Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Denzel Washington
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).
1976: Summer Stock Theater
During the summer of 1976, Denzel Washington participated in summer stock theater in St. Mary's City, Maryland, performing in Wings of the Morning.
1977: Screen Acting Debut in Wilma
In 1977, Denzel Washington made his screen acting debut in the made-for-television film Wilma.
1979: Coriolanus Performance
In 1979, Denzel Washington acted in a production of Coriolanus at The Public Theater.
November 20, 1981: A Soldier's Play Premiere
On November 20, 1981, Denzel Washington's Off-Broadway Negro Ensemble Company production A Soldier's Play premiered.
1982: St. Elsewhere Debut
In 1982, Denzel Washington began his rise to prominence in the NBC medical drama series St. Elsewhere.
1982: Starring in St. Elsewhere
In 1982, Denzel Washington began starring as Dr. Phillip Chandler in NBC's television hospital drama St. Elsewhere.
1982: Distinguished Ensemble Performance Obie Award
In 1982, Denzel Washington shared a Distinguished Ensemble Performance Obie Award for his role in the Off-Broadway production A Soldier's Play.
1984: Appearance in A Soldier's Story
In 1984, Denzel Washington appeared in the film A Soldier's Story.
1984: A Soldier's Story Film
In 1984, Denzel Washington appeared in the war film A Soldier's Story, adding to his growing filmography.
1986: Hard Lessons and Power Film Roles
In 1986, Denzel Washington appeared in the films Hard Lessons and Power.
1987: Cry Freedom Nomination
In 1987, Denzel Washington received an Oscar nomination for his role in Cry Freedom.
1987: Cry Freedom Release and Oscar Nomination
In 1987, Denzel Washington starred in Cry Freedom, receiving a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
1988: End of St. Elsewhere Role
In 1988, Denzel Washington completed his six-year role in NBC's St. Elsewhere.
1988: St. Elsewhere Series End
In 1988, Denzel Washington concluded his role in the NBC medical drama series St. Elsewhere after a successful six-year run.
1988: Broadway Debut in Checkmates
In 1988, Denzel Washington made his Broadway debut in the Ron Milner play Checkmates.
1989: Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Glory
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.
1989: Academy Award for Glory
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.
1990: The Tragedy of Richard III Performance
In 1990, Denzel Washington acted in a production of The Tragedy of Richard III at The Public Theater.
1990: Richard III Performance and Mo' Better Blues
In the summer of 1990, Denzel Washington played Richard III at The Public Theater and starred in Spike Lee's film Mo' Better Blues.
1991: Starring in Mississippi Masala
In 1991, Denzel Washington starred in the romantic drama Mississippi Masala, directed by Mira Nair.
1992: Malcolm X Nomination
In 1992, Denzel Washington received an Oscar nomination for his role in Malcolm X.
1992: Starring in Malcolm X and Founding Mundy Lane Entertainment
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.
1993: Starring in Philadelphia
In 1993, Denzel Washington played the lawyer in the film Philadelphia, defending a gay man with AIDS, played by Tom Hanks.
1993: Starring in The Pelican Brief
In 1993, Denzel Washington starred in The Pelican Brief with Julia Roberts.
1993: Starring in The Pelican Brief and Philadelphia
In 1993, Denzel Washington starred in the commercially successful films The Pelican Brief and Philadelphia, solidifying his status as a leading man.
1995: Donations to Charity
In 1995, Denzel Washington donated US$1 million to Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund and US$1 million to Wiley College.
1995: Donation to West Angeles Church
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.
1995: Starring in Crimson Tide
In 1995, Denzel Washington starred in Crimson Tide with Gene Hackman.
1995: Board Member for Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Since 1995, Denzel Washington has served as a board member for Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
1996: Starring in Courage Under Fire
In 1996, Denzel Washington played a U.S. Army officer in Courage Under Fire, opposite Meg Ryan.
1996: Starring in The Preacher's Wife
In 1996, Denzel Washington starred alongside Whitney Houston in the romantic comedy The Preacher's Wife.
1998: Starring in He Got Game and Fallen
In 1998, Denzel Washington starred in Spike Lee's film He Got Game and the supernatural horror film Fallen.
1999: Starring in The Bone Collector and The Hurricane
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.
1999: The Hurricane Nomination
In 1999, Denzel Washington received an Oscar nomination for his role in The Hurricane.
2000: Starring in Remember the Titans
In 2000, Denzel Washington starred in the commercially successful film Remember the Titans.
2000: Golden Globe Award and Remember the Titans
In 2000, Denzel Washington won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for The Hurricane and starred in Remember the Titans.
2001: Academy Award for Training Day
In 2001, Denzel Washington won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Training Day, marking a significant milestone in his career.
2002: Directorial Debut with Antwone Fisher
In 2002, Denzel Washington made his directorial debut with the film Antwone Fisher, in which he also starred.
2002: Starring in John Q. and Directorial Debut with Antwone Fisher
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.
