Denzel Washington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Denzel Washington
Washington in 2024
Born	Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. (1954-12-28) December 28, 1954 (age 70) Mount Vernon, New York, U.S.
Education	Fordham University (BA) American Conservatory Theater
Occupation	Actor director producer
Years active	1975–present
Works	Full list
Spouse(s)	Pauletta Pearson ​ (m. 1983)​
Children	4, including John David, Malcolm and Olivia
Awards	Full list
Honors	Presidential Medal of Freedom (2025)

Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. (born December 28, 1954) is a famous American actor, producer, and director. He is known for his powerful performances in movies and plays. In 2020, The New York Times called him the greatest actor of the 21st century.

Denzel Washington has won many important awards. These include two Academy Awards (also known as Oscars), three Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award. He has also received special honors like the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2016 and the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2019. In 2025, he will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

He started his acting journey in theater after studying at the American Conservatory Theater. He first became well-known on the TV show St. Elsewhere (1982–1988). He won his first Oscar for his role as a soldier in the movie Glory (1989). Later, he won another Oscar for playing a police officer in Training Day (2001). Washington has starred in many popular films like Remember the Titans (2000) and The Equalizer series. He has also directed several movies, including Fences (2016).

Early Life and Education

Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. was born in Mount Vernon, New York, on December 28, 1954. His mother, Lennis "Lynne" Lowe, owned a beauty salon. His father, Denzel Hayes Washington Sr., was a Pentecostal minister and worked for the New York City Water Department.

Denzel went to elementary school in Mount Vernon. When he was 14, his parents divorced. His mother sent him to a private school called Oakland Military Academy. Denzel later said this decision changed his life for the better. He felt it helped him avoid trouble. After Oakland, he attended Mainland High School in Florida.

He first wanted to go to Texas Tech University because of their sports teams. But he ended up earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama and Journalism from Fordham University in 1977. At Fordham, he also played college basketball. During a break from college, he worked at a summer camp. A colleague there suggested he try acting.

This suggestion inspired him to return to Fordham to study acting. He performed in plays like The Emperor Jones and Othello. He then went to graduate school at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. After a year, he moved back to New York to start his professional acting career.

Career Highlights

Starting Out in Acting

Denzel Washington began his acting career in theater. In 1976, he performed in a play called Wings of the Morning. His first movie role was in the TV film Wilma in 1977. He then appeared in the Hollywood film Carbon Copy in 1981.

A big moment in his career was starring as Dr. Phillip Chandler. This was in the TV hospital drama St. Elsewhere, which ran from 1982 to 1988. He was one of the few Black actors to be on the show for its entire run. He also acted in films like A Soldier's Story (1984). In 1987, he played Stephen Biko, a South African activist, in Cry Freedom. This role earned him his first Oscar nomination.

Washington at the 62nd Academy Awards (1990), where he won Best Supporting Actor for Glory

In 1989, Denzel won his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He won for playing a strong, brave ex-slave soldier in the movie Glory.

Becoming a Hollywood Star

In the early 1990s, Denzel Washington became a major Hollywood star. In 1990, he played the main role in Shakespeare's Richard III on stage. Critics praised his intense performance. He also starred in the Spike Lee film Mo' Better Blues (1990).

One of his most famous roles was playing the civil rights leader Malcolm X in the movie Malcolm X (1992). Critics loved his performance. It earned him another nomination for Best Actor. The next year, he played a lawyer in Philadelphia (1993), alongside Tom Hanks.

During the 1990s, Denzel starred in many successful thrillers. These included The Pelican Brief (1993) with Julia Roberts. He also starred in Crimson Tide (1995) with Gene Hackman. In 1996, he played a U.S. Army officer in Courage Under Fire. He also starred with Whitney Houston in the romantic comedy The Preacher's Wife (1996).

In 1999, Denzel starred in The Hurricane. This film was about Rubin Carter, a boxer wrongly imprisoned for many years. Denzel's performance was highly praised. He won a Silver Bear Award at the Berlin International Film Festival for this role.

Action Roles and Directing

Washington in 2000

In 2000, Denzel Washington won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama for The Hurricane. He was the first Black actor to win this award since Sidney Poitier in 1963. That same year, he played football coach Herman Boone in the Disney film Remember the Titans. This movie earned over $100 million in the U.S.

