Denzel Washington - Biography

Last Editor: Vista111				Denzel Washington Biography -   Name : Denzel Washington Birthdate : December 28, 1954 Birth Place : Mount Vernon, New York, USA Education : Fordham University Wife : Paulette Pearson Kids : John David, Katia, Malcolm and Olivia Best Known As : Star of Malcom X and Training Day Fan Mail : C/O International Creative Management 8942 Wilshire Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90211 USA

Denzel Washington Trivia -

Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#77). [1995] Children: John David (b. 1985), Katia (b. 1988), and twins Malcolm and Olivia (b. 1991) Son, Malcolm, was named in honor of Malcolm X To prepare for his role as boxer Rubin Carter in The Hurricane (1999), Washington worked out for a year with L.A. boxing trainer Terry Claybon. Attended Fordham University, receiving a B.A. in Journalism. 1996 Harvard Foundation Award In a Newsweek cover story about the biological basis of the perception of beauty, he was used as a key example in a scientific explanation why he is considered an extremely handsome man. Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world [1990] According to a 1995 Premiere magazine article, Denzel confronted director Quentin Tarantino when he visted the set of Crimson Tide (1995). Quentin had done an uncredited rewrite of the script. Denzel lambasted Tarantino about his use of racial slurs in his films. Tarantino got embarrassed and wanted to move the conversation to a more private area. Denzel said, "No, if were going to discuss it, let's discuss it now." Denzel later said he still felt that Quentin was "a fine artist". Denzel is named after his father who was in turn named after the doctor, Doctor Denzel, who had delivered him. In the early 1980s, years before he portrayed Malcolm X (1992) in the Spike Lee film, Denzel Washington portrayed Malcolm X in the off-Broadway production of "When the Chickens Came Home to Roost", at the Henry Street Theatre in NYC. Frequent collaborator of Spike Lee (3 films together). Named one of E!'s "top 20 entertainers of 2001." Supports charities such as the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, and the Gathering Place (an AIDS hospice). Met his wife Pauletta in 1977 when both had small roles in the TV-movie Wilma (1977) (TV), the story of runner Wilma Rudolph. They wed five years later. His father was a Pentecostal minister; his mother a beautician and former gospel singer. They divorced when he was 14. Is a spokesperson for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, having been a member of the Boys Club once himself. Only the second actor of color (after Sidney Poitier) to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (for Training Day (2001)) Was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine in 2002. Father of actor John David Washington Ranked #28 in Premiere's 2003 annual Power 100 List. Had ranked #40 in 2002. Often works with director Edward Zwick. Cousin is CBS anchorman Ukee Washington. He and his family are members of the same church as actors Dwayne Winstead, Sy Richardson, Marvin Wright-Bey, and Fitz Houston. Was awarded the title of "Police Chief for a Day" when he was a member of The Boys and Girls Club of America as a child. The photo was shown during his latest appearance on Regis and Kelly (Apr. 2004). Tom Hanks said working with Washington on Philadelphia (1993) was like "going to film school". Hanks said he learned more about acting by watching Denzel than from anyone else. When he was very young he was at a barber's shop with his mother and a nice old lady sitting in the corner asked his mother to write his full name down. When his mother asked why she said "Because he's going to entertain millions one day". His mother gave the old lady his name and it wasn't until later that they found out she was rumored to be some kind of local fortune teller. Cites star-athletes like Jim Brown and Gale Sayers as the role models of his youth. First studied Biology in hopes of becoming a doctor, then switched to Political Science then to a Journalism/Drama major in college. Has worn some kind of military uniform in at least six of his films. Ranked #59 on VH1's 100 Hottest Hotties Because of his pay-or-play deal on the doomed 2005 "American Gangster" project (which was to be directed by Antoine Fuqua), he was paid $20 million even though the film did not move ahead. He was voted the 39th Greatest Movie Star of all time by Premiere Magazine.

Denzel Washington Detailed Biography -

Born on December 28, 1954, in Mount Vernon, New York, his father, Denzel Sr. was a preacher and his mother, Lennis a beautician. His parents divorced when he was 14 and in an effort to keep her children from all that was going on, Denzel and his sister were sent to a private boarding school. After high school Denzel attended Fordham University, although his original plans were to study medicine, he studied journalism instead. After receiving his Bachelor's Degree, heattended Theater in San Francisco and later won a scholarship to the American Conservatory Theater. In 1982 Denzel received his big break when he got the role of Dr. Phillip Chandler on the hit series St. Elsewhere. In 1987 he recieved his first Oscar nomination for "best supporting actor" for the film "Cry Freedom" in which he played South African activist, Steven Beeko. Two years later in 1989, he was nominated for his second Oscar as "best supporting actor", which he won, for his role as Tripp, the run away slave in the film "Glory". Denzel would later be nominted three more times. In 1992, "best actor" for his role as Malcolm X, in Spike Lee's "X", 1999 "best actor" for his portrayal as Ruben Carter in, "The Hurricane". In 2001 "best actor" for his first vilan role Alonzo Harris, in "Training Day", which he won. Denzel Washington is one of today's most versatile and sought after actors in Hollywood. It's now 30 films, 2 Oscar wins and 5 Academy Award nominations (along with other honorable achievements) and over 20 years later. With his latest project as director for the film "Antwone Fisher Story", while some are fading in the hit and miss of Hollywood, Denzel shows no signs of slowing down. Inspite of staying so busy in Hollywood, Denzel has mananged to maintain his most challenging role as a husband and father. He lives in the Beverly Hills area of Los Angeles, with his wife Pauletta Pearson, who he's been with for over 20 years and his four children, John David, (who now attends Morehouse University and plays football there), Katia, Malcolm and Olivia (twins).