How Denzel Washington built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Denzel Washington is a highly acclaimed American actor, producer, and director, celebrated for his powerful dramatic performances. The New York Times lauded him as the greatest actor of the 21st century in 2020. His distinguished career has earned him numerous awards, including two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award. He has also been nominated for two Emmy Awards and a Grammy Award. Further recognition includes the Cecil B. DeMille Award (2016), the AFI Life Achievement Award (2019), and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2025).
During the summer of 1976, Denzel Washington participated in summer stock theater in St. Mary's City, Maryland, performing in Wings of the Morning.
In 1977, Denzel Washington made his screen acting debut in the made-for-television film Wilma.
In 1979, Denzel Washington acted in a production of Coriolanus at The Public Theater.
On November 20, 1981, Denzel Washington's Off-Broadway Negro Ensemble Company production A Soldier's Play premiered.
In 1982, Denzel Washington began his rise to prominence in the NBC medical drama series St. Elsewhere.
In 1982, Denzel Washington began starring as Dr. Phillip Chandler in NBC's television hospital drama St. Elsewhere.
In 1982, Denzel Washington shared a Distinguished Ensemble Performance Obie Award for his role in the Off-Broadway production A Soldier's Play.
In 1984, Denzel Washington appeared in the film A Soldier's Story.
In 1984, Denzel Washington appeared in the war film A Soldier's Story, adding to his growing filmography.
In 1986, Denzel Washington appeared in the films Hard Lessons and Power.
In 1987, Denzel Washington received an Oscar nomination for his role in Cry Freedom.
In 1987, Denzel Washington starred in Cry Freedom, receiving a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
In 1988, Denzel Washington completed his six-year role in NBC's St. Elsewhere.
In 1988, Denzel Washington concluded his role in the NBC medical drama series St. Elsewhere after a successful six-year run.
In 1988, Denzel Washington made his Broadway debut in the Ron Milner play Checkmates.
In 1989, Denzel Washington won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film Glory. In the same year, he appeared in The Mighty Quinn and For Queen and Country.
In 1989, Denzel Washington won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the war drama Glory, marking a significant achievement in his career.
In 1990, Denzel Washington acted in a production of The Tragedy of Richard III at The Public Theater.
In the summer of 1990, Denzel Washington played Richard III at The Public Theater and starred in Spike Lee's film Mo' Better Blues.
In 1991, Denzel Washington starred in the romantic drama Mississippi Masala, directed by Mira Nair.
In 1992, Denzel Washington received an Oscar nomination for his role in Malcolm X.
In 1992, Denzel Washington starred in the critically acclaimed film Malcolm X, earning another Academy Award nomination and he established his production company, Mundy Lane Entertainment.
In 1993, Denzel Washington played the lawyer in the film Philadelphia, defending a gay man with AIDS, played by Tom Hanks.
In 1993, Denzel Washington starred in The Pelican Brief with Julia Roberts.
In 1993, Denzel Washington starred in the commercially successful films The Pelican Brief and Philadelphia, solidifying his status as a leading man.
In 1995, Denzel Washington donated US$1 million to Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund and US$1 million to Wiley College.
In 1995, Denzel Washington donated US$2.5 million to help build the new West Angeles Church of God in Christ facility in Los Angeles.
In 1995, Denzel Washington starred in Crimson Tide with Gene Hackman.
Since 1995, Denzel Washington has served as a board member for Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
In 1996, Denzel Washington played a U.S. Army officer in Courage Under Fire, opposite Meg Ryan.
In 1996, Denzel Washington starred alongside Whitney Houston in the romantic comedy The Preacher's Wife.
In 1998, Denzel Washington starred in Spike Lee's film He Got Game and the supernatural horror film Fallen.
In 1999, Denzel Washington acted alongside Angelina Jolie in The Bone Collector and starred in The Hurricane, receiving a Silver Bear Award at the Berlin International Film Festival for his role as Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter.
In 1999, Denzel Washington received an Oscar nomination for his role in The Hurricane.
In 2000, Denzel Washington starred in the commercially successful film Remember the Titans.
In 2000, Denzel Washington won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for The Hurricane and starred in Remember the Titans.
In 2001, Denzel Washington won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Training Day, marking a significant milestone in his career.
In 2002, Denzel Washington made his directorial debut with the film Antwone Fisher, in which he also starred.
In 2002, Denzel Washington starred in the healthcare-themed drama John Q. and made his directorial debut with the film Antwone Fisher, in which he also co-starred.
In 2003, Denzel Washington appeared in Carl Franklin's thriller "Out of Time" opposite Eva Mendez. The film generally performed well at the box office.