In 2001, Denzel starred in the crime thriller Training Day. He played a tough, corrupt police officer. His performance was very powerful. He won his second Academy Award for Best Actor for this role. He was the second Black actor to win this top acting award.

In 2002, Denzel directed his first movie, Antwone Fisher. He also acted in it as a Navy psychiatrist. Critics praised his directing skills. Between 2003 and 2006, he appeared in several popular thrillers. These included Man on Fire (2004) with Dakota Fanning. He also starred in Inside Man (2006), directed by Spike Lee.

Washington after a performance of Julius Caesar in May 2005

In 2005, Denzel returned to Broadway to play Brutus in Julius Caesar. The play was very popular and sold out often. In 2007, he starred with Russell Crowe in American Gangster. He also directed and starred in The Great Debaters (2007).

Return to Theater and The Equalizer

Washington with Anne Hathaway at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in 2010

In 2010, Denzel Washington returned to Broadway in the play Fences. He played Troy Maxson, a working-class father. He won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for this role. That same year, he starred in the action films The Book of Eli and Unstoppable.

In 2012, Denzel starred in Flight, earning another Oscar nomination. He also co-starred with Ryan Reynolds in Safe House. In 2013, he was in 2 Guns with Mark Wahlberg. From 2014, he played a main role in the Broadway play A Raisin in the Sun. This show won a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play.

That same year, he starred in The Equalizer (2014). This was an action thriller based on a TV series. He played the same character in two sequels, The Equalizer 2 (2018) and The Equalizer 3 (2023).

Washington at the premiere of The Equalizer in 2014

In 2016, Denzel starred in The Magnificent Seven. This was a remake of a classic Western film. It was his first Western movie. He also directed and starred in the film Fences (2016), based on the play. His performance earned him another Oscar nomination. The film also won an Oscar for Viola Davis.

In 2017, Denzel starred in the legal drama Roman J. Israel, Esq.. His acting was praised, and he received another Oscar nomination. In 2018, he returned to Broadway in The Iceman Cometh.

Recent Work

In 2020, Denzel produced the Netflix film Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. It starred Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis. In 2021, he was in the crime thriller The Little Things. He also played the main character in the 2021 film The Tragedy of Macbeth. His performance received great reviews and another Oscar nomination. That same year, he directed the drama A Journal for Jordan.

In 2023, Denzel Washington was cast in Gladiator II, a sequel to the movie Gladiator. In 2024, he produced The Piano Lesson for Netflix. He is also set to star in a Netflix film as the general Hannibal. He will reunite with Spike Lee for the film High and Low. In 2025, he will return to Broadway to play Othello in Shakespeare's play. He also announced he will be in Black Panther 3.

Personal Life

Family

On June 25, 1983, Denzel Washington married Pauletta Pearson. They met while working on his first TV film, Wilma. They have four children together. Their son, John David, is also an actor and a former football player. Their daughter, Katia, graduated from Yale University. They also have twins, Olivia and Malcolm. Malcolm studied film and Olivia is also an actress. In 1995, Denzel and Pauletta renewed their wedding vows in South Africa.

Beliefs and Service

Denzel Washington is a Christian and attends the West Angeles Church of God in Christ. He has thought about becoming a preacher. He believes in using his talent for good. In 1995, he donated $2.5 million to help build a new church facility. He says he reads the Bible every day. In 2024, he received his ministry license.

Denzel has been the national spokesperson for Boys & Girls Clubs of America since 1993. He helps raise awareness for the organization. He has also been a board member since 1995. In 2006, he helped create a book called "A hand to guide me". It shared stories from leaders about how mentors helped them as children.

In 2004, Denzel visited military hospitals. He presented medals to soldiers recovering from injuries. He also donated a lot of money to the Fisher House Foundation. This program provides free homes for military families while they receive medical care. He has also given money to other charities, including Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund.

Denzel has received several honorary degrees from universities. These include Fordham University and Morehouse College. In 2011, he donated $2 million to Fordham for their theater department. In 2021, the United States Army named him the 2021 Honorary Sergeant Major of the Army. This was for his work with the Fisher House Foundation. In 2025, he will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Awards and Recognition

Denzel Washington has won many awards for his acting and directing. He has two Academy Awards, a Tony Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. He has also received special honors like the AFI Life Achievement Award. He has won 13 NAACP Image Awards for his film roles.

Here are some of the Academy Award nominations and wins he has received:

Images for kids

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  Washington in 2024

See also

In Spanish: Denzel Washington para niños