Denzel Hayes Washington Jr.

Know more about your idol

Early Life

Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. was born on December 28, 1954, in Mount Vernon, New York, to Lennis "Lynne" Washington, a beauty parlor owner, and Reverend Denzel Hayes Washington Sr., a Pentecostal minister. He has two siblings, an older sister named Lorice and a younger brother named David. After graduating from Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida, he attended Fordham University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Journalism in 1977. Washington also studied acting at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco for a year.

Washington began his career on stage and in television, gaining recognition with his role as Dr. Philip Chandler in the television series St. Elsewhere (1982–1988). His breakthrough in film came with his portrayal of Private Silas Trip in Glory (1989), for which he won his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Over the years, Washington has starred in numerous iconic films such as Malcolm X (1992), The Pelican Brief (1993), Philadelphia (1993), The Hurricane (1999), Training Day (2001), Man on Fire (2004), American Gangster (2007), and Fences (2016). He has received multiple awards and nominations throughout his career, including his second Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Detective Alonzo Harris in Training Day (2001). In 2020, The New York Times named him the greatest actor of the 21st century.In his personal life, Denzel Washington married Pauletta Pearson in 1983, whom he met on the set of the television film Wilma (1977). They have four children: John David Washington, Katia Washington, and twins Olivia and Malcolm Washington. Washington is also known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in supporting education, health, and youth initiatives, having donated millions to various causes, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, where he served as a national spokesperson.Denzel Washington is celebrated not only for his on-screen talent but also for his integrity and dedication to his craft. He continues to influence generations of actors and remains a prominent figure in Hollywood, working both in front of and behind the camera as an actor, director, and producer.