concert]] in 2010]]
Washington returned to Broadway playing Troy Maxson, opposite [[Viola Davis]], in the revival of [[August Wilson]]'s ''[[Fences (play)|Fences]]'' (2010). [[Ben Brantley]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote, "Mr. Washington has the fluid naturalness we associate with good screen actors... face and stance alone provide fascinating (and damning) glimpses into Troy’s attitudes toward his son from an earlier relationships".<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/theater/reviews/27fences.html|title= It's No More Mr. Nice Guy for This Everyman|work= The New York Times|date= April 26, 2010|accessdate= September 27, 2023|last1= Brantley|first1= Ben}}</ref> Washington won the [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play]] on June 13, 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/05/04/2010-tony-award-nominations-denzel-washington-scarlett-johansson-earn-nods/|title=2010 Tony Award Nominations: Denzel Washington, Scarlett Johansson Earn Nods|access-date=May 4, 2010|date=May 4, 2010|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|first=Christopher John|last=Farley}}</ref> That same year, Washington starred in ''[[The Book of Eli]]'' (2010), a post-apocalyptic action-drama set in the near future. Also in 2010, he starred as a veteran railroad engineer in the action film ''[[Unstoppable (2010 film)|Unstoppable]]'', about an unmanned, half-mile-long runaway freight train carrying dangerous cargo. The film was his fifth and final collaboration with director Tony Scott, following ''[[Crimson Tide (film)|Crimson Tide]]'' (1995), ''[[Man on Fire (2004 film)|Man on Fire]]'' (2004), ''[[Déjà Vu (2006 film)|Déjà Vu]]'' (2006) and ''[[The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009 film)|The Taking of Pelham 123]]'' (2009).

In 2012, Washington starred in ''[[Flight (2012 film)|Flight]]'', for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as an alcoholic airline pilot facing investigation for his part in a plane crash. He co-starred with [[Ryan Reynolds]] in ''[[Safe House (2012 film)|Safe House]]'', where he prepared for his role by subjecting himself to a torture session that included [[waterboarding]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Arienne|last=Thompson|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2012/02/washington-waterboarded-while-filming-/1|title=Denzel Washington waterboarded while filming|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=February 9, 2012|accessdate=July 13, 2013}}</ref> In 2013, Washington starred in ''[[2 Guns]]'', alongside [[Mark Wahlberg]]. From April to June 2014, Washington played the leading role in the Broadway production of [[Lorraine Hansberry]]'s classic drama ''[[A Raisin in the Sun]]'', directed by [[Kenny Leon]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Denzel Washington Heads Back To Broadway In 'A Raisin In The Sun'|url=https://deadline.com/2013/08/denzel-washington-heads-back-to-broadway-in-a-raisin-in-the-sun-554987/|access-date=August 2, 2013|newspaper=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=August 1, 2013}}</ref> The show received positive reviews and won the 2014 [[Tony Award]] for Best Revival of a Play.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tony-Winning Revival of ''A Raisin in the Sun'' Plays Final Performance Tonight|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/tony-winning-revival-of-a-raisin-in-the-sun-plays-final-performance-tonight-322471|access-date=October 15, 2014|newspaper=playbill.com|date=June 15, 2014}}</ref> That same year he starred in ''[[The Equalizer (film)|The Equalizer]]'' (2014), an action [[thriller film]] directed by [[Antoine Fuqua]] and written by [[Richard Wenk]], based on the [[The Equalizer (1985 TV series)|television series of same name]] starring [[Edward Woodward]].<ref name="ScreenRant">{{cite web|first=Sandy|last=Schaefer|date=October 25, 2012|url=https://screenrant.com/denzel-washington-equalizer-directors|title=Denzel Washington's 'Equalizer' Secures Start Date; Lining Up Directors|website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref> He reprised his role in his first sequel, ''[[The Equalizer 2]]'' (2018) and the third and final sequel ''[[The Equalizer 3]]'' (2023).

