History of Denzel Washington in Timeline
Denzel Washington is a highly acclaimed American actor, producer, and director, renowned for his powerful dramatic performances across stage and screen. He has received widespread recognition, including two Academy Awards, a Tony Award, Golden Globe Awards, and numerous other accolades. The New York Times hailed him as the greatest actor of the 21st century. Washington's contributions have been further acknowledged with the Cecil B. DeMille Award, the AFI Life Achievement Award, the Honorary Palme d'Or, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His films have collectively grossed over $5.1 billion globally, marking him as a commercially successful and critically celebrated figure in the entertainment industry.
1960: Release of the Original The Magnificent Seven Film
In 1960, the original Western film The Magnificent Seven was released, which was later remade in 2016 starring Denzel Washington.
1962: Original The Manchurian Candidate Film Release
In 1962, the original film, The Manchurian Candidate, was released, which was later remade in 2004 starring Denzel Washington.
1963: Release of High and Low
In 1963, Akira Kurosawa's film High and Low was released. Denzel Washington will star in a remake of this film, titled Highest 2 Lowest.
1974: Release of the Original The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
In 1974, the original thriller film The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, was released, which later was remade in 2009 starring Denzel Washington.
June 25, 1983: Marriage to Pauletta Pearson
On June 25, 1983, Denzel Washington married Pauletta Pearson, whom he had met on the set of the television film "Wilma".
May 18, 1991: Honorary Doctorate from Fordham University
On May 18, 1991, Denzel Washington received an honorary doctorate from Fordham University.
1993: First NAACP Image Award Win
In 1993, Denzel Washington won his first NAACP Image Award, beginning a streak of four consecutive wins in the Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture category.
1993: National Spokesman for Boys & Girls Clubs
Since 1993, Denzel Washington has served as the national spokesman for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, participating in public service announcements and awareness campaigns.
1995: Renewal of Wedding Vows
In 1995, Denzel Washington and his wife renewed their wedding vows in South Africa, with Desmond Tutu officiating the ceremony.
1995: Co-starring in Virtuosity
In 1995, Denzel Washington co-starred with Russell Crowe in the movie Virtuosity.
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: 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: Crimson Tide Release
In 1995, Denzel Washington starred in the movie Crimson Tide, directed by Tony Scott.
1995: Board Member for Boys & Girls Clubs
Since 1995, Denzel Washington has served as a board member for Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
1997: Fourth Consecutive NAACP Image Award Win
In 1997, Denzel Washington won his fourth consecutive NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture.
1999: Considering Preaching
In 1999, Denzel Washington stated that he felt called to preach and questioned whether he was compromising by not doing so.
2000: NAACP Image Award Win
In 2000, Denzel Washington won another NAACP Image Award, beginning another streak of wins in the Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture category.
2000: Release of Gladiator
In 2000, the original film Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, was released. Washington starred in the sequel Gladiator II in 2024.
2002: Starring in John Q and Directing Antwone Fisher
In 2002, Denzel Washington starred in the healthcare drama John Q, portraying John Quincy Archibald. The film received mixed reviews but was a financial success. That same year, 2002, Washington directed his first film, Antwone Fisher, in which he also co-starred as a Navy psychiatrist, receiving praise for his direction and acting.
2003: Starring in Out of Time
In 2003, Denzel Washington starred in Carl Franklin's thriller Out of Time, acting opposite Eva Mendez.
2003: NAACP Image Award Win
In 2003, Denzel Washington won an NAACP Image Award.
2003: Named by FARC for Negotiations
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: Starring in The Manchurian Candidate Remake
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 Tony Scott's Man on Fire alongside Dakota Fanning.
2004: Visit to Brooke Army Medical Center and Donation to Fisher House Foundation
In 2004, Denzel Washington visited Brooke Army Medical Center and made a substantial donation to the Fisher House Foundation after learning about its exceeded capacity.
2005: Broadway Revival of Julius Caesar
In 2005, Denzel Washington returned to the stage playing Brutus in the Broadway revival of Julius Caesar. The production received mixed reviews but consistently sold out its limited run.
2006: Starring in Inside Man and Déjà Vu
In 2006, Denzel Washington starred in Spike Lee's bank heist thriller Inside Man, co-starring Jodie Foster and Clive Owen. Later that year, 2006, he also starred in the time travel movie Déjà Vu, which was released in November.
2006: Starring in Déjà Vu
In 2006, Denzel Washington starred in the Tony Scott directed time travel movie Déjà Vu.
2006: Publication of "A hand to guide me"
In 2006, Denzel Washington, in collaboration with Daniel Paisner, published "A hand to guide me" for the 100th anniversary of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
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: Starring in American Gangster and Directing 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. 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 Unsuccessful
By 2008, The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)'s effort to negotiate with Denzel Washington and others for the release of three defense contractors had proven unsuccessful.
2009: Starring in The Taking of Pelham 123
In 2009, Denzel Washington starred in Tony Scott's The Taking of Pelham 123, a remake of the 1974 thriller, playing Walter Garber opposite John Travolta.
June 13, 2010: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play
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 from University of Pennsylvania
On May 16, 2011, Denzel Washington received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
2012: Starring in Flight
In 2012, Denzel Washington starred in Flight, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his performance as an alcoholic airline pilot.
June 2014: Leading Role 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, directed by Kenny Leon. 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 in north Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for The Magnificent Seven, a remake of the 1960 western film.
September 23, 2016: Release of The Magnificent Seven
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 alongside Viola Davis, was released by Paramount Pictures. The film is based on August Wilson's play of the same name.
2016: Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award
In 2016, Denzel Washington was honored with the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award.
2017: Starring in Roman J. Israel, Esq.
In 2017, Denzel Washington starred in the legal drama film Roman J. Israel, Esq. His performance was praised, leading to nominations for a Golden Globe Award, an Actor Award, and an Academy Award.
March 22, 2018: The Iceman Cometh Broadway Revival
Beginning March 22, 2018, Denzel Washington starred as Theodore "Hickey" Hickman in a Broadway revival of Eugene O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh.
2018: Starring in The Equalizer 2
In 2018, Denzel Washington reprised his role in The Equalizer 2, his first sequel.
2019: AFI Life Achievement Award
In 2019, Denzel Washington received the AFI Life Achievement Award.
2020: Producing 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 at the Annual Association of the U.S. Army conference.
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. The film is based on the memoir by Dana Canedy.
2023: Starring in The Equalizer 3
In 2023, Denzel Washington starred in the third and final sequel The Equalizer 3.
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: Starring in Gladiator II and Producing The Piano Lesson
In 2024, Denzel Washington starred in Ridley Scott's epic historical drama Gladiator II. Also in 2024, Washington served as a producer of The Piano Lesson, the Netflix film adaptation of the August Wilson play.
2025: Received Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2025, Denzel Washington received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, after a delay from 2022.
2025: Returning to Broadway in Othello
In 2025, Denzel Washington returned to Broadway portraying the title role in a revival of William Shakespeare's play Othello, starring opposite Jake Gyllenhaal as Iago.
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