Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington - African American Actors, Family and Childhood

Violet FieldHome › AmericanDenzel WashingtonDecember 28, 1954580 views

5 based on 1 rates
Denzel Washington Biography Stories 

Denzel Washington's Personal Details

Denzel Washington is an Academy award-winning actor best known for his role in ‘Training Day’

InformationDetail
BirthdayDecember 28, 1954
NationalityAmerican
FamousAfrican American Actors, Black Actors, Fordham University, Film & Theater Personalities, Actors, ESFP
City/StateNew Yorkers
SpousesPauletta Pearson Washington (m. 1983)
Known asDenzel Hayes Washington Jr.
ChildrensJohn David Washington, Katia Washington
Universities
  • Fordham University
  • Pennington-Grimes Elementary School
  • Oakland Military Academy
  • Mainland High School
  • Fordham University
Notable Alumnis
  • Fordham University
Birth PlaceMount Vernon, New York, U.S
ReligionProtestant
Height185
GenderMale
FatherReverend Denzel Hayes Washington Sr.
MotherLennis
Net Worth$290 Million as of Feb 23,2017
Sun SignCapricorn
Born inMount Vernon, New York, U.S
Famous asAmerican actor

// Famous Film & Theater Personalities

Jacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi is an Australian actor. Let’s take a look at his childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller is an American actor and screenwriter who achieved recognition for his role in the TV series ‘Prison Break’.

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson is an American child actress with huge fan following. Find more about her family & personal life, relationships, facts and more.

Denzel Washington's photo

Who is Denzel Washington?

Denzel Washington is an Academy award-winning actor, director and producer best-known for his roles in ‘Glory’, ‘Malcolm X’ and ‘The Hurricane’. As an actor, he is known for his penchant for taking on challenging roles and portraying them to perfection. Growing up in a predominantly African-American suburb, young Denzel had witnessed many of his friends take up the path of drugs, crime and violence. He is certain that he too would have ended up like them had it not been for his mother, a poor single parent, who sent him to Oakland Military Academy to learn some discipline. Determined to make something worthy of his life, the boy completed high school and studied journalism before embarking on a professional acting career. He got his first big break when he was chosen to play the role of Dr. Philip Chandler in the NBC medical drama series, ‘St. Elsewhere’. He played several minor roles in films before ‘Cry Freedom’ happened in 1987. His portrayal of anti-apartheid social activist Steve Biko established him as a talented character actor. More challenging roles followed and the actor went on to earn several Academy award nominations, winning two of them. He frequently collaborated with producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Tony Scott.

// Famous African American Actors

Shemar Moore

Shemar Moore

Shemar Moore is a model turned actor best known for his role in the television series ‘The Young and the Restless’. This biography of Shemar Moore provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman is an Academy Award winning actor known for his work in movies like ‘Street Smart’, ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ and ‘Million Dollar Baby’. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Spike Lee

Spike Lee

Spike Lee is an Emmy Award winning film director and actor known for his films that deal with controversial subjects like racism and politics. This biography of Spike Lee provides detailed information about his life, achievements, works & timeline.

Childhood & Early Life

Denzel Washington was born to Denzel Hayes Washington Sr., a Pentecostal minister and Lennis, a beautician. He has two siblings.

He attended Pennington-Grimes Elementary School till 1968. His parents divorced when he was 14 and he began to get involved in street violence. In order to instill some discipline in him, his mother sent him to Oakland Military Academy.

He went to Fordham University upon graduating from high school and earned a B.A. in Drama and Journalism in 1977. He realized his love for acting after working as a creative arts director at a summer camp.

He attended American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco, for one year before returning to New York.

Career

After appearing in some television commercials and programs, he made his feature film debut in 1981 with the comedy film ‘Carbon Copy’. It was followed by a 1982 television movie, ‘License to Kill’.

Over the decade he appeared in many films like ‘A Soldier’s Story’ (1984), ‘Power’ (1986), and ‘The Mighty Quinn’ (1989).

His first big success came in 1989 with the release of the drama war film ’Glory’ in which he played Private Silas Trip. He won many awards for this role.

He played the title role in ‘Malcolm X’ (1992), a biographical motion picture directed by Spike Lee. He received an Academy award nomination for his portrayal of the Muslim African-American human rights activist.