In 2016, Washington starred in ''[[The Magnificent Seven (2016 film)|The Magnificent Seven]]'', a remake of the [[The Magnificent Seven|1960 western film of the same name]], alongside [[Chris Pratt]], [[Ethan Hawke]], [[Vincent D'Onofrio]], [[Lee Byung-hun]], [[Manuel Garcia-Rulfo]], [[Martin Sensmeier]], [[Haley Bennett]], and [[Peter Sarsgaard]]. [[Principal photography]] began on May 18, 2015, in north [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]]. The film premiered on September 8 at the [[2016 Toronto International Film Festival]], and was released in the United States in conventional and [[IMAX]] theaters on September 23, 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-37307798|title=Toronto 2016: Magnificent Seven diversity 'not a statement', says director|first=Tim|last=Masters|date=September 9, 2016|website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> In ''The Magnificent Seven'', Washington plays Sam Chisolm ("the Bounty Hunter"), a duly sworn warrant officer from [[Wichita, Kansas]].<ref name="CB">{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/2016/09/03/the-magnificent-seven-chris-pratt-and-denzel-washington-characte/|title=The Magnificent Seven Chris Pratt And Denzel Washington Character Vignettes|date=September 3, 2016|author=Jay Jayson|work=Comicbook.com|access-date=September 7, 2016}}</ref> His character was renamed from [[Chris Adams (character)|Chris Adams]] (played by [[Yul Brynner]] in the original film) to Sam Chisolm.<ref name="IM">{{cite web|url=https://www.inverse.com/article/20761-magnificent-seven-remake-review-racial-reclamation-rides|title='The Magnificent Seven' Isn't a Remake. It's a Reclamation.|date=September 8, 2016|first=Jordan|last=Zakarin|work=[[Inverse (website)|Inverse]]|access-date=September 9, 2016}}</ref> It is Washington's first Western film.<ref name="EWW">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/08/11/magnificent-seven-chris-pratt-denzel-washington|title=The Magnificent Seven: Chris Pratt, Denzel Washington share favorite Westerns|date=August 11, 2016|first=Darren|last=Franich|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=September 7, 2016}}</ref> Washington did not watch Westerns growing up, as it was the end of the Western era in the movies. Moreover, he and his siblings were barred from going to the cinema by his father, a minister in a church. They grew up watching Biblical films instead, like ''[[King of Kings (1961 film)|King of Kings]]'' and ''[[The Ten Commandments (1956 film)|The Ten Commandments]]'', although he has said that he watched portions of the shows ''[[Rawhide (TV series)|Rawhide]]'' and ''[[Bonanza]]''.<ref name="EWW" /><ref name="THRV">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/venice-denzel-washington-director-antoine-927318|title=Venice: Denzel Washington, Director Antoine Fuqua Talk Getting Into Character, Politics in 'Magnificent Seven'|date=September 10, 2016|first=Ariston|last=Anderson|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=September 10, 2016}}</ref> He did not view the [[The Magnificent Seven|original film]] in preparation, but has watched ''[[Seven Samurai]]''.<ref name="EWW" /> Fuqua flew to New York City to negotiate with Washington, who accepted the offer.<ref name="Q&A">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/toronto-how-antoine-fuqua-persuaded-925605|title=Toronto: How Antoine Fuqua Persuaded Denzel Washington to Join 'Magnificent Seven' (Q&A)|date=September 8, 2016|first=Rebecca|last=Ford|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=September 8, 2016}}</ref><ref name="TW">{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/why-magnificent-seven-may-be-hollywoods-first-color-blind-blockbuster/|title=Why 'Magnificent Seven' May Be Hollywood's First Color-Blind Blockbuster|date=September 8, 2016|first=Sharon|last=Waxman|work=[[The Wrap]]|access-date=September 9, 2016}}</ref>

[[File:The Equalizer 08 (15310534581).jpg|thumb|Washington at the premiere of ''[[The Equalizer (film)|The Equalizer]]'' in 2014]]
In 2016, Washington directed the film ''[[Fences (film)|Fences]]'', co-starring [[Viola Davis]] and [[Stephen McKinley Henderson]] and based on [[August Wilson]]'s [[Fences (play)|play of the same name]], with a script by Wilson. Set in 1950s Pittsburgh, Washington plays a former Negro league baseball player working as a garbage collector who struggles to provide for his family and come to terms with the events of his life. The film was released on December 16, 2016, by [[Paramount Pictures]]. Owen Gleiberman of ''[[Variety (website)|Variety]]'' wrote, "Washington, as both actor and director, gets the conversation humming with a speed and alacrity that keeps the audience jazzed...Washington tears through it with a joyful ferocity, like a man possessed."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/fences-review-denzel-washington-1201921332/|title= Fences review|website= Variety|date= November 22, 2016|accessdate= September 27, 2023}}</ref> For his performance, Washington was nominated in the Best Actor category for a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama|Golden Globe Award]], a [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role|Screen Actors Guild Award]], and an [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Academy Award]]. The film was nominated for three other Oscars, including [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]] and [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]], and won Davis her first Oscar, in the [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actress]] category.

The following year, Washington starred in the [[legal drama]] film ''[[Roman J. Israel, Esq.]]'' (2017). [[Peter Bradshaw]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' wrote, "[He]'s a star player, styling out his character’s complicated and tricky mix of attributes...However contrived, this character is always fully and comfortably inhabited, and Washington brings off the funny moments".<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/feb/01/roman-j-israel-esq-review-denzel-washington-colin-farrell-dan-gilroy|title= Roman J Israel Esq|website= the Guardian|date= February 2018|accessdate= September 27, 2023|last1= Bradshaw|first1= Peter}}</ref> While the film received mixed reviews, his performance was praised by critics and led to nominations for a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama|Golden Globe Award]], a [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role|Screen Actors Guild Award]] and an [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Academy Award]], Washington's ninth Oscar nomination overall, and his sixth for Best Actor.