In 2004, Denzel Washington acted opposite Meryl Streep in the remake of the 1962 film "The Manchurian Candidate".
In 2004, Denzel Washington starred in the commercially successful film Man on Fire.
In mid-2004, Denzel Washington visited Brooke Army Medical Center, participated in a Purple Heart ceremony, and donated to the Fisher House Foundation.
In 2005, Denzel Washington acted in the Broadway revival of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.
In 2006, Denzel Washington helped put 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”.
In 2006, Denzel Washington starred in Spike Lee's "Inside Man," a bank heist thriller. He also starred in the time travel movie "Déjà Vu" which was released in November 2006.
In 2006, Denzel Washington starred in the commercially successful films Déjà Vu and Inside Man.
In 2007, Denzel Washington co-starred with Russell Crowe in Ridley Scott's "American Gangster", receiving a Golden Globe nomination. He also directed and starred in "The Great Debaters" with Forest Whitaker in 2007.
In 2007, Denzel Washington starred in the commercially successful film American Gangster and directed the film The Great Debaters.
In 2009, Denzel Washington appeared in Tony Scott's "The Taking of Pelham 123," a remake where he played Walter Garber opposite John Travolta.
On June 13, 2010, Denzel Washington won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his performance in "Fences".
In 2010, Denzel Washington starred in "The Book of Eli," a post-apocalyptic action-drama. He also starred in "Unstoppable" as a veteran railroad engineer, marking his final collaboration with director Tony Scott.
In 2010, Denzel Washington starred in the commercially successful films Unstoppable and The Book of Eli.
In 2010, Denzel Washington won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his role in the Broadway revival of August Wilson's play Fences.
In 2012, Denzel Washington received an Oscar nomination for his role in Flight.
In 2012, Denzel Washington starred in the commercially successful film Safe House.
In 2013, Denzel Washington starred in the commercially successful film 2 Guns.
From April to June 2014, Denzel Washington played the leading role in "A Raisin in the Sun" on Broadway, which won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play.
In 2014, Denzel Washington acted in the Broadway revival of Lorraine Hansberry's play A Raisin in the Sun.
In 2014, Denzel Washington starred in the commercially successful film The Equalizer trilogy (2014–2023).
On May 18, 2015, principal photography began for "The Magnificent Seven" in north Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
On September 23, 2016, "The Magnificent Seven" was released in the United States in conventional and IMAX theaters. Denzel Washington plays Sam Chisolm in the movie.
On December 16, 2016, "Fences," directed by and starring Denzel Washington, was released by Paramount Pictures. Washington received multiple award nominations for his performance, and Viola Davis won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
In 2016, Denzel Washington directed the film Fences, adding to his directorial credits.
In 2016, Denzel Washington received an Oscar nomination for his role in Fences.
In 2017, Denzel Washington received an Oscar nomination for his role in Roman J. Israel, Esq.
Beginning March 22, 2018, Denzel Washington starred as Theodore "Hickey" Hickman in a Broadway revival of Eugene O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh.
In 2018, Denzel Washington acted in the Broadway revival of Eugene O'Neill's play The Iceman Cometh.
In 2018, Denzel Washington reprised his role in "The Equalizer 2", his first sequel.
In 2020, Denzel Washington produced the Netflix film adaptation of August Wilson's play "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" starring Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis.
On October 11, 2021, Denzel Washington was made the 2021 Honorary Sergeant Major of the Army by the United States Army at the Annual Association of the U.S. Army conference for his work with the Fisher House Foundation.
On December 25, 2021, Denzel Washington's directed drama, "A Journal for Jordan", based on Dana Canedy's memoir, received a wide theatrical release.
In 2021, Denzel Washington directed the film A Journal for Jordan, further expanding his role as a director.
In 2021, Denzel Washington received an Oscar nomination for his role in The Tragedy of Macbeth.
In 2023, Denzel Washington starred in "The Equalizer 3", the third and final sequel.
In 2023, Denzel Washington starred in the commercially successful film The Equalizer trilogy (2014–2023).
In 2023, Denzel Washington was cast in Ridley Scott's epic historical drama "Gladiator II".
On December 21, 2024, Denzel Washington was baptized and received his ministry license from the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ.
In 2024, Denzel Washington is slated to appear in a supporting role in Gladiator II.
In 2024, Denzel Washington served as a producer of "The Piano Lesson", the Netflix film adaptation of the August Wilson play.
In 2024, Denzel Washington was set to reunite with Spike Lee on "High and Low," and it was announced he would return to Broadway in "Othello".