The decade of 1990 was a very productive period for the talented actor. He played the lawyer Joe Miller in the 1993 drama film ‘Philadelphia’ which was one of the first Hollywood movies to deal with issues like homosexuality, AIDS, and homophobia.

In 1995, he starred as Lieutenant Commander Ron Hunter in ‘Crimson Tide’. The movie was set in post-Soviet Russia during a period of political turmoil. It received positive reviews from critics.

His most successful movie of 1990s was ‘The Hurricane’ (1999) in which he played Rubin Carter, a boxer arrested for triple homicide. Denzel’s performance was highly appreciated and he won many awards.

One of his most memorable performances was as Detective Alonzo Harris in the 2001 crime drama, ‘Training Day’. He played an antagonist in this movie—a role that earned him critical appreciation and numerous awards.

His other memorable movies of the 2000s include: ‘Antwone Fisher’ (2002), ‘Inside Man’ (2006), and ‘The Great Debaters’ (2007).

One of his most recent films, ‘Flight’ (2012), revolves around the story of a complicated character, William Whitaker, who is an airline pilot struggling with alcoholism. Denzel was nominated for an Academy award for this role.

Major Works

‘Glory’ (1989) was a drama war film that won him his first Academy Award. He played the role of Private Silas Trip which was widely appreciated by the critics.

He played the antagonist in the critically acclaimed film, ‘Training day’ (2001). The story dealt with narcotic drug detectives, and Washington received accolades for portraying a role that was very different from his usual roles.

Awards & Achievements

He received the Academy Award for the Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of Private Silas Trip in the war film ‘Glory’ in 1989.

He won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2001 for his role of Detective Alonzo Harris in the crime drama, ‘Training day’.

Personal Life & Legacy

He married Pauletta Pearson in 1983. They have four children. There were reports of the couple splitting up a few years ago due to Denzel’s cheating with other women. However, the couple remains married to this day.

Trivia

He was named The Sexiest Man Alive by the People’s Magazine in 1996.

He is only other black actor after Sidney Poitier to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

// Famous Fordham University

David Copperfield

David Copperfield

David Copperfield is a world famous magician who features among the highest paid celebrities of the world. This biography of David Copperfield provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump

Donald John Trump is the 45th President of the United States. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, career, achievements & timeline.

Adam Smith

Adam Smith

Adam Smith was a Scottish Philosopher and Political Economist. Read this biography to learn more about his childhood, profile, life and timeline.

Denzel Washington's awards

YearNameAward

Academy Awards(Oscars)

2002Best Actor in a Leading RoleTraining Day (2001)
1990Best Actor in a Supporting RoleGlory (1989)

Golden Globe Awards

2000Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - DramaThe Hurricane (1999)
1990Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion PictureGlory (1989)

MTV Movie & TV Awards

2002Best VillainTraining Day (2001)
1993Best Male PerformanceMalcolm X (1992)

