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Denzel Washington Biography

Birth Name:Denzel Hayes Washington

Birth Place:Mount Vernon, New York, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Director, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Won Golden Globe Awards for "The Hurricane" in 2000 and "Glory" in 1990
Has spent substantial time and money supporting The Fisher House Foundation, Brooke Army Medical Center and The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund to name a few
Has served as spokesperson for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America
Made a $1 million donation to allow the Wiley College Debate Team to be re-established after his work on the film "The Great Debaters․"
Graduated from Fordham University where he found his calling in acting
Studied at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, before leaving to begin his acting career
He and wife Pauletta have four children, sons John David and Malcolm and daughters Katia and Olivia
Quote: "You get a part․ You play a part․ You play it well․ You do your work and you go home․ And what is wonderful about movies is that once they're done, they belong to the people․ Once you make it, it's what they see․ That's where my head is at․"
Quote: "Acting is just a way of making a living, the family is life․"
Quote: "I’d much rather be good than famous․"
Despite the acclaim he garnered for acting as the hero, he finds being the villain much more enjoyable
Helped pay for actor Chadwick Boseman to attend a summer theater program at The University of Oxford when Boseman was a student at Howard University

Awards

1986Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
1988Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
1988Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
1988Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
1989Best Actor-: winner
1989Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
1989KCFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
1989NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
1990Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
1990CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
1990Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: winner
1990Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
1990NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
1992ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: winner
1992BSFC Award-Best Actor: winner
1992KCFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
1992LAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
1992NYFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
1993Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1993ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1993Silver Berlin Bear-Best Actor: winner
1993CFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
1993DFWFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
1993Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
1993Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
1993MTV Movie Award-Best Male Performance: winner
1993NSFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1993SEFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
1994Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
1994Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
1994MTV Movie Award-Most Desirable Male: nominated
1994MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Duo: nominated
1996BSFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1996CFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
1996Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
1996Image Award-Outstanding Performance in an Animated/Live-Action/Dramatic Youth or Children's Series/Special: winner
1996MTV Movie Award-Best Male Performance: nominated
1997CFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
1997Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
1997Lone Star Film & Television Award-Best Actor: winner
1997OFTA Film Award-Best Drama Actor: nominated
1997SEFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
1998Image Award-Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children's Series/Special: winner
1999Black Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
1999Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Actor - Suspense: nominated
1999Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2000Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2000Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2000Silver Berlin Bear-Best Actor: winner
2000Black Reel-Theatrical - Best Actor: winner
2000Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Actor - Drama: nominated
2000CFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2000Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: winner
2000Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
2000OFTA Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
2000Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
2001ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2001BET Award-Best Actor: winner
2001Black Reel-Theatrical - Best Actor: winner
2001Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Actor - Drama: nominated
2001BSFC Award-Best Actor: winner
2001Golden Schmoes-Best Actor of the Year: nominated
2001Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
2001KCFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
2001LAFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
2001NYFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Non-Fiction Special: nominated
2001Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
2002AFI Award-Actor of the Year - Male - Movies: winner
2002Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: winner
2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2002BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
2002Black Reel-Theatrical - Best Actor: winner
2002CFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2002DFWFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2002Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
2002Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
2002Sierra Award-Best Actor: nominated
2002MTV Movie Award-Best Villain: winner
2002MTV Movie Award-Best Line: nominated
2002NSFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2002OFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2002Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
2002WAFCA Award-Best Director: winner
2003BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
2003Black Reel-Best Film: winner
2003Black Reel-Theatrical - Best Director: winner
2003Black Reel-Theatrical - Best Actor: nominated
2003Black Reel-Theatrical - Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2003Christopher Award-Film: winner
2003Freedom Award-: winner
2003Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
2003Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
2003Stanley Kramer Award-: winner
2003PFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
2003Golden Satellite Award-Best Director: nominated
2004BET Award-Best Actor: winner
2004Black Reel-Film: Best Actor: nominated
2004Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2005Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2005Jupiter Award-Best International Actor: nominated
2006BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
2006Black Movie Award-Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2007Black Reel-Best Actor: nominated
2007Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2007Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
2008Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor: nominated
2008Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2008BET Award-Best Actor: winner
2008Christopher Award-Feature Films: winner
2008Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
2008Image Award-Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Theatrical or Television): nominated
2008Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
2008MTV Movie Award-Best Male Performance: nominated
2008MTV Movie Award-Best Villain: nominated
2010Saturn Award-Best Actor: nominated
2010BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
2010Black Reel-Best Actor: nominated
2010Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2010Scream Award-Best Science Fiction Actor: nominated
2011Black Reel-Best Film: nominated
2011Black Reel-Best Actor: nominated
2011Black Reel-Best Actor: nominated
2011Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
2011Grace Award-Most Inspiring Movie Acting: nominated
2012AAFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
2012BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
2012CFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2012DFWFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2012Golden Schmoes-Best Actor of the Year: nominated
2012IGN Award-Best Movie Actor: nominated
2012Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2012SLFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2012SLFCA Award-Special Merit (for best scene, cinematic technique or other memorable aspect or moment): nominated
2012VVFP Award-Best Actor: nominated
2012WAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2013Felix-Best Actor: winner
2013AACTA International Award-Best Actor: nominated
2013Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor: winner