Beginning March 22, 2018, Washington starred as Theodore "Hickey" Hickman in a Broadway revival of [[Eugene O'Neill]]'s ''[[The Iceman Cometh]]''. The production, directed by [[George C. Wolfe]], began regular performances April 26 and ran for 14 weeks.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/21/theater/denzel-washington-iceman-cometh-broadway.html|title=Denzel Washington to Star in 'Iceman Cometh' on Broadway|last=Haigney|first=Sophie|date=August 21, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=August 22, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Washington received positive reviews with Alexis Soloski of ''[[The Guardian]]'' writing, "For most of it, Washington is playing Washington, letting his good looks and irrepressible charm do most of the character work, though the play’s most exciting moments are when he lets that charm falter (something he’s also been exploring in his recent film work, too) showing something uglier and more ravaged underneath."<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/apr/26/the-iceman-cometh-review-denzel-washington-mixed-return-to-broadway#:~:text=For%20most%20of%20it%2C%20Washington,something%20uglier%20and%20more%20ravaged|title= The Iceman Cometh review – Denzel Washington's mixed return to Broadway|website= The Guardian|date= April 26, 2018|accessdate= August 25, 2023|last1= Soloski|first1= Alexis}}</ref>

===2020–present===
[[File:Denzel Washington at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival 04 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Denzel Washington at the [[2024 Toronto International Film Festival]].]]
In 2020, he produced the [[Netflix]] [[Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (film)|film adaptation]] of the [[August Wilson]] play ''[[Ma Rainey's Black Bottom]]'' starring [[Chadwick Boseman]] and [[Viola Davis]]. The film was directed by [[George C. Wolfe]] and received positive reviews. The following year he portrayed Deputy Sheriff Joe "Deke" Deacon in the crime thriller ''[[The Little Things (2021 film)|The Little Things]]'' acting opposite [[Rami Malek]] and [[Jared Leto]]. The film was released during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and was released in theaters and on [[HBO Max]]. Also in 2021, Washington portrayed the [[Macbeth (character)|titular character]] in the [[The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021 film)|2021 film adaptation]] of the [[William Shakespeare]] tragedy ''[[Macbeth]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/video/the-tragedy-of-macbeth-teaser-denzel-washington-frances-mcdormand-joel-coen-apple-a24/|title='The Tragedy Of Macbeth' Teaser: Denzel Washington & Frances McDormand Take On Iconic Shakespeare Duo In Joel Coen Film|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Valerie|last=Complex|date=September 21, 2021|access-date=September 21, 2021}}</ref> He received universal acclaim for his performance and was nominated for several awards, including an [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Academy Award]], a [[Golden Globe Award]], and a [[Screen Actors Guild Award]]. That same year, Washington directed the drama ''[[A Journal for Jordan]]'', based on the memoir ''A Journal for Jordan: A Story of Love and Honor'' by [[Dana Canedy]]. It received a wide theatrical release on December 25, 2021<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/denzel-washington-a-journal-for-jordan-christmas-release-sony-marvel-dates-1234861038/|title='A Journal For Jordan' Heads To Christmas; Sony Also Dates Untitled Marvel Pics|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|website=Deadline|date=October 22, 2021|access-date=October 24, 2021}}</ref> and received mixed reviews from critics.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_journal_for_jordan|title= A Journal for Jordan|website= [[Rotten Tomatoes]]|accessdate= August 30, 2024}}</ref> 

In 2024, Washington starred in [[Ridley Scott]]'s epic historical drama ''[[Gladiator II]]'' alongside [[Paul Mescal]], [[Pedro Pascal]], and [[Connie Nielsen]]. The film is a sequel to Scott's ''[[Gladiator (2000 film)|Gladiator]]'' (2000).<ref>{{cite web|url= https://deadline.com/2023/03/denzel-washington-gladiator-sequel-cast-paul-mescal-ridley-scott-1235302321/|title= Denzel Washington Reuniting With Ridley Scott On 'Gladiator' Sequel At Paramount|website= [[Deadline Hollywood]]|date= March 17, 2023|accessdate= August 25, 2023}}</ref> Washington's performance was described as scene-stealing and the standout aspect of the film, earning a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture|Golden Globe Award]] nomination.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gladiator II {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gladiator_ii |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}}</ref> In the same year, Washington served as a producer of ''[[The Piano Lesson (2024 film)|The Piano Lesson]]'', the [[Netflix]] film adaptation of the [[August Wilson]] [[The Piano Lesson|play of the same name]] directed by his son [[Malcolm Washington]] and starring his other son [[John David Washington]].

