01of 22Denzel Washington’s New York BeginningsCourtesy the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.Denzel Washingtonwas born on Dec. 28, 1964 in Mount Vernon, New York. His father Denzel Sr. was a Pentecostal minister and his mother Lennis was a beauty salon owner. He is the middle child of three siblings: older sister Lorice and younger brother David. He graduated from Fordham University and furthered his studies in acting at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.
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Denzel Washington’s New York Beginnings
Courtesy the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Denzel Washingtonwas born on Dec. 28, 1964 in Mount Vernon, New York. His father Denzel Sr. was a Pentecostal minister and his mother Lennis was a beauty salon owner. He is the middle child of three siblings: older sister Lorice and younger brother David. He graduated from Fordham University and furthered his studies in acting at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.
02of 22Denzel Washington at The Boys & Girls ClubCourtesy the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.As a young child, Washington spent a lot of time at his local Boys & Girls Club “with mentors who cared and gave me the confidence I needed to set higher goals than I might have,” he wrote in an essay forEssencein 2020. The actor credits The Boys & Girls Club for helping him become the man he is today. Washington has been the national spokeperson for the organization for more than 20 years.
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Denzel Washington at The Boys & Girls Club
As a young child, Washington spent a lot of time at his local Boys & Girls Club “with mentors who cared and gave me the confidence I needed to set higher goals than I might have,” he wrote in an essay forEssencein 2020. The actor credits The Boys & Girls Club for helping him become the man he is today. Washington has been the national spokeperson for the organization for more than 20 years.
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Denzel Washington and Pauletta Pearson
getty
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Denzel Washington on St. Elsewhere
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Denzel Washington’s First Oscar
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Denzel Washington as Malcolm X
07of 22Denzel Washington in Much Ado About NothinggettyIn 1993, the Oscar winner joined Kenneth Branagh, Keanu Reeves, Emma Thompson and Robert Sean Leonard in the romantic comedyMuch Ado About Nothing.
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Denzel Washington in Much Ado About Nothing
In 1993, the Oscar winner joined Kenneth Branagh, Keanu Reeves, Emma Thompson and Robert Sean Leonard in the romantic comedyMuch Ado About Nothing.
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Denzel Washington in The Pelican Brief
Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection
09of 22Denzel Washington in PhiladelphiagettyTom Hanks and Washington took on starring roles in the 1994 filmPhiladelphia, which has been credited as one of the first mainstream films to acknowledge the AIDS crisis.
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Denzel Washington in Philadelphia
Tom Hanks and Washington took on starring roles in the 1994 filmPhiladelphia, which has been credited as one of the first mainstream films to acknowledge the AIDS crisis.
10of 22Denzel Washington as Sexiest Man AliveBased on his extraordinary talent, intelligence, good looks and ability to inspire, Washington was namedPEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alivein 1996.
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Denzel Washington as Sexiest Man Alive
Based on his extraordinary talent, intelligence, good looks and ability to inspire, Washington was namedPEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alivein 1996.
11of 22Denzel Washington in The Preacher’s WifeGlobeDuring his reign as Sexiest Man Alive, Washington’s character Dudley crushed over Whitney Houston’s character Julia Biggs in 1996’sThe Preacher’s Wife.
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Denzel Washington in The Preacher’s Wife
Globe
During his reign as Sexiest Man Alive, Washington’s character Dudley crushed over Whitney Houston’s character Julia Biggs in 1996’sThe Preacher’s Wife.
12of 22Denzel Washington’s Walk of Fame StargettyWith his kids supporting him, Washington cemented his place in Hollywood history in 1998 at his hand and footprint ceremony in Los Angeles.
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Denzel Washington’s Walk of Fame Star
With his kids supporting him, Washington cemented his place in Hollywood history in 1998 at his hand and footprint ceremony in Los Angeles.
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Denzel Washington in The Hurricane
Everett
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Denzel Washington in Remember the Titans
Disney
15of 22Denzel Washington Makes Oscars HistoryFrank Micelotta/ImageDirectHalle Berry and Washington took home the top prizes at the 2002 Academy Awards. Berry won Best Actress for her portrayal of Leticia Musgrove inMonster’s Ball, making her the first Black woman to ever win in the category. Washington won Best Actor for playing Detective Alonzo Harris inTraining Day, making him the second Black actor to win in the category. The first was Sidney Poitier, who won forLilies of the Fieldin 1963.
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Denzel Washington Makes Oscars History
Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect
Halle Berry and Washington took home the top prizes at the 2002 Academy Awards. Berry won Best Actress for her portrayal of Leticia Musgrove inMonster’s Ball, making her the first Black woman to ever win in the category. Washington won Best Actor for playing Detective Alonzo Harris inTraining Day, making him the second Black actor to win in the category. The first was Sidney Poitier, who won forLilies of the Fieldin 1963.
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Denzel Washington the Director
The star would go on to direct 2007’sThe Great Debaters, a 2016 episode ofGrey Anatomy, 2016’sFencesand more recentlyA Journal for Jordan, starring Michael B. Jordan.
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Denzel Washington’s American Cinematheque Award
18of 22Denzel Washington with Muhammad AligettyWashington compared punches with one of the greatest athletes of all time, Muhammad Ali, at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America President’s Dinner in 2004, where the actor was being honored for his efforts in N.Y.C.
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Denzel Washington with Muhammad Ali
Washington compared punches with one of the greatest athletes of all time, Muhammad Ali, at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America President’s Dinner in 2004, where the actor was being honored for his efforts in N.Y.C.
19of 22Denzel Washington and Dakota FanninggettyDakota Fanning, who was nine at the time, and costar Washington hit theMan on FireL.A. premiere red carpet together in 2004.
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Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning
Dakota Fanning, who was nine at the time, and costar Washington hit theMan on FireL.A. premiere red carpet together in 2004.
20of 22Denzel Washington on BroadwaygettyJessica Hecht looked to Washington, who played Marcus Brutus in the hit Broadway revival, on opening night ofJulius Caesarin 2005.
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Denzel Washington on Broadway
Jessica Hecht looked to Washington, who played Marcus Brutus in the hit Broadway revival, on opening night ofJulius Caesarin 2005.
21of 22Denzel Washington with JAY-ZgettyBack in 2006, the A-lister sat with futureRock and Roll Hall of Famer JAY-Zand BET’s106 & Parkhosts Rocsi Diaz and Terrence J.
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Denzel Washington with JAY-Z
Back in 2006, the A-lister sat with futureRock and Roll Hall of Famer JAY-Zand BET’s106 & Parkhosts Rocsi Diaz and Terrence J.
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Denzel Washington in Fences
source: people.com
