Life in Film: Denzel Washington
We're taking a look back at the actor's career as he celebrates his 69th birthday.
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Denzel Washington turns 69 on Dec. 28 and we're celebrating his birthday by looking back on some of his memorable roles.
Photo By (Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images)
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Cry Freedom (1987) - Washington has played a number of notable historical figures in his career, but his first biopic was Cry Freedom, in which he played South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko. The role earned Washington his first-ever Academy Award nomination and the film was shot the same year his daughter Katia was born. The actor and his wife, Pauletta Pearson, already had a son, John David. We're sure the young actor's family was incredibly proud seeing him earn rave reviews for this important role! (Photo: Universal Pictures)
Photo By Photo: Universal Pictures
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Glory (1989) - Washington really landed on Hollywood's radar with his incredibly impactful role in Glory. For his portrayal as a defiant soldier and former slave in the Civil War drama, Washington earned his first golden statuette at the Academy Awards (for Best Supporting Actor). (Photo: REUTERS/Lee Celano /Landov)
Photo By REUTERS/Lee Celano /Landov
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Mo’ Better Blues (1990) - Film director Spike Lee and Denzel Washington first worked together in 1990 on Mo’ Better Blues. The movie focused on the life of fictional trumpeter Bleek Gilliam, played by Washington. By the time the film released, Washington and his wife welcomed twins Olivia and Malcolm. At 37 years old, it seemed the actor's life was just beginning.(Photo: Universal Pictures)
Photo By Universal Pictures)
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Malcolm X (1992) - Denzel Washington was nominated once again for an Academy Award for Best Actor in his portrayal of Malcolm X in the 1992 biographical film. Despite initial concerns about Washington being the right actor for the movie, there was no question that he nailed the role of the legendary Muslim human rights activist. While making the film, Washington was recognized as a leader in the arts with an honorary doctorate from his alma mater Fordham University.(Photo: Warner Bros.)
Photo By Photo: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks/Photo: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)
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Philadelphia (1993) - A groundbreaking film that tackled the issues of homophobia and HIV/AIDS, Philadelphia co-stars Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks. Washington’s character (Joe Miller) is a homophobic attorney who first turns down a case by Hanks' character because he has the AIDS virus. Miller eventually takes the case after noticing how others treat Miller when they find out he has AIDS. Around this time, Washington and wife Pauletta Pearson celebrated their 10-year wedding anniversary and renewed their vows — with Archbishop Desmond Tutu officiating — making Washington not only a celebrated actor, but a role model for men everywhere.(Photo: TriStar Pictures)
Photo By TriStar Pictures)
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The Hurricane (1999) - Washington won a Golden Globe award for Best Actor for his portrayal of real-life middleweight boxing champ Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, who was falsely convicted of murder and given three back-to-back life sentences. The actor earned nearly universally-positive reviews for the biopic, with Roger Ebert calling it "one of the best performances of his career."
Photo By Universal Pictures
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Training Day (2001) - In this unforgettable role that won him an Oscar for Best Actor in 2002, Denzel Washington is Alonzo Harris, a corrupt LAPD detective who gives his rookie partner (Ethan Hawke) a hellacious first day on the job. The film was directed by The Equalizer director Antoine Fuqua, marking the first and only other time the pair have worked together. The duo are poised to recreate their Oscars magic with the new film.(Photo: Warner Bros.)
Photo By Warner Bros.
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Antwone Fisher (2002) - Denzel Washington made his directorial debut with the 2002 drama Antwone Fisher, starring rising actors Derek Luke and Joy Bryant. The film is about a sailor (Fisher) who is forced to relive his traumatic childhood after visiting with a naval psychologist, played by Washington.(Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Photo By Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures / Mundy Lane Entertainment/Fox Searchlight Pictures / Mundy Lane Entertainment
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American Gangster (2007) - Ever so often, Denzel Washington will play the role of the bad guy. In American Gangster, he did just that by portraying Harlem drug kingpin Frank Lucas. Russell Crowe’s character, Richie Roberts, attempts to bring down Lucas, who is smuggling heroin to New York from Vietnam.(Photo: Universal Pictures)
Photo By Universal Pictures
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