In 2025 Washington returned to Broadway portraying the [[Othello (character)|title role]] in a revival of [[William Shakespeare]]'s play ''[[Othello]]'' starring opposite [[Jake Gyllenhaal]] as [[Iago]]. [[Kenny Leon]] will helm over the production, having previously directed Washington in the Broadway revivals of ''[[Fences (play)|Fences]]'' and ''[[A Raisin in the Sun]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/06/theater/denzel-washington-jake-gyllenhaal-othello-broadway.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ak0.XrMM.jka7mN-woG4Q|title= Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal to Lead Broadway 'Othello'|work=The New York Times|date= March 6, 2024|accessdate= March 6, 2024|last1= Paulson|first1= Michael}}</ref> The production and Washington's performance earned mixed reviews from critics.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://didtheylikeit.com/shows/othello-3/|title= Othello|website= Didtheylikeit|accessdate= March 24, 2025}}</ref> Adrian Horton from ''[[The Guardian]]'' described the production as "underwhelming" and wrote of his performance, "[He] has moments of sublime melody...the kind of rhapsodic deliveries that feel worth whatever price of admission, but the overall tone of his performance is one of perfunctory hyper-competence."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/mar/24/othello-review-denzel-washington-jake-gyllenhaal|title= Othello review – Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal’s underwhelming blockbuster|website= [[The Guardian]]|accessdate= March 24, 2025}}</ref> David Rooney of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' noted Washington's [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] "magnetism" and "swaggering authority" but added, "there’s little evidence of a driving force behind his performance, which is symptomatic of the production overall."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/othello-theater-review-denzel-washington-jake-gyllenhaal-shakespeare-broadway-1236170552/|title= ‘Othello’ Theater Review: Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal Bring Star Wattage to Middling Revival Otherwise Short on Electricity|website= [[The Hollywood Reporter]]|accessdate= March 24, 2025}}</ref>

That same year, Washington reunited with [[Spike Lee]] on the [[police procedural]] drama film ''[[Highest 2 Lowest]]'', a remake of the 1963 [[Akira Kurosawa]] film ''[[High and Low (1963 film)|High and Low]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2024/film/news/denzel-washington-spike-lee-high-and-low-kurosawa-remake-1235902630/|title= Denzel Washington and Spike Lee Reuniting to Remake Kurosawa's 'High and Low' With A24 and Apple|website= Variety|date= February 8, 2024|accessdate= March 23, 2024}}</ref> The film will be a joint production with [[A24]] and [[Apple TV+]] and will also star [[Jeffrey Wright]] and [[Ilfenesh Hadera]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2024/film/news/jeffrey-wright-spike-lee-high-and-low-1235945929/|title= Jeffrey Wright Joins Denzel Washington in Spike Lee's 'High and Low'|website= Variety|date= March 19, 2024|accessdate= March 23, 2024}}</ref> Washington announced in November, that he would be starring in ''[[Black Panther 3]]'', set in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Werpin |first=Alex |date=November 12, 2024 |title='Black Panther' 3: Denzel Washington Says Ryan Coogler Is Writing Role for Him in Next Film |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/black-panther-3-denzel-washington-ryan-coogler-writing-role-next-film-mcu-franchise-1236059199/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112142735/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/black-panther-3-denzel-washington-ryan-coogler-writing-role-next-film-mcu-franchise-1236059199/ |archive-date=November 12, 2024 |access-date=November 12, 2024 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> Washington was also cast as [[Carthage|Carthaginian]] general [[Hannibal]] in an upcoming [[Netflix]] film; the decision was controversial in [[Tunisia]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tondo |first=Lorenzo |date=December 11, 2023 |title=Denzel Washington's casting as Hannibal in Netflix film sparks race controversy in Tunisia |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/11/denzel-washingtons-casting-as-hannibal-in-netflix-film-sparks-race-controversy-in-tunisia |access-date=September 8, 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vivarelli |first=Nick |date=December 11, 2023 |title=Denzel Washington's Casting as Ancient General Hannibal in Antoine Fuqua Netflix Film Sparks Controversy in Tunisia |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/global/denzel-washington-hannibal-casting-tunisia-controversy-1235832901/ |access-date=September 8, 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Style and influence ==
Washington has stated that he considers himself a [[stage actor]] and not a [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] star.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9Gsd12Znb8|title= Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal on their Broadway "Othello"|website= [[CBS Sunday Morning]]|accessdate= March 23, 2025}}</ref> He has also cited [[James Earl Jones]] as an influence saying, "he is who I wanted to be" adding "He’s my hero. My college theater career started because of [Jones]".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2024/film/news/denzel-washington-james-earl-jones-tribute-1236139578/|title= Denzel Washington Pays Tribute to James Earl Jones: ‘He Was Who I Wanted to Be’|website= Variety|accessdate= March 23, 2025}}</ref> Washington also cited [[Sidney Poitier]] as an acting inspiration saying, "He was a mentor, needless to say, an example, a friend".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://people.com/movies/denzel-washington-credits-sidney-poitier-with-inspiring-him-to-keep-acting/|title= Denzel Washington Credits Sidney Poitier with Inspiring Him in Early Career: 'Kept Me Going'|website= People Magazine|accessdate= March 23, 2025}}</ref> He has also mentioned [[Morgan Freeman]] as being an influence.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/denzel-washington-tense-first-encounter-with-morgan-freeman/|title= Denzel Washington’s tense first encounter with Morgan Freeman|website= [[Far Out Magazine]]|accessdate= March 23, 2025}}</ref>

