Isaiah Washington Biography

Fast Facts

• Spent four years in the Air Force as an Aerospace Engineer
• Was the Master of Ceremonies at the first White House Summit on Malaria, held by First Lady Laura Bush to address the spread of malaria in 15 African countries
• Won two Image Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for "Grey's Anatomy" in 2006 and 2007
• Founded the Gondobay Manga Foundation to improve the lives of the people of Sierra Leone after discovering that he shares a genetic link with the Mende people on his mother's side
• Attended Howard University, where he joined the Howard Players and discovered his love for acting
• Best known for his role as Dr․ Preston Burke in the TV drama series "Grey's Anatomy․"
• Launched Coalhouse Productions in an effort to create "art that challenges the way we think․"
• Is the first African-American to receive full citizenship in Sierra Leone based solely on his genetic link to the Mende people
• Released the book "A Man from Another Land," a memoir about his early life and journey to discovering his genetic origins, in 2011
• Has appeared in four Spike Lee films: "Crooklyn," "Girl 6," "Clockers," and "Get on the Bus․"