Denzel Washington American Actor Born 1954 in Mount Vernon
Denzel Washington · film director and film producer · American
Known for
Biography
Denzel Washington was born on 28 December 1954 in Mount Vernon. He is an American actor. Today he is 71 years old. Among the titles he is known for are A Century of Cinema (1994) and Malcolm X (1992).
The earliest of his listed screen credits is Wilma, from 1977. In total, 60 films and 2 TV series are listed from 1977 to 2026. Listed parts include Alonzo Harris in Training Day (2001), Lincoln Rhyme in The Bone Collector (1999) and Robert McCall in The Equalizer (2014). The list ends, for now, with Here Comes the Flood (2026). Beyond acting, the credits show him as director on 4 titles, including A Journal for Jordan.
Sports records list him with Fordham Rams men's basketball.
He has collected 14 awards, with 13 nominations also listed. The first recorded win came with Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1990 for Glory. More recently, he won Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025.
Filmography
62 credits| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Here Comes the Flood | Film | |
| 2025 | Highest 2 Lowest | Film | |
| 2024 | Gladiator II | Macrinus | Film |
| 2023 | The Equalizer 3 | Robert McCall | Film |
| 2021 | A Journal for Jordan | Director | Film |
| 2021 | The Little Things | Film | |
| 2021 | The Tragedy of Macbeth | Macbeth | Film |
| 2018 | The Equalizer 2 | Robert McCall | Film |
| 2017 | Roman J. Israel, Esq. | Film | |
| 2016 | Fences | Director | Film |
| 2016 | The Magnificent Seven | Chisolm | Film |
| 2014 | Champs | Film | |
| 2014 | Once in a Lifetime | Film | |
| 2014 | The Equalizer | Robert McCall | Film |
| 2013 | 2 Guns | Film |
Show all 62 credits
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Flight | Film | |
| 2012 | Safe House | Film | |
| 2010 | The Book of Eli | Film | |
| 2010 | Unstoppable | Film | |
| 2009 | The Taking of Pelham 123 | Film | |
| 2007 | American Gangster | Frank Lucas | Film |
| 2007 | The Great Debaters | Director | Film |
| 2006 | Déjà Vu | Doug Carlin | Film |
| 2006 | Inside Man | Film | |
| 2004 | Man on Fire | Film | |
| 2004 | The Manchurian Candidate | Film | |
| 2003 | Out of Time | Film | |
| 2002 | Antwone Fisher | Director | Film |
| 2002 | John Q | Film | |
| 2001 | Training Day | Alonzo Harris | Film |
| 2000 | Remember the Titans | Herman Boone | Film |
| 1999 | The Bone Collector | Lincoln Rhyme | Film |
| 1999 | The Hurricane | Rubin Carter | Film |
| 1998 | Fallen | Film | |
| 1998 | He Got Game | Film | |
| 1998 | The Siege | Film | |
| 1996 | Courage Under Fire | Film | |
| 1996 | The Preacher's Wife | Film | |
| 1995 | Crimson Tide | Film | |
| 1995 | Devil in a Blue Dress | Ezekiel "Easy" Rawlins | Film |
| 1995 | Virtuosity | Film | |
| 1994 | A Century of Cinema | Film | |
| 1993 | Much Ado About Nothing | Film | |
| 1993 | Philadelphia | Film | |
| 1993 | The Pelican Brief | Film | |
| 1992 | Malcolm X | Film | |
| 1991 | Mississippi Masala | Film | |
| 1991 | Ricochet | Film | |
| 1990 | Heart Condition | Film | |
| 1990 | Mo' Better Blues | Film | |
| 1989 | Glory | Private Silas Trip | Film |
| 1989 | The Mighty Quinn | Film | |
| 1988 | For Queen and Country | Film | |
| 1987 | Cry Freedom | Steve Biko | Film |
| 1986 | Power | Film | |
| 1986 | The George McKenna Story | George J. McKenna III | Film |
| 1984 | A Soldier's Story | Film | |
| 1984–1995 | Rabbit Ears Productions | TV series | |
| 1982– | St. Elsewhere | TV series | |
| 1981 | Carbon Copy | Film | |
| 1979 | Coriolanus | Film | |
| 1977 | Wilma | Film |
Awards and nominations
14 won, 13 nominated| Year | Award | For | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Presidential Medal of Freedom | Won | |
| 2022 | Presidential Medal of Freedom | Won | |
| 2014 | Donostia Award | Won | |
| 2010 | Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play | Fences | Won |
| 2009 | Horatio Alger Award | Won | |
| 2002 | Academy Award for Best Actor | Training Day | Won |
| 2002 | MTV Movie Award for Best Villain | Training Day | Won |
| 2001 | Jane Fonda Humanitarian Award | Won | |
| 2000 | Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama | The Hurricane | Won |
| 2000 | Silver Bear for Best Actor | The Hurricane | Won |
| 1993 | Silver Bear for Best Actor | Malcolm X | Won |
| 1990 | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor | Glory | Won |
| 1990 | Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture | Glory | Won |
| Honorary Palme d'Or | Won | ||
| 2022 | Academy Award for Best Actor | The Tragedy of Macbeth | Nominated |
Show all 27 entries
| Year | Award | For | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Academy Award for Best Actor | Roman J. Israel, Esq. | Nominated |
| 2017 | Academy Award for Best Actor | Fences | Nominated |
| 2017 | Academy Award for Best Picture | Fences | Nominated |
| 2013 | Academy Award for Best Actor | Flight | Nominated |
| 2008 | MTV Movie Award for Best Villain | American Gangster | Nominated |
| 2002 | Academy Award for Best Actor | Training Day | Nominated |
| 2002 | Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor | Training Day | Nominated |
| 2000 | Academy Award for Best Actor | The Hurricane | Nominated |
| 1997 | Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor | Courage Under Fire | Nominated |
| 1993 | Academy Award for Best Actor | Malcolm X | Nominated |
| 1990 | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor | Glory | Nominated |
| 1988 | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor | Cry Freedom | Nominated |
Teams
1 team| Years | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Fordham Rams men's basketball |
Personal life
He has been married to Pauletta Pearson Washington since 1983. He is the father of John David Washington, Olivia Washington and Malcolm Washington. Education on record includes Pennington-Grimes Elementary School, finishing in 1968; Mainland High School; and Mount Vernon High School.
Denzel Washington Photos
Frequently asked questions
How old is Denzel Washington?
Denzel Washington is 71 years old, born on 28 December 1954 in Mount Vernon.
What is Denzel Washington known for?
Denzel Washington is known for A Century of Cinema (1994) and Malcolm X (1992).
What is Denzel Washington’s nationality?
Denzel Washington is American, born in Mount Vernon.
How tall is Denzel Washington?
Denzel Washington is 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) tall.
Who is Denzel Washington married to?
Denzel Washington is married to Pauletta Pearson Washington; they married in 1983.
Has Denzel Washington won any awards?
Yes. 14 awards are on record, including Presidential Medal of Freedom (2025).
Sources
- Wikidata (Q42101), accessed October 2026
- Photo: Gabriel Hutchinson · CC BY-SA 4.0
Last checked by the Wiki of Celebs editorial team
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