Washington has influenced and mentored numerous actors such as [[Chadwick Boseman]],<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.buzzfeed.com/marycolussi/celebrity-mentor-mentee-relationships|title= 16 Famous People Who Mentored Their Fellow Celebrities And Proved The Value Of Paying It Forward|website= Buzzfeed|accessdate= March 23, 2025}}</ref> [[Mahershala Ali]],<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5ZjpQFWhxo|title= Mahershala Ali on Denzel Washington's Influence|website= Youtube|accessdate= March 23, 2025}}</ref> [[Michael B. Jordan]],<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.movieguide.org/news-articles/hes-brought-the-best-out-of-me-michael-b-jordan-reflects-on-relationship-with-denzel-washington.html#:~:text=The%20pair%20finally%20got%20the,but%20also%20through%20personal%20support.|title= ‘He’s Brought The Best Out Of Me’: Michael B. Jordan Reflects On Relationship With Denzel Washington
|website= MovieGuide|accessdate= March 23, 2025}}</ref> [[Jamie Foxx]],<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkim-lcCYXI|title= Jamie Foxx Shares How Great Denzel Washington Has Been For Him And Other Young Actors and Actresses|website= Youtube|accessdate= March 23, 2025}}</ref> [[Will Smith]], [[Jake Gyllenhaal]],<ref>{{cite web|url= https://laist.com/shows/the-frame/the-frame-first-how-jake-gyllenhaal-was-inspired-by-denzel-washington-to-become-an-actor|title= The Frame 'First': How Jake Gyllenhaal was inspired by Denzel Washington to become an actor|website= LAist|accessdate= March 23, 2024}}</ref> [[Austin Butler]],<ref>{{cite web|url= https://people.com/movies/austin-butler-calls-mentor-denzel-washington-the-godfather-of-acting/|title= Austin Butler Calls Mentor Denzel Washington 'the Godfather of Acting'|website= People Magazine|accessdate= March 23, 2025}}</ref> and [[Glen Powell]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/owe-why-denzel-washington-blunt-192247141.html|title= Yahoo News|accessdate= March 23, 2025}}</ref>

== Acting credits and accolades ==
{{Main| Denzel Washington on screen and stage|List of awards and nominations received by Denzel Washington}}

Washington has received numerous accolades including two [[Academy Awards]], a [[Tony Awards|Tony Award]], three [[Golden Globe Awards]], a [[Screen Actors Guild Awards|Screen Actors Guild Award]] and two Silver Bears. He has also received nominations for a [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]] and two [[Primetime Emmy Awards]]. Washington has also received numerous honorary awards such as the [[Britannia Awards|Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award]] in 2007, the [[Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award]] in 2016 and the [[AFI Life Achievement Award]] in 2019. He was honored with the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] in 2025. He is also a 13-time [[NAACP Image Awards|NAACP Image Award]] winner with four consecutive wins in the [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture|Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture]] award category from 1993–1997 and again from 2000–2003.<ref>{{citation |url= https://www.bet.com/article/jvbic4/naacp-image-awards-2022-denzel-washington-brightest-moments |title= Denzel Washington on BET Buzz 2020 |website=BET Interactive LLC |date= January 18, 2022 |access-date=August 31, 2023}}</ref>

Over his career he has been recognized by the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] for the following performances:
{| class=wikitable
|-
! scope="col" style="width:5em;" | Year
! scope="col" style="width:15em;"| Category
! scope="col" style="width:25em;"| Nominated work
! scope="col" style="width:5em;" | Result
! {{Refh}}
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[60th Academy Awards|1987]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]]
| ''[[Cry Freedom]]''
| {{nom}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1988|title= 60th Academy Awards|website= [[Academy Awards|Oscars.org]]|date= December 4, 2015|accessdate= August 26, 2023}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[62nd Academy Awards|1989]]
| ''[[Glory (1989 film)|Glory]]''
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1990|title= 62nd Academy Awards|website= [[Academy Awards|Oscars.org]]|date= October 5, 2014|accessdate= August 26, 2023}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[65th Academy Awards|1992]]
| rowspan="7" | [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| ''[[Malcolm X (1992 film)|Malcolm X]]''
| {{nom}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1993|title= 65th Academy Awards|website= [[Academy Awards|Oscars.org]]|date= October 4, 2014|accessdate= August 26, 2023}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[72nd Academy Awards|1999]]
| ''[[The Hurricane (1999 film)|The Hurricane]]''
| {{nom}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2000|title= 72nd Academy Awards|website= [[Academy Awards|Oscars.org]]|date= April 22, 2015|accessdate= August 26, 2023}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[74th Academy Awards|2001]]
| ''[[Training Day]]''
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2002|title= 74th Academy Awards|website= [[Academy Awards|Oscars.org]]|date= December 4, 2015|accessdate= August 26, 2023}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[85th Academy Awards|2012]]
| ''[[Flight (2012 film)|Flight]]''
| {{nom}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2013|title= 85th Academy Awards|website= [[Academy Awards|Oscars.org]]|date= October 7, 2014|accessdate= August 26, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| [[89th Academy Awards|2016]]
| ''[[Fences (film)|Fences]]''
| {{nom}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2017|title= 89th Academy Awards|website= [[Academy Awards|Oscars.org]]|date= April 18, 2017|accessdate= August 26, 2023}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[90th Academy Awards|2017]]
| ''[[Roman J. Israel, Esq.]]''
| {{nom}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2018|title= 90th Academy Awards|website= [[Academy Awards|Oscars.org]]|date= April 15, 2019|accessdate= August 26, 2023}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[94th Academy Awards|2021]]
| ''[[The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021 film)|The Tragedy of Macbeth]]''
| {{nom}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2022|title= 94th Academy Awards|website= [[Academy Awards|Oscars.org]]|accessdate= August 26, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|}

