Actor Denzel Washington is one of the most prolific actors working in Hollywood. The legendary actor has ruled the screen for over four decades with his impressive performances, earning ten nominations at the Oscars, winning twice.

Washington has been one of the most influential African-American actors, with many comparing him to actor Sidney Poitier. However, after so many years in the industry and being in the public eye, the actor revealed on The Graham Norton Show that the whole world has been pronouncing his name wrong.

Denzel Washington Says That The World Has Been Pronouncing His Name Wrong

Denzel Washington

Actor Denzel Washington has spent almost fifty years honing his craft and becoming one of the greatest performers in the industry. The two-time Oscar Award winner broke the barrier on how African-Americans were portrayed in mainstream cinema and brought a new dimension to his characters. The actor saw success as a dramatic actor, as an action star, and as a director.

Washington has been part of pop culture since his breakthrough in Glory. However, the actor revealed earlier that his name has actually been pronounced wrong for the entirety of his career.

Denzel Washington

Speaking about it on The Graham Norton Show, Washington revealed that his name is pronounced ‘Den-zil’ and not ‘Den-zel’ (it is spelled Denzel). He said,
“[My dad] was ‘Denzil’ and I’m ‘Denzil Junior’. So my mother started calling me Denzel just so you know, she’d say ‘Denzil’ and we both would show up.”
Washington was born Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. and his father, who was a preacher, was Denzel Hayes Washington Sr. The actor’s mother, Lynne Washington changed the pronunciation of his name as both the Denzel Washingtons would answer to the same name.

Denzel Washington’s Four-Decade Long Career

Denzel Washington

Call him ‘Denzel’ or ‘Denzil’, actor Denzel Washington has made sure that his name will be in the minds of the people for a long time. He has had a sprawling career filled with dramatic and heavy roles that would win during Awards season, as well as commercial successes that would make him a bankable star.

Washington started his career on the stage and went on to appear in the TV show St. Elsewhere, where he was one of the only few African-American actors to be a series regular.

He gradually started starring in films in supporting roles. He had his breakthrough with films such as A Soldier’s Story, Cry Freedom, and Glory, the latter for which he earned his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Washington saw success in the 90s with his appearances in filmmaker Spike Lee’s films as well as his choice of playing prominent African-American figures. He played Malcolm X in Spike Lee’s biopic on the controversial activist titled Malcolm X.

He earned a nomination for Best Actor at the Oscars for his role, and again for The Hurricane. He finally won another Oscar for Best Actor for his role in Training Day. The actor has since continued to star in acclaimed films and even turned director with the film Antwone Fisher.