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Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington is an American actor and director whose performances range from historical leaders to morally compromised fictional characters. He has also brought plays by August Wilson to film.
Early life
Mount Vernon upbringing
His mother ran a beauty salon and his father was a Pentecostal minister.
Acting education
Studied at Fordham University and trained at the American Conservatory Theater.
Career
- 1980s
Television recognition
Became widely known through the hospital drama St. Elsewhere.
- Late 1980s–1990s
Film leading man
Moved from acclaimed supporting performances to major dramatic leads.
- 2000s
Directing and screen range
Began directing features while continuing thrillers and dramas.
- 2010s onwards
Stage and adaptation
Returned to Broadway and developed screen versions of August Wilson plays.
Selected work
Glory
Played a formerly enslaved soldier in a Black Union regiment.
Malcolm X
Portrayed the activist across major changes in his life and beliefs.
Training Day
Played a corrupt detective, winning the leading-actor Oscar.
Fences
Directed and starred in the adaptation of August Wilson’s play.
Beyond work
Youth organisations
Has long supported Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which he attended as a child.
Family
Married actress Pauletta Washington; their children include actor John David Washington.
Sources & photo credit
Biography ↗Life and work ↗Malcolm X: performance assessment ↗Photo: Gabriel Hutchinson. CC BY-SA 4.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