==Personal life==
=== Marriage and family ===
[[File:Denzel Washington and Pauletta Washington at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival 05 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Denzel and Pauletta Washington in 2024]]
On June 25, 1983, Washington married Pauletta Pearson, whom he met on the set of his first screen work, the television film ''Wilma''. They have four children: [[John David Washington|John David]], also an actor and a former [[American football|football]] player;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2014/02/dwayne-johnsons-hbo-half-hour-pilot-ballers-picked-up-to-series-683058/ |title=Dwayne Johnson's HBO Half-Hour Pilot 'Ballers' Picked Up To Series |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=February 13, 2014 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=January 15, 2019}}</ref><ref name="espn">{{cite news |url= https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft06/news/story?id=2429264 |title= Denzel Washington's son among Rams signees |editor= Associated Press |editor-link= Associated Press |publisher= [[ESPN]] |date= May 1, 2006 |access-date= March 20, 2007}}</ref> [[Katia Washington|Katia]], who graduated from [[Yale University]] with a Bachelor of Arts in 2010; and twins [[Olivia Washington|Olivia]] and [[Malcolm Washington|Malcolm]]. Malcolm graduated from the [[University of Pennsylvania]] with a degree in film studies, and Olivia played a role in [[Lee Daniels]]'s film ''[[The Butler]]''. Malcolm made his directorial debut with ''[[The Piano Lesson (2024 film)|The Piano Lesson]]'', with Denzel producing and John David starring in it.<ref name=DH1>{{cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |title=Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Danielle Deadwyler & More Set For Netflix's ''The Piano Lesson''; Denzel Washington, Todd Black Producing |url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/samuel-l-jackson-john-david-washington-the-piano-lesson-netflix-movie-1235324261/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=April 13, 2023 |date=April 13, 2023}}</ref> In 1995, Washington and his wife [[Wedding vow renewal ceremony|renewed their wedding vows]] in South Africa with [[Desmond Tutu]] officiating.<ref>[http://www.lovetripper.com/bridalstars/2009/06/denzel-washington-and-wife-celebrate.html "Denzel Washington and Wife Celebrate 27th Wedding Anniversary in Italy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809203908/http://www.lovetripper.com/bridalstars/2009/06/denzel-washington-and-wife-celebrate.html |date=August 9, 2013 }}, LoveTripper.com, June 28, 2009</ref>

=== Religious beliefs ===
Washington is a [[Pentecostal]] [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christian]] and a member of the [[West Angeles Church of God in Christ]], located in Los Angeles.<ref name="lasentinel.net">Brian W. Carter, [https://lasentinel.net/west-angeles-church-of-god-in-christ.html West Angeles Church of God in Christ], lasentinel.net, USA, November 20, 2012</ref> He has considered becoming a preacher.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ojumu|first=Akin|title=The Observer Profile: Denzel Washington|work=[[The Observer]]|date=March 24, 2002 |url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/screen/story/0,6903,673083,00.html|access-date=February 11, 2008}}</ref> He stated in 1999, "A part of me still says, 'Maybe, Denzel, you're supposed to preach. Maybe you're still compromising.' I've had an opportunity to play great men and, through their words, to preach. I take what talent I've been given seriously, and I want to use it for good."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Denzel Washington: 'I Try to Send A Good Message' |magazine=[[Parade Magazine]] |date=December 12, 1999 |url=http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/1999/edition_12-12-1999/Denzel_Washington |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060411214059/http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/1999/edition_12-12-1999/Denzel_Washington |archive-date=April 11, 2006 }}</ref> In 1995, he donated {{US$|2.5{{nbsp}}million}} to help build the new West Angeles Church of God in Christ facility in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17623286.html|title=Magic gives $5 mil., Denzel gives $2.5 mil. to build new West Angeles COGIC facility in Los Angeles|magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|date=November 6, 1995|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812042216/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17623286.html|archive-date=August 12, 2011}}</ref><ref name=Snopes>{{cite web|first1=David|last1=Mikkelson|url=http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/denzel.asp|title=Denzel Washington|website=[[Snopes.com]]|date=February 10, 2005}}</ref> Washington says he reads the Bible daily.<ref>{{cite web|title=The GQ&A: Denzel Washington|url=https://www.gq.com/entertainment/celebrities/201210/denzel-washington-interview-gq-october-2012|last=Hainey|first=Michael|date=September 18, 2012|work=[[GQ]]}}</ref> Washington was baptized and received his ministry license from the Kelly Temple [[Church of God in Christ]] on December 21, 2024.<ref>{{cite magazine | magazine=Essence | last=Stewart | first=Shelby | date=December 22, 2024 | url=https://www.essence.com/entertainment/denze-washington-greatest-role-yet-man-faith/ | title=Denzel Washington Finds His Greatest Role Yet: A Man of Faith}}</ref>