2013Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2013Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2013EDA Special Mention Award-Unforgettable Moment: nominated
2013EDA Special Mention Award-Most Egregious Age Difference Between the Leading Man and the Love Interest: winner
2013BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
2013Black Reel-Best Actor: winner
2013Critics Choice Award-Best Actor: nominated
2013Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
2013HFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2013Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
2013MTV Movie Award-Best WTF Moment: nominated
2013NCFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2013OFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2015Black Reel-Outstanding Actor, Motion Picture: nominated
2015Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2016AAFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
2016All Def Movie Award-Best Bad Mu#&a Award: winner
2016AFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2016ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2016ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
2016BFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
2016CFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2016Critics Choice Award-Best Director: nominated
2016Critics Choice Award-Best Actor: nominated
2016DFWFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2016DFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2016DFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
2016FFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2016Golden Schmoes-Best Actor of the Year: nominated
2016IFJA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2016ICP Award-Best Lead Actor: nominated
2016Sierra Award-Best Actor: nominated
2016NTFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2016PFCS Award-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2016SFFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
2016SEFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2016VFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2016VVFP Award-Best Actor: nominated
2016WAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017AACTA International Award-Best Lead Actor: nominated
2017Movies for Grownups Award-Best Buddy Picture: nominated
2017Movies for Grownups Award-Best Director: nominated
2017Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor: winner
2017Movies for Grownups Award-Best Grownup Love Story: nominated
2017Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2017Oscar-Best Motion Picture of the Year: nominated
2017Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2017Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: winner
2017EDA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017Black Reel-Outstanding Director, Motion Picture: nominated
2017Black Reel-Outstanding Actor, Motion Picture: nominated
2017Black Reel-Outstanding Actor, Motion Picture: winner
2017Black Reel-Outstanding Motion Picture: nominated
2017COFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
2017CIFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017DFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017Dorian Award-Film Performance of the Year - Actor: nominated
2017DFCC-Best Actor: nominated
2017GAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actor: nominated
2017Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2017Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
2017HFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017HFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
2017IFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017IFTA Award-Best International Actor: nominated
2017Jupiter Award-Best International Actor: winner
2017NSFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017NCFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017OFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017OFTA Film Award-Best Picture: nominated
2017OFTA Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017OFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures: nominated
2017Satellite Award-Best Director: nominated
2017Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2017SFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017The BAM Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017WFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2018Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor: nominated
2018Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2018Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2018BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
2018Black Reel-Outstanding Actor, Motion Picture: nominated
2018Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
2018Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2019BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
2019Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2019Yoga Award-Worst Foreign Actor: winner
2021Black Reel-Outstanding Motion Picture: nominated
2021CIC Award-Best Studio Film: winner
2021DFWFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021Independent Spirit Award-Best Feature: nominated
2021IFJA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021LEJA Award-Best Picture: nominated
2021MCFCA Award-Best Film: nominated
2021PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures: nominated
2021PCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021PCA Award-Best Male Leading Role: nominated
2021SLFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021WAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022AACTA International Award-Best Lead Actor: nominated
2022Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2022Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2022EDA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022AFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022Black Reel-Outstanding Actor: nominated
2022BOFA-Best Actor: nominated
2022CIC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022COFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022Critics Choice Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022DFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
2022HFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2022Image Award-Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture: nominated
2022ICFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022MNFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022MCFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022NDFS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022OFTA Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022SFBAFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
2022TFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
2022VFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2023CinEuphoria-Best Actor - International Competition: nominated
2024Astra Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2024CCA Super Award-Best Actor in an Action Movie: nominated
2024DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2024FFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2024Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2024IFJA Award-Best Supporting Performance: nominated
2024Sierra Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2024MMCG Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2024NYFCO Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2024OAFFC Award-Best Supporting Male: nominated
2024SDFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2024SFCS Award-Best Villain: nominated
2024SLFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2024TFCA Award-Outstanding Supporting Performance: nominated
2024FCA Award-Supporting Actor of the Year: winner
2024WAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2025AACTA International Award-Best Supporting Actor in Film: nominated
2025Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2025EDA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2025Black Reel-Outstanding Film: nominated
2025Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Performance: nominated
2025CinEuphoria-Best Supporting Actor - International Competition: nominated
2025COFCA Award-Best Supporting Performance: nominated
2025Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2025CCA Super Award-Best Villain in a Movie: nominated
2025DFCS Award-Best Supporting Performance by an Actor, Male: nominated
2025DFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2025Independent Spirit Award-Best First Feature: nominated
2025GAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2025Golden Globe-Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture: nominated
2025Golden Schmoes-Best Supporting Actor of the Year: nominated
2025HFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2025Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
2025ICFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2025IFTA Award-Best International Actor: nominated
2025KCFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2025ALFS Award-Supporting Actor of the Year: nominated
2025MCFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2025NCFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2025PCA Award-Best Male Supporting Role: nominated
2025Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2026Black Reel-Outstanding Lead Performance: nominated