Washington's big break came when he starred in the popular television hospital drama, St. Elsewhere. In 1989, Washington won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for playing in the film Glory.

Washington played one of his most critically acclaimed roles in 1992's Malcolm X, directed by Spike Lee. His performance as the Black Nationalist leader earned him an Oscar nomination. Malcolm X transformed Washington's career, turning him, practically overnight, into one of Hollywood's most respected actors.

During the early and mid 1990s, Washington became a renowned Hollywood leading man, starring in several successful thrillers, including The Pelican Brief and Crimson Tide, as well comedies Much Ado About Nothing and romantic dramas The Preacher's Wife.

In 1999, Washington starred in The Hurricane. Washington did receive a Golden Globe Award in 2000 and a 'Silberner Bär' (Silver Berlin Bear) at the Berlin International Film Festival for the role.

His film, Inside Man, a Spike Lee-directed bank heist thriller co-starring Jodie Foster and Clive Owen, opened on March 24, 2006.

Public Name: Denzel Washington
Birth Name: Denzel Jermaine Washington, Jr.
Date of Birth: December 28, 1954
Place of Birth: Mount Vernon, New York

Filmography

• The Great Debaters (2007)
• American Gangster (2007)
• Deja Vu (2006)
• Inside Man (2006)
• The Manchurian Candidate (2004)
• Man on Fire (2004)
• Out of Time (2003/I)
• Antwone Fisher (2002)
• John Q (2002)
• Training Day (2001)
• Remember the Titans (2000)
• The Hurricane (1999)
• The Bone Collector (1999)
• The Siege (1998/I)
• He Got Game (1998)
• Fallen (1998)
• Mother Goose: A Rappin' and Rhymin' Special (1997)
• The Preacher's Wife (1996)
• Courage Under Fire (1996)
• Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)
• Virtuosity (1995)
• Crimson Tide (1995)
• "Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child" (1995)
• Philadelphia (1993)
• The Pelican Brief (1993)
• Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
• Malcolm X (1992)
• Jammin': Jelly Roll Morton on Broadway (1992)
• Ricochet (1991)
• Mississippi Masala (1991)
• Mo' Better Blues (1990)
• Heart Condition (1990)
• Glory (1989)
• The Mighty Quinn (1989)
• For Queen and Country (1988)
• "St. Elsewhere" (6 episodes, 1982-1988)
• Cry Freedom (1987)
• Baka: The People of the Rainforest (1987)
• Power (1986)
• The George McKenna Story (1986)
• A Soldier's Story (1984)
• License to Kill (1984)
• Carbon Copy (1981)
• Flesh & Blood (1979)
• Coriolanus (1979)
• Wilma (1977)

Awards

• American Cinematheque Award 2002
• NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture "Training Day" 2002
• NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture "John Q" 2002
• NAACP Image Award Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture "Antwone Fisher" 2002
• NAACP Image Award Best Picture "Antwone Fisher" 2002
• Washington Film Critics Award Best Director "Antwone Fisher" 2002
• American Film Institute Award Actor of the Year - Male - Movies "Training Day" 2001
• Boston Society of Film Critics Award Best Actor "Training Day" 2001
• Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award Best Actor "Training Day" 2001
• NAACP Image Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture "Remember the Titans" 2001
• Oscar Best Actor "Training Day" 2001
• Berlin Film Festival Silver Bear Best Actor "The Hurricane" 2000
• Women in Film Norman Zarky Humanitarian Award 2000
• Golden Globe Award Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama) "The Hurricane" 1999
• NAACP Image Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture "The Hurricane" 1999
• NAACP Image Award Entertainer of the Year 1997
• NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture "Courage Under Fire" 1997
• NAACP Image Award Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children's Series or Special "Happily Ever After: Mother Goose" 1997
• ShoWest Actor of the Year Award 1997
• NAACP Image Award Entertainer of the Year 1996
• NAACP Image Award Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children's Series or Special "Happily Ever After: Rumpelstiltskin" 1995
• NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture "Crimson Tide" 1995
• MTV Movie Award Best Male Performance "Malcolm X" 1993
• Sundance Film Festival Piper-Heidsieck Tribute to Independent Vision 1993
• Berlin Film Festival Silver Bear Best Actor "Malcolm X" 1992
• Boston Society of Film Critics Award Best Actor "Malcolm X" 1992
• Chicago Film Critics Association Award Best Actor "Malcolm X" 1992
• NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture "Mississippi Masala" 1992
• New York Film Critics Circle Award Best Actor "Malcolm X" 1992
• Golden Globe Award Best Supporting Actor "Glory" 1989
• Oscar Best Supporting Actor "Glory" 1989
• Audelco Award "When the Chicken Comes Home to Roost" 1981
• OBIE Award Distinguished Ensemble Performance "A Soldier's Play" 1981 - 82