=== Activism and service ===
[[File:42-WHPO-P78052-26A.jpg|thumb|Washington with [[President of the United States|President]] [[Bill Clinton]] in the [[White House Family Theater]] in 1999]]
Washington has served as the national spokesman for [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America]] since 1993<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bgca.org/whoweare/Pages/Board.aspx |title=Board |publisher=Bgca.org |access-date=August 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126083128/http://www.bgca.org/whoweare/Pages/Board.aspx |archive-date=November 26, 2011 }}</ref> and has appeared in public service announcements and awareness campaigns for the organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bgca.org/whoweare/alumni/Pages/BEGREATAlumni.aspx |title=Be Great Alumni |publisher=Bgca.org |access-date=August 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723061318/http://www.bgca.org/whoweare/alumni/Pages/BEGREATAlumni.aspx |archive-date=July 23, 2011 }}</ref> In addition, he has served as a board member for Boys & Girls Clubs of America since 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bet.com/photo-gallery/ffqa7z/just-cause-famous-men-of-impact/mgoa7d|title=Denzel Washington|website=[[BET]]|access-date=June 16, 2015}}</ref> In 2006, for the organization's 100 anniversary, helped put together together with Daniel Paisner, a book that underscores the lesson: “If you want to change the world, start by changing the life of a child”. "''A hand to guide me''" features examples from leaders as they tell their life-changing stories of mentorship, when as youngsters they were guided by a caring adult, which shaped the rest of their life, including over 70 of America's leading personalities in theater, sports, business, and politics such as Presidents [[Jimmy Carter]] and [[Bill Clinton]], [[Whoopi Goldberg]], [[Muhammad Ali]], [[Yogi Berra]], [[Toni Morrison]], [[Cal Ripken Jr.]] and [[Colin Powell]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Denzel Washington: A Hand to Guide Me {{!}} Leading Blog: A Leadership Blog |url=https://www.leadershipnow.com/leadingblog/2006/11/denzel_washington_a_hand_to_gu.html |access-date=October 8, 2024 |website=www.leadershipnow.com}}</ref>

In mid-2004, Washington visited [[Brooke Army Medical Center]] (BAMC) at [[Fort Sam Houston]], where he participated in a [[Purple Heart]] ceremony, presenting medals to three Army soldiers recovering from wounds they received while stationed in Iraq. He also visited the fort's [[Fisher House Foundation|Fisher House]] facilities, and after learning that it had exceeded its capacity, made a substantial donation to the [[Fisher House Foundation]]; this program focuses on building and providing homes for military personnel and their families free of charge while they receive medical care. Washington's other charitable contributions include {{US$|1{{nbsp}}million}} to [[Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund]] in 1995<ref name="People">{{cite web | url=http://www.people.com/people/denzel_washington/ | title=Denzel Washington | work=[[People (magazine)|People]] | date=2016 | access-date=May 15, 2016}}</ref> and {{US$|1{{nbsp}}million}} to [[Wiley College]] to resuscitate the college's debate team.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ragland |first=James |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/state/headlines/20120126-wiley-college-vs.-usc-a-debate-rematch-77-years-in-the-making.ece |title=Wiley College vs. USC: A debate rematch 77 years in the making|newspaper=[[The Dallas Morning News]] |date=January 26, 2012 |access-date=August 20, 2013}}</ref>

The [[Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia]] (FARC) 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 contractor]]s the group had held captive from 2003 to 2008.<ref name="cbc">{{cite news |url= http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/colombian-rebels-ask-denzel-washington-to-help-broker-hostage-exchange-1.627352 |title= Colombian rebels ask Denzel Washington to help broker hostage exchange |website= [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC Arts]] |date= November 10, 2006 |access-date= March 28, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140328211009/http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/colombian-rebels-ask-denzel-washington-to-help-broker-hostage-exchange-1.627352 |archive-date= March 28, 2014 |df= mdy-all }}</ref> That effort by FARC was unsuccessful.<ref>Lubold, Gordon. [https://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0713/p03s03-usmi.html "How best to win US hostages' release?"], ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]'' (July 13, 2007).</ref>

