Connect with us


Idols

Denzel Washington – Pulling All the Punches

Published

on


Admired for the meticulous preparation he brings to his roles and the seriousness with which he approaches his craft, Denzel Washington was summed up well by fellow actor Kenneth Branagh in an interview with Vanity Fair: “(He is a man with) intellectual weight, spiritual gravity, and a powerful sexual and romantic presence.”

Denzel was born in Mount Vernon, N.Y., to a father who was a Pentecostal minister and a mother who worked in a beauty salon. After graduating from high school, he enrolled at New York’s Fordham University and soon began acting in student drama productions, including Othello, that inspired his professor Robinson Stone to comment: “He was easily the best Othello I had ever seen, and I had seen Paul Robeson play it” (Boston Globe).

When Denzel graduated in 1977, he moved to San Francisco to study at the American Conservatory Theater, where he had won a scholarship, but he left after a year to launch his professional career. Soon he landed a part in the CBS movie Wilma, on the set of which he met his future wife, Pauletta Pearson. He enjoyed success on the New York stage, particularly as a member of the OBIE-winning cast of A Soldier’s Play.

His career took off in 1982, when he landed a role on the successful NBC hospital drama St. Elsewhere, which brought him to the attention of an admiring public and helped him land big-screen roles. He gained international recognition for his Oscar-winning performance in Glory. He can switch easily between the action of movies like The Equaliser or Two Guns to the dramatic intensity of Fences (2016) for which he was nominated for an Oscar.

Advertisement
Denzel’s big break came with a starring role on popular series St Elsewhere.

FACT FILE

Full name: Denzel Washington Jr.

Date of Birth: December 28, 1954

Place of Birth: Mount Vernon, N.Y.

Education: Graduated from Fordham University in New York City with a B.A. in Journalism. Attended the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco for one year.

Advertisement

Big break: In 1982, Denzel landed the role of debonair Doctor Philip Chandler on the well-regarded NBC drama St. Elsewhere.

Defining role: His moving and intense portrayal of a proudly defiant slave-turned-soldier in the Civil War epic Glory earned him an Academy Award and a reputation as a first-tier actor.

Quotes:
“My mother’s decision to send me to private school in high school, getting me out of New York, probably changed my life because I would not have survived in the direction I was headed.” – Los Angeles Sentinel, 11/18/98

“My idea of a great night is going to pick the kids up from their day at the mall and listening to them talk about their day.” – The London Free Press, 11/6/99

Advertisement

Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

General Hospital Today General Hospital Today
News1 hour ago

General Hospital, March 29, 2024, ABC,

Friday’s episode of General Hospital airing March 29, 2024 at 2.00pm on ABC, explores the fallout from Jason Morgan’s recent...

Good Morning America Good Morning America
News1 hour ago

Sheryl Crow, Good Morning America, March 29, 2024, ABC,

On Friday, March 29, Good Morning America presents a special celebration of the 10th year of the hit Broadway musical...

Days of Our Lives Days of Our Lives
News1 hour ago

Days of Our Lives, March 29, 2024, Peacock

On Friday, March 29, in the world of Days of Our Lives, Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) has a change of...

The Drew Barrymore Show The Drew Barrymore Show
News1 hour ago

Eugene Levy, The Drew Barrymore Show, March 29, 2024, CBS,

In the latest episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, airing on CBS on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 AM,...

CBS Mornings CBS Mornings
News1 hour ago

Diarra Kilpatrick, CBS Mornings, March 29, 2024

On Friday, March 29th, CBS Mornings will feature a special guest: Diarra Kilpatrick. Kilpatrick is not only the executive producer...

The Jennifer Hudson Show The Jennifer Hudson Show
News1 hour ago

Jenna Dewan, The Jennifer Hudson Show, March 29, 2024,

On Friday, March 29, The Jennifer Hudson Show brings viewers a delightful Spring Celebration. One of the highlights of the...

The Kelly Clarkson Show The Kelly Clarkson Show
News1 hour ago

Brittany Howard, Mayan Lopez, The Kelly Clarkson Show, March 29, 2024, NBC Syndicated

On Friday, March 29, The Kelly Clarkson Show presents an episode filled with incredible segments One of the highlights is...

LIVE with Kelly and Mark LIVE with Kelly and Mark
News1 hour ago

Andrea Riseborough, Jessica Capshaw, Live with Kelly and Mark, 29 March 2024, ABC

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos—the hosts of Live with Kelly and Mark—welcome actress Jessica Capshaw and Alice & Jack star...

Bargain Loving Brits Bargain Loving Brits
News34 seconds ago

Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun, 29 March 2024, Channel 5, “Series 11, Episode 8”

This episode of Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun airing on Friday 29 March 2024 at 4.00pm on Channel 5,...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News1 min ago

Leeds, Great British Cities with Susan Calman, 29 March 2024, “Series 1, Episode 4”

Susan Calman travels north to the vibrant city of Leeds, known locally as the Capital of the North, to uncover...

Home and Away Home and Away
News2 mins ago

Home and Away, 29 March 2024, Channel 5

This dramatic episode of Home and Away, airing on Channel 5 on Friday 29 March 2024 at 1.45pm, explores the...

ITV1 Title Card ITV1 Title Card
News5 hours ago

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen, 30 March 2024, ITV1

Set in her beautiful Cotswolds home, Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen sees the legendary cook share her favourite recipes, as well...

Bargain Hunt Bargain Hunt
News7 hours ago

Bargain Hunt, 1 April 2024, BBC One, “Asian Special”

In a special Asian-focused episode of Bargain Hunt, presenter Roo Irvine delves into some of the program’s most remarkable finds...

Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics
News1 day ago

Nissan Figaro & Ferrari 250 GT, Bangers & Cash, March 28, 2024, Yesterday

On Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:00 PM., Yesterday presents a brand new episode of Bangers & Cash. This reality...

Big Mood Big Mood
News1 day ago

Big Mood Episode 2, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Down”

Continue the laughter and heartfelt moments with the second episode of Big Mood on Thursday, 28 March 2024 at 10:30...

Rob Beckett's Smart TV Rob Beckett's Smart TV
News1 day ago

Natasia Demetriou, Anna Maxwell-Martin, Cush Jumbo, Romesh Ranganathan, Rob Beckett’s Smart TV, 28 March 2024, Sky Max,

Rob Beckett’s Smart TV is back with another entertaining episode on Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM on Sky...

Popular