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Denzel Hayes Washington Jr.Tall, strikingly handsome leading man of films and television in the 1980s and 1990s, Denzel Washington was born in 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York. He was the middle child of the 3 children of a Pentecostal minister father and a beautician mother. After graduating from high school, Denzel enrolled at Fordham University intent on a career in journalism. However, he caught the acting bug while appearing in student drama productions and upon graduation he moved to San Francisco and enrolled at the American Conservatory Theater.Met his wife Pauletta Washington in 1977 when both had small roles in the TV-movie Wilma (1977) (TV) (she was billed as Pauletta Pearson), the story of runner Wilma Rudolph. They wed five years later.Children: John David, Katia, and twins Malcolm and Olivia.He left A.C.T. after only 1 year to seek work as an actor. With his acting versatility and powerful sexual presence, he had no difficulty finding work in numerous television productions. He made his first big screen appearance in Carbon Copy (1981) with George Segal. Through the 1980s he worked in both movies and television and was chosen for the plum role of Dr. Chandler in NBC's hit medical series "St. Elsewhere" (1982), a role that he would play for 6 years. In 1989 he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Tripp, the runaway slave in Edward Zwick's powerful historical masterpiece Glory (1989).Through the 1990s Denzel co-starred in such big budget productions as The Pelican Brief (1993); Philadelphia (1993); Crimson Tide (1995); The Preacher's Wife (1996); and Courage Under Fire (1996) - a role for which he was paid $10 million. He lives quietly in Los Angeles with his wife Pauletta and their 4 children. Cerebral and meticulous in his film work, he made his debut as a director in 2002 with Antwone Fisher (2002).Trade Mark
Often portrays real people: Reuben Carter in The Hurricane (1999); Malcolm X in Malcolm X (1992); Herman Boone in Remember the Titans (2000); Frank Lucas in American Gangster (2007); and Steve Biko in Cry Freedom (1987).Frequently plays military men and law enforcement officers.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)). Poitier received the honorary Academy Award that same year.Attended Fordham University, receiving a B.A. in Journalism.Denzel is named after his father who was in turn named after the doctor, Doctor Denzel, who had delivered him.Supports charities such as the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, and the Gathering Place (an AIDS hospice).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".Claims his personal favorite performances are his works in Cry Freedom (1987), Glory (1989), Malcolm X (1992), and Training Day (2001).Has two films on the American Film Institute's 100 Most Inspiring Movies of All Time. They are: Glory (1989) at 31 and Philadelphia (1993) at 20.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".
Denzel credits his mother, Lennis, for keeping him grounded as he was starting to make a name for himself as an actor. "I remember coming home one time and feeling full of myself and talking, 'Did you imagine all this? I mean, I'm a star,'" Denzel says. "And she's, like, 'Negro, please. First of all, you don't know how many people been praying for you and for how long.' Then she told me to get the bucket and the squeegee and clean the windows."
Denzel and Pauletta's oldest son, John David, recently graduated from Morehouse College and is now a running back for the St. Louis Rams. John David taped a video message for his own personal mentor—his dad."When you get my father, you're going to get all of him. You don't get half, you don't get the fake, you get him," John David says. "He has that voice. I mean, he's real, he gets to you. He can motivate, he can bring that best out of you—that part you didn't know you had in you. Because of my dad, I want to be the best in what I do. He was tough—a tough dad—but as I've gotten older, he's kind of talking to me man to man. It's a great relationship. I feel like I can go to him about anything."He's my agent, my coach, my running back assistant, my eyes, my ears—I mean whatever, everything, all of that. He's on top of it. He just seems to always just have this tough perseverance, this power. I just admire his strength and his belief—I admire that the most. He's a true believer in God. He doesn't talk it, he walks it and he believes."
A high school English teacher also made a lasting impression on Denzel. To this day, Denzel says he owes his passion for reading to Jonathan Underwood, a teacher who urged his students to read The New York Times every day.
Two-time Academy Award® winner Denzel Washington is one of Hollywood's biggest stars, sexiest leading men, and most respected actors. Now he unveils his newest talent—author.
His first book, A Hand to Guide Me, co-written with Daniel Paisner, is a compilation of inspiring stories of 74 people whose lives have been guided by mentors—a subject he knows a lot about.
As a 6-year-old growing up in Mount Vernon, New York, Denzel found guidance from the Boys & Girls Club of America. Without their help, Denzel says he could have easily fallen into a life of drugs, crime or even jail.
"Of my three best friends [growing up], one is dead who did at least 15 to 25 years [in jail]. One was in the system for 28 years," he says. "All of them were in the system but me—and not that I'm any better, but it's the grace of God. It just wasn't for me."
Denzel credits the Boys & Girls Club for setting him on the right path and is now a spokesman for the organization. Sixty-five percent of the proceeds from sales of A Hand to Guide Me will go to support their causes...lia/DENZEL2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"