On May 18, 1991, Washington was awarded an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, [[Fordham University]], for having "impressively succeeded in exploring the edge of his multifaceted talent".<ref>{{cite news |title=Commencements: Fordham Graduates Urged to Defend the Poor |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/19/nyregion/commencements-fordham-graduates-urged-to-defend-the-poor.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 19, 1991}}</ref> In 2011, he donated US$2 million to Fordham for an endowed chair of the theater department, as well as {{US$|250,000}} to establish a theater-specific scholarship at the school. He also received an honorary Doctorate of Humanities from [[Morehouse College]] on May 20, 2007<ref>[http://www.morehouse.edu/communications/releases/archives/001021.html "Morehouse Celebrates an 'End of an Era' with a Special Commencement Message from Dr. Walter E. Massey"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214224215/http://www.morehouse.edu/communications/releases/archives/001021.html |date=December 14, 2017 }}, [[Morehouse College]] [[press release]], May 15, 2007,</ref> and an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania on May 16, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/news/academy-award-tony-award-winning-actor-denzel-washington-speak-penn-s-255th-commencement|title=Award-Winning Actor Denzel Washington Delivers Penn's 255th Commencement Address}}</ref>

On October 11, 2021, the [[United States Army]] made Washington the 2021 Honorary Sergeant Major of the Army at the Annual Association of the U.S. Army conference for his work with the Fisher House Foundation (providing free homes for military families while receiving medical care). [[Sergeant Major of the Army]] [[Michael A. Grinston]] presented Washington with the award and said that Washington represented everything he was looking for in this year's honoree: humility, dedication to soldiers, and respect for the Army.<ref>{{cite web|first=Haley|last=Britzky|title=Denzel Washington is the US Army's newest (honorary) sergeant major|url=https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-denzel-washington-honorary-sergeant-major/#:~:text=Actor%2C%20director%20and%20Hollywood%20icon,24%20in%20New%20York%20City.|website=taskandpurpose.com|date=October 11, 2021|accessdate=October 12, 2021}}</ref> In 2022, Washington was supposed to receive the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]], but it was delayed.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/denzel-washington-simone-biles-presidential-medals-freedom-1235174868/|title= Denzel Washington, Simone Biles to Receive Presidential Medals of Freedom|website= [[The Hollywood Reporter]]|agency=Associated Press|date=July 1, 2022|accessdate= July 1, 2022}}</ref> Consequently, he received it in 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/04/president-biden-announces-recipients-of-the-presidential-medal-of-freedom-3/ |title=President Biden Announces Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom |publisher=[[White House]] |date=4 January 2025 |access-date=4 January 2025}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Denzel Washington}}
* {{IMDb name|243}}
* [https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/denzel_washington Denzel Washington] at [[Rotten Tomatoes]]
* {{Tcmdb name}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{iobdb name|9362|Denzel Washington}}
* {{people|denzel_washington|Denzel Washington}}
* [http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/denzel-washington/1025024/main Denzel Washington] at [[Moviefone]]
* {{TV Guide person|denzel-washington/147128}}
* [https://www.futuremovies.co.uk/filmmaking/denzel-washington-man-on-fire-interview/johan-de-silva Denzel Washington] at FutureMovies.co.uk
* [https://texasarchive.org/2014_01398 Denzel Washington interview with KVUE in Austin about Cry Freedom in 1987] from [[Texas Archive of the Moving Image]]

{{Denzel Washington}}
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|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Denzel Washington|Awards for Denzel Washington]]
|list =
{{Academy Award Best Actor}}
{{Academy Award Best Supporting Actor}}
{{AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Actor}}
{{AFI Life Achievement Award}}
{{BET Award for Best Actor}}
{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actor}}
{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Director}}
{{Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor}}
{{BAFTA Los Angeles Britannia Awards}}
{{Cecil B. DeMille Award}}
{{Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor}}
{{Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor}}
{{Donostia Award}}
{{Golden Globe Award Best Actor Motion Picture Drama}}
{{Golden Globe Award Best Supporting Actor Motion Picture}}
{{Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor}}
{{Maltin Modern Master Award}}
{{MTV Movie Award for Best Performance}}
{{MTV Movie Award for Best Villain}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Entertainer of the Year}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-series)}}
{{New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor}}
{{San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor}}
{{ScreenActorsGuildAward MaleLeadMotionPicture}}
{{Silver Bear for Best Actor}}
{{TonyAward PlayLeadActor}}
{{TFCA Award for Best Actor}}
{{Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Director}}
}}

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[[Category:Denzel Washington| ]]
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