Denzel Washington's 2025 was one for the history books. In January he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House, and in spring he returned to Broadway as Othello opposite Jake Gyllenhaal's Iago, a sell-out run at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre that broke the venue's house record several times. In May he was handed a surprise honorary Palme d'Or at Cannes, at the premiere of Spike Lee's Highest 2 Lowest.
He has not slowed down since, finishing the Netflix heist thriller Here Comes the Flood with Robert Pattinson in January 2026, with the film now expected in 2027. Find more screen greats in our Hollywood icons collection.
Denzel Washington Fact File
| Full name | Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. |
|---|---|
| Born | 28 December 1954 (age 71) |
| Birthplace | Mount Vernon, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actor, director, producer |
| Education | Fordham University (BA, 1977); American Conservatory Theater |
| Years active | 1975-present |
| Known for | Glory, Malcolm X, Training Day, The Equalizer, Fences |
Key Films
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Cry Freedom | Steve Biko |
| 1989 | Glory | Private Trip |
| 1992 | Malcolm X | Malcolm X |
| 1993 | Philadelphia | Joe Miller |
| 1999 | The Hurricane | Rubin "Hurricane" Carter |
| 2001 | Training Day | Alonzo Harris |
| 2007 | American Gangster | Frank Lucas |
| 2012 | Flight | Whip Whitaker |
| 2014 | The Equalizer | Robert McCall |
| 2016 | Fences | Troy Maxson (also director) |
| 2021 | The Tragedy of Macbeth | Macbeth |
| 2024 | Gladiator II | Macrinus |
| 2025 | Highest 2 Lowest | David King |
A selection of key feature films rather than a full filmography; years are original US release years.
Early Years and the Stage
Born in Mount Vernon, New York, Denzel studied drama and journalism at Fordham University, graduating in 1977, before further training at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. Theatre was his foundation, and television made his name: from 1982 to 1988 he played Dr Phillip Chandler in the acclaimed NBC hospital drama St. Elsewhere.
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Breakthrough: Cry Freedom, Glory and Malcolm X
Playing anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko in Cry Freedom (1987) earned Denzel his first Oscar nomination. Two years later he won Best Supporting Actor for Glory, as a defiant former slave fighting in the American Civil War. His towering title performance in Spike Lee's Malcolm X (1992) followed, and Philadelphia (1993) and The Hurricane (1999) confirmed him as one of the finest actors of his generation.
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Training Day and Leading-Man Years
In 2001 Denzel flipped his heroic image as the corrupt detective Alonzo Harris in Training Day, winning the Academy Award for Best Actor. He went on to anchor hits such as American Gangster and Flight, launched The Equalizer trilogy in 2014 and stepped behind the camera, directing Antwone Fisher (2002), The Great Debaters (2007), Fences (2016) and A Journal for Jordan (2021).
Later Career and Legacy
Denzel won a Tony Award in 2010 for the Broadway revival of Fences, then brought Troy Maxson to the screen. Shakespeare has stayed close to his heart, from Joel Coen's The Tragedy of Macbeth to the 2025 Othello directed by Kenny Leon. His scene-stealing Macrinus in Gladiator II earned a Golden Globe nomination, and he has said Ryan Coogler is writing a part for him in a future Black Panther film.
Awards and Honours
Academy Awards
- Best Supporting Actor for Glory (1990 ceremony)
- Best Actor for Training Day (2002 ceremony)
- Nine acting nominations in total, the most for any Black actor
Stage and screen
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for Fences (2010)
- Golden Globe wins including Best Actor for The Hurricane
- Cecil B. DeMille Award (2016) and AFI Life Achievement Award (2019)
- Honorary Palme d'Or, Cannes (2025)
Civic honours
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (January 2025)
Away From the Spotlight
Denzel has been national spokesman for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America since 1993 and has made major gifts to causes including Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund and his old university, Fordham. He has been married to actress and pianist Pauletta Washington since 1983, and their son John David Washington is also an actor.
FAQs
How old is Denzel Washington?
Denzel Washington was born on 28 December 1954, so he is 71 years old and turns 72 in December 2026.
Where was Denzel Washington born?
He was born in Mount Vernon, New York, just north of New York City.
How many Oscars has Denzel Washington won?
Two: Best Supporting Actor for Glory and Best Actor for Training Day. He has nine acting nominations, plus a Best Picture nomination as a producer of Fences.
Was Denzel Washington in Othello on Broadway?
Yes. He played Othello opposite Jake Gyllenhaal at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, opening on 23 March 2025 for a limited run that ended on 8 June 2025.
Where can I watch Highest 2 Lowest?
Spike Lee's Highest 2 Lowest opened in US cinemas on 15 August 2025 and began streaming worldwide on Apple TV on 5 September 2025.
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Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Al Pacino Career Story and Leonardo DiCaprio Career Story.
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