Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. is an American actor and filmmaker. He has been described as an actor who reconfigured "the concept of classic movie stardom".
Denzel Washington was born Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. on December 28, 1954, in Mount Vernon, New York. His mother, Lennis (Lyles), worked as a beauty parlor owner and operator while his father, Denzel Hayes Washington Sr., served in the military and later worked as a Pentecostal minister. Washington's parents divorced when he was 14 years old. He has two siblings: brother David (a former actor) and sister Lorice (a former actress).
Washington attended Pennington-Grimes Elementary School in Mount Vernon until 1968 and then attended Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida from 1969 to 1971. He moved back to New York where he attended Fordham University for two years before transferring to the historically black college Howard University in Washington D.C., where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama and Journalism in 1977.
Washington began his career with small roles on television shows such as St. Elsewhere and then went on to star in several successful films including Cry Freedom (1987), Malcolm X (1992), The Pelican Brief (1993), Philadelphia (1993), Courage under Fire (1996), Remember the Titans (2000) Training Day (2001) and American Gangster (2007). He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Training Day and received numerous other awards including two Golden Globe Awards, four NAACP Image Awards and two Grammy Awards.
In addition to acting, Washington is also an accomplished director having directed Antwone Fisher (2002) The Great Debaters (2007) Fences (2016)and Roman J Israel Esq.(2017). In 2016 he was awarded the Cecil B DeMille Award at the 73rd Golden Globe Awards for his outstanding contribution to film over the course of his career.
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1954</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Denzel Washington is Born</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">On December 28, 1954, Denzel Washington was born in Mount Vernon, New York.</p></div>
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1976</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Graduates from Fordham University</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">Washington graduates from Fordham University with a major in Drama and Journalism.</p></div>
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1981</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Acting Debut in Carbon Copy</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">Washington makes his acting debut in the movie Carbon Copy.</p></div>
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1989</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Gains Hollywood Fame with Glory</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">Washington gains widespread recognition for his starring role in the movie Glory, for which he won a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award.</p></div>
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1995</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Wins Academy Award for Best Actor </h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">Washington wins an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the movie The Hurricane.</p></div>
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">2005</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Receives Kennedy Center Honor</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">Washington is honored with the Kennedy Center Honors for his lifetime contribution to American culture through performing arts.</p></div>
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">2016</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">President Obama awards Washington with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor.</p></div>
<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">A.</span> He's a Great Actor</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Denzel Washington is a great actor with an impressive career in both television and films. He has won several awards throughout his career, including two Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role.</p></div>
<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">B.</span> He's a Great Role Model</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Denzel Washington is an inspiring role model for young people. He has spoken out against violence and championed social causes such as equal rights. He also uses his celebrity status to help those in need.</p></div>
<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">C.</span> His Movies are Entertaining</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Denzel Washington's movies are always entertaining and often make us laugh, cry, and think. His roles range from thrilling action movies to heartfelt dramas, and each performance is unique and captivating.</p></div>
<div id="" class="facts-item"><h3 id="" class="facts-title"><span class="facts-number">1.</span> Graduated from Fordham University</h3><p id="" class="facts-text">Denzel Washington attended Fordham University and graduated with a degree in journalism and later attended the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco to study acting.</p></div>
<div id="" class="facts-item"><h3 id="" class="facts-title"><span class="facts-number">2.</span> Served in the U.S. Marine Corps</h3><p id="" class="facts-text">Before becoming an actor, Denzel Washington served in the United States Marine Corps from 1977 to 1979.</p></div>
<div id="" class="facts-item"><h3 id="" class="facts-title"><span class="facts-number">3.</span> Two Time Academy Award Winner</h3><p id="" class="facts-text">Denzel Washington is a two-time Academy Award winning actor, winning Best Supporting Actor for his role in Glory in 1989 and Best Actor for his role in Training Day in 2001.</p></div>
<div id="" class="facts-item"><h3 id="" class="facts-title"><span class="facts-number">4.</span> Owns His Own Production Company</h3><p id="" class="facts-text">Denzel Washington owns his own production company, Mundy Lane Entertainment, which has produced films such as The Great Debaters and Antwone Fisher.</p></div>
<div id="" class="facts-item"><h3 id="" class="facts-title"><span class="facts-number">5.</span> Honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame</h3><p id="" class="facts-text">In 2010, Denzel Washington was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the film industry.</p></div>