Denzel Washington biography timelines

  • // 28th Dec 1954
    Denzel Washington was born to Denzel Hayes Washington Sr., a Pentecostal minister and Lennis, a beautician. He has two siblings.
  • // 1968
    He attended Pennington-Grimes Elementary School till 1968. His parents divorced when he was 14 and he began to get involved in street violence. In order to instill some discipline in him, his mother sent him to Oakland Military Academy.
  • // 1977
    He went to Fordham University upon graduating from high school and earned a B.A. in Drama and Journalism in 1977. He realized his love for acting after working as a creative arts director at a summer camp.
  • // 1981 To 1982
    After appearing in some television commercials and programs, he made his feature film debut in 1981 with the comedy film ‘Carbon Copy’. It was followed by a 1982 television movie, ‘License to Kill’.
  • // 1983
    He married Pauletta Pearson in 1983. They have four children. There were reports of the couple splitting up a few years ago due to Denzel’s cheating with other women. However, the couple remains married to this day.
  • // 1984 To 1989
    Over the decade he appeared in many films like ‘A Soldier’s Story’ (1984), ‘Power’ (1986), and ‘The Mighty Quinn’ (1989).
  • // 1989
    His first big success came in 1989 with the release of the drama war film ’Glory’ in which he played Private Silas Trip. He won many awards for this role.
  • // 1989
    ‘Glory’ (1989) was a drama war film that won him his first Academy Award. He played the role of Private Silas Trip which was widely appreciated by the critics.
  • // 1989
    He received the Academy Award for the Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of Private Silas Trip in the war film ‘Glory’ in 1989.
  • // 1990 To 1993
    The decade of 1990 was a very productive period for the talented actor. He played the lawyer Joe Miller in the 1993 drama film ‘Philadelphia’ which was one of the first Hollywood movies to deal with issues like homosexuality, AIDS, and homophobia.
  • // 1992
    He played the title role in ‘Malcolm X’ (1992), a biographical motion picture directed by Spike Lee. He received an Academy award nomination for his portrayal of the Muslim African-American human rights activist.
  • // 1995
    In 1995, he starred as Lieutenant Commander Ron Hunter in ‘Crimson Tide’. The movie was set in post-Soviet Russia during a period of political turmoil. It received positive reviews from critics.
  • // 1996
    He was named The Sexiest Man Alive by the People’s Magazine in 1996.
  • // 1999
    His most successful movie of 1990s was ‘The Hurricane’ (1999) in which he played Rubin Carter, a boxer arrested for triple homicide. Denzel’s performance was highly appreciated and he won many awards.
  • // 2001
    One of his most memorable performances was as Detective Alonzo Harris in the 2001 crime drama, ‘Training Day’. He played an antagonist in this movie—a role that earned him critical appreciation and numerous awards.
  • // 2001
    He played the antagonist in the critically acclaimed film, ‘Training day’ (2001). The story dealt with narcotic drug detectives, and Washington received accolades for portraying a role that was very different from his usual roles.
  • // 2001
    He won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2001 for his role of Detective Alonzo Harris in the crime drama, ‘Training day’.
  • // 2002 To 2007
    His other memorable movies of the 2000s include: ‘Antwone Fisher’ (2002), ‘Inside Man’ (2006), and ‘The Great Debaters’ (2007).
  • // 2012
    One of his most recent films, ‘Flight’ (2012), revolves around the story of a complicated character, William Whitaker, who is an airline pilot struggling with alcoholism. Denzel was nominated for an Academy award for this role.

// Famous Black Actors

Alfonso Ribeiro

Alfonso Ribeiro

Alfonso Lincoln Ribeiro Sr. is an American actor, show host, dancer and television director. This biography profiles his childhood, family, personal life, career etc.

Malik Yoba

Malik Yoba

Malik Yoba is an American actor, writer, and singer who made his film debut in 1993 with ‘Cool Runnings.’ Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Andre Braugher

Andre Braugher

Andre Braugher is an American actor. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy Davis Jr. was a singer and dancer often billed as ‘the greatest living entertainer in the world’ during his heydays. This biography of Sammy Davis Jr. provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Sidney Poitier

Sidney Poitier

Sidney Poitier is an actor, director and diplomat who was the first black person to win an Academy Award for Best Actor. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Karlous Miller

Karlous Miller

Karlous Miller is an American actor and comedian. This biography profiles his childhood, family, personal life, birthday, etc.

Denzel Washington's FAQ

  • What is Denzel Washington birthday?

    Denzel Washington was born at 1954-12-28

  • Where is Denzel Washington's birth place?

    Denzel Washington was born in Mount Vernon, New York, U.S

  • What is Denzel Washington nationalities?

    Denzel Washington's nationalities is American

  • Who is Denzel Washington spouses?

    Denzel Washington's spouses is Pauletta Pearson Washington (m. 1983)

  • Who is Denzel Washington childrens?

    Denzel Washington's childrens is John David Washington, Katia Washington

  • What was Denzel Washington universities?

    Denzel Washington studied at Fordham University, Pennington-Grimes Elementary School, Oakland Military Academy, Mainland High School, Fordham University

  • What was Denzel Washington notable alumnis?

    Denzel Washington's notable alumnis is Fordham University

  • What is Denzel Washington's religion?

    Denzel Washington's religion is Protestant

  • How tall is Denzel Washington?

    Denzel Washington's height is 185

  • Who is Denzel Washington's father?

    Denzel Washington's father is Reverend Denzel Hayes Washington Sr.

  • Who is Denzel Washington's mother?

    Denzel Washington's mother is Lennis

  • What is Denzel Washington's sun sign?

    Denzel Washington is Capricorn

  • How famous is Denzel Washington?

    Denzel Washington is famouse as American actor