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)

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)

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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

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)

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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

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)

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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)

Malcolm X (1992) - brooklyngal ‏@moneorange: "@BET we didnt land on plymouth rock plymouth rock landed on us! #malcolmx #blackmoviequotes"(Photo: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)

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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)

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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)

The Hurricane (1999) - As a boxing champion wrongly accused of murder in a racially-motivated trial, Washington gave one of the most moving performances of his career. His defining moment came at the start of his life sentence, when he refuses to put on his prison uniform because he “won’t wear the clothes of a guilty man." Washington’s character is sentenced to ninety days in solitary confinement as a result of his protest, and in many ways, never comes out.(Photo: )

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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

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.)

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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.

Antwone Fisher - A touching film that follows an African-American navy man who uncovers a painful past when he makes a visit to see a psychiatrist.    (Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures / Mundy Lane Entertainment)

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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

American Gangster, Monday at 7P/6C - Denzel Washington's running New York!Here are some other movies where Denzel runs the screen.Photo: Universal Pictures)  

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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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Unstoppable (2010) - Denzel Washington and Chris Pine saved the day in the runaway train drama Unstoppable. The 2010 film grossed over $160 million at the box office. At 56 years old, Washington proves he still has star power. This same year, the actor also won a Tony Award for starring in the Broadway production of Fences.(Photo: 20th Century Fox)

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Unstoppable (2010) - Denzel Washington and Chris Pine saved the day in the runaway train drama Unstoppable. The 2010 film grossed over $160 million at the box office. At 56 years old, Washington proves he still has star power. This same year, the actor also won a Tony Award for starring in the Broadway production of Fences.(Photo: 20th Century Fox)

Photo By 20th Century Fox

Married to Denzel - Not many women can say that they starred alongside acting great Denzel Washington, much less as his wife. Ellis played the role of Theresa in the 2009 film The Taking of Pelham 123. We're sure the ladies were jealous.(Photo: Columbia Pictures)

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The Taking of Pelham 123 (2010) - Denzel Washington co-starred with John Travolta in The Taking of Pelham 123 a remake of the 1974 action film starring Walter Matthau. Washington played Walter Garber, an MTA subway dispatcher who gets the unlucky task of negotiating with a group of hijackers, led by Bernard Ryder (Travolta). After spending so much time in his old stomping ground, New York City, Washington donated $2 million to Fordham University and became an endowed chair of their theater department.(Photo: Columbia Pictures)

Photo By Columbia Pictures

Flight: November 2 - Denzel Washington puts in a powerful performance as an airline pilot with a drug and alcohol problem who miraculously lands a faulty plane destined for disaster. But amidst the hero worship and FAA cover-up, he must fix his life once and for all. Also stars Don Cheadle and John Goodman.(Photo: Paramount Pictures)

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Flight (2012) - After more than a decade, Mr. Washington was back in the Oscar race with another nod for playing a pilot struggling with addiction. The critically-acclaimed film was one of Washington's most emotionally complex roles yet, and proved his star was hotter than ever.

Photo By Paramount Pictures

The Equalizer (2014) - After another brief sojourn to Broadway, where he starred in the revival of A Raisin in the Sun, Washington is back on the big screen in The Equalizer. The film brings together the best of what the actor has to offer — gravitas, grit and, occasionally, that heart-melting grin — along with director Antoine Fuqua's heart-racing action sequences. The Equalizer comes to theaters and IMAX on September 26.  (Photo: Sony Pictures)

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The Equalizer (2014) - After another brief sojourn to Broadway, where he starred in the revival of A Raisin in the Sun, Washington is back on the big screen in The Equalizer. The film brings together the best of what the actor has to offer — gravitas, grit and, occasionally, that heart-melting grin — along with director Antoine Fuqua's heart-racing action sequences. The Equalizer comes to theaters and IMAX on September 26. (Photo: Sony Pictures)

Photo By Photo: Sony Pictures/Sony Pictures