2003: Out of Time release
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.
2004: The Manchurian Candidate
In 2004, Denzel Washington acted opposite Meryl Streep in the remake of the 1962 film "The Manchurian Candidate".
2004: Starring in Man on Fire
In 2004, Denzel Washington starred in the commercially successful film Man on Fire.
2004: Visit to Brooke Army Medical Center
In mid-2004, Denzel Washington visited Brooke Army Medical Center, participated in a Purple Heart ceremony, and donated to the Fisher House Foundation.
2005: Julius Caesar Performance
In 2005, Denzel Washington acted in the Broadway revival of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.
2006: A hand to guide me
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”.
2006: Inside Man and Deja Vu
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.
2006: Starring in Déjà Vu and Inside Man
In 2006, Denzel Washington starred in the commercially successful films Déjà Vu and Inside Man.
2007: American Gangster and The Great Debaters
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.
2007: Starring in American Gangster and Directing The Great Debaters
In 2007, Denzel Washington starred in the commercially successful film American Gangster and directed the film The Great Debaters.
2009: The Taking of Pelham 123
In 2009, Denzel Washington appeared in Tony Scott's "The Taking of Pelham 123," a remake where he played Walter Garber opposite John Travolta.
June 13, 2010: Tony Award for Fences
On June 13, 2010, Denzel Washington won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his performance in "Fences".
2010: The Book of Eli and Unstoppable
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.
2010: Starring in Unstoppable and The Book of Eli
In 2010, Denzel Washington starred in the commercially successful films Unstoppable and The Book of Eli.
2010: Tony Award for Fences
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.
2012: Flight Nomination
In 2012, Denzel Washington received an Oscar nomination for his role in Flight.
2012: Starring in Safe House
In 2012, Denzel Washington starred in the commercially successful film Safe House.
2013: 2 Guns Release
In 2013, Denzel Washington starred in "2 Guns", alongside Mark Wahlberg.
2013: Starring in 2 Guns
In 2013, Denzel Washington starred in the commercially successful film 2 Guns.
June 2014: A Raisin in the Sun on Broadway
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.
2014: A Raisin in the Sun Performance
In 2014, Denzel Washington acted in the Broadway revival of Lorraine Hansberry's play A Raisin in the Sun.
2014: The Equalizer Trilogy (2014-2023)
In 2014, Denzel Washington starred in the commercially successful film The Equalizer trilogy (2014–2023).
May 18, 2015: Magnificent Seven Filming Begins
On May 18, 2015, principal photography began for "The Magnificent Seven" in north Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
September 23, 2016: The Magnificent Seven Release
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.
December 16, 2016: Fences Film Release
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.
2016: Directing Fences
In 2016, Denzel Washington directed the film Fences, adding to his directorial credits.
2016: Fences Nomination
In 2016, Denzel Washington received an Oscar nomination for his role in Fences.
2017: Roman J. Israel, Esq. Nomination
In 2017, Denzel Washington received an Oscar nomination for his role in Roman J. Israel, Esq.
March 22, 2018: The Iceman Cometh
Beginning March 22, 2018, Denzel Washington starred as Theodore "Hickey" Hickman in a Broadway revival of Eugene O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh.
2018: The Iceman Cometh Performance
In 2018, Denzel Washington acted in the Broadway revival of Eugene O'Neill's play The Iceman Cometh.
2018: The Equalizer 2
In 2018, Denzel Washington reprised his role in "The Equalizer 2", his first sequel.
2020: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Production
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.
October 11, 2021: Honorary Sergeant Major of the Army
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.
December 25, 2021: A Journal for Jordan Release
On December 25, 2021, Denzel Washington's directed drama, "A Journal for Jordan", based on Dana Canedy's memoir, received a wide theatrical release.
2021: Directing A Journal for Jordan
In 2021, Denzel Washington directed the film A Journal for Jordan, further expanding his role as a director.
2021: The Tragedy of Macbeth Nomination
In 2021, Denzel Washington received an Oscar nomination for his role in The Tragedy of Macbeth.
2023: The Equalizer 3
In 2023, Denzel Washington starred in "The Equalizer 3", the third and final sequel.
2023: The Equalizer Trilogy (2014-2023)
In 2023, Denzel Washington starred in the commercially successful film The Equalizer trilogy (2014–2023).
2023: Gladiator II Casting
In 2023, Denzel Washington was cast in Ridley Scott's epic historical drama "Gladiator II".
December 21, 2024: Ministry License
On December 21, 2024, Denzel Washington was baptized and received his ministry license from the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ.
2024: Appearance in Gladiator II
In 2024, Denzel Washington is slated to appear in a supporting role in Gladiator II.
2024: The Piano Lesson
In 2024, Denzel Washington served as a producer of "The Piano Lesson", the Netflix film adaptation of the August Wilson play.
2024: High and Low Film and Othello Broadway Revival
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".
