History of Denzel Washington in Timeline
Denzel Washington is a highly acclaimed American actor, producer, and director, recognized for his powerful dramatic performances. The New York Times hailed him as the greatest actor of the 21st century. His accolades include two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award, along with nominations for Emmy and Grammy Awards. He has also received prestigious honors such as the Cecil B. DeMille Award (2016), the AFI Life Achievement Award (2019), and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2025).
June 25, 1983: Married Pauletta Pearson
On June 25, 1983, Denzel Washington married Pauletta Pearson, whom he met on the set of the television film Wilma.
May 18, 1991: Honorary Doctorate from Fordham University
On May 18, 1991, Denzel Washington was awarded an honorary doctorate from Fordham University for his talent.
1993: National Spokesman for Boys & Girls Clubs of America
In 1993, Denzel Washington became the national spokesman for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, participating in public service announcements and awareness campaigns for the organization.
1993: NAACP Image Award win
In 1993, Denzel Washington won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, marking the beginning of a four-year winning streak.
1995: Renewed wedding vows in South Africa
In 1995, Denzel Washington and his wife, Pauletta Pearson, renewed their wedding vows in South Africa, with Desmond Tutu officiating.
1995: Board Member for Boys & Girls Clubs of America
In 1995, Denzel Washington became a board member for Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
1995: Donation to Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund
In 1995, Denzel Washington donated US$1 million to Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund.
1995: Donated to West Angeles Church of God in Christ
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.
1997: NAACP Image Award win
In 1997, Denzel Washington won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for the fourth consecutive year.
2000: NAACP Image Award win
In 2000, Denzel Washington won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture again.
2002: Starred in John Q and directed Antwone Fisher
In 2002, Denzel Washington starred in the film John Q, and directed his first film, Antwone Fisher, in which he also co-starred.
2003: Appeared in 'Out of Time'
In 2003, Denzel Washington appeared in Carl Franklin's thriller 'Out of Time' opposite Eva Mendez, which performed well at the box office.
2003: NAACP Image Award win
In 2003, Denzel Washington won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for the fourth consecutive time since year 2000.
2003: FARC names Washington as negotiator
In 2003, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) named Denzel Washington as one of the people with whom they were willing to negotiate for the release of three defense contractors.
2004: Acted in 'The Manchurian Candidate'
In 2004, Denzel Washington acted opposite Meryl Streep in the remake of the 1962 film of the same name, 'The Manchurian Candidate'.
2004: Starred in 'Man on Fire'
In 2004, Denzel Washington starred in the movie 'Man on Fire' with Tony Scott as the director.
2005: Played Brutus in Julius Caesar on Broadway
In 2005, Denzel Washington played Brutus in the Broadway revival of Julius Caesar. The production received mixed reviews but was a consistent sell-out.
2006: Starred in 'Inside Man' and 'Déjà Vu'
In 2006, Denzel Washington starred in 'Inside Man,' a bank heist thriller directed by Spike Lee, alongside Jodie Foster and Clive Owen. Later in 2006, he also starred in the time-travel movie 'Déjà Vu,' released in November.
2006: Starred in Déjà Vu
In 2006, Denzel Washington starred in Déjà Vu, marking his fourth collaboration with director Tony Scott.
2006: Publication of "A Hand to Guide Me"
In 2006, Denzel Washington, in collaboration with Daniel Paisner, helped publish the book "A Hand to Guide Me" for the 100th anniversary of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The book features stories from leaders about mentorship and guidance they received as youngsters.
May 20, 2007: Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Morehouse College
On May 20, 2007, Denzel Washington received an honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Morehouse College.
2007: Starred in 'American Gangster' and directed 'The Great Debaters'
In 2007, Denzel Washington co-starred with Russell Crowe in Ridley Scott's crime drama 'American Gangster', receiving a Golden Globe nomination for his performance. He also directed and starred in the drama 'The Great Debaters' with Forest Whitaker.
2007: Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award
In 2007, Denzel Washington received the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award.
2008: Negotiation Effort by FARC unsuccessful
In 2008, the effort by FARC, where Denzel Washington was named as one of the negotiators for the release of three defense contractors, was unsuccessful.
2009: Starred in 'The Taking of Pelham 123'
In 2009, Denzel Washington appeared in Tony Scott's film 'The Taking of Pelham 123,' a remake of the 1974 thriller of the same name, playing Walter Garber opposite John Travolta.
June 13, 2010: Won Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for 'Fences'
On June 13, 2010, Denzel Washington won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his performance in the Broadway revival of August Wilson's 'Fences'.
May 16, 2011: Honorary Doctor of Arts degree from University of Pennsylvania
On May 16, 2011, Denzel Washington received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
2012: Starred in 'Flight'
In 2012, Denzel Washington starred in 'Flight,' receiving an Academy Award nomination for his performance as an alcoholic airline pilot.
June 2014: Starred in 'A Raisin in the Sun' on Broadway
From April to June 2014, Denzel Washington played the leading role in the Broadway production of Lorraine Hansberry's classic drama 'A Raisin in the Sun'. The show received positive reviews and won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play.
May 18, 2015: Principal photography began for The Magnificent Seven
On May 18, 2015, principal photography began for 'The Magnificent Seven' in north Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
September 23, 2016: The Magnificent Seven Released in the US
On September 23, 2016, The Magnificent Seven, starring Denzel Washington, was released in the United States in conventional and IMAX theaters.
December 16, 2016: Release of the film 'Fences'
On December 16, 2016, the film 'Fences', directed by and starring Denzel Washington, was released by Paramount Pictures.
2016: Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award
In 2016, Denzel Washington was honored with the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award.
2017: Starred in Roman J. Israel, Esq.
In 2017, Denzel Washington starred in the legal drama film Roman J. Israel, Esq., receiving critical acclaim for his performance and nominations for several awards.
March 22, 2018: Starred as Theodore "Hickey" Hickman in '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: Reprised Role in The Equalizer 2
In 2018, Denzel Washington reprised his role in his first sequel, The Equalizer 2.
2019: AFI Life Achievement Award
In 2019, Denzel Washington received the AFI Life Achievement Award.
2020: Produced 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'
In 2020, Denzel Washington produced the Netflix film adaptation of the August Wilson 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: Theatrical Release of 'A Journal for Jordan'
On December 25, 2021, 'A Journal for Jordan,' directed by Denzel Washington, received a wide theatrical release.
2022: Delay of Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2022, Denzel Washington was supposed to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, but it was delayed.
2023: Reprised Role in The Equalizer 3
In 2023, Denzel Washington reprised his role in his third sequel, The Equalizer 3.
2023: Cast in Gladiator II
In 2023, Denzel Washington was cast in Ridley Scott's epic historical drama Gladiator II.
December 21, 2024: Received 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: Produced Netflix film 'The Piano Lesson'
In 2024, Denzel Washington served as a producer of 'The Piano Lesson', the Netflix film adaptation of the August Wilson play of the same name.
2024: Set to reunite with Spike Lee in 'High and Low'
In 2024, Denzel Washington was set to reunite with Spike Lee on the police procedural drama film 'High and Low', a remake of the 1963 Akira Kurosawa film of the same name, which will be a joint production with A24 and Apple TV+.
2025: Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2025, Denzel Washington received the Presidential Medal of Freedom after the initial delay.
2025: Honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2025, Denzel Washington was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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