Denzel Washington is easily one of the most recognizable preeminent actors in Hollywood. Washington has starred in many iconic, mind-bending, award-winning, and blockbuster films that have helped him cement his top-shelf spot and establish himself as a leading star. The legendary star has earned several accolades and honors for his cinematic skills, for he creates magic on the silver screen, and to date, no one can match his level of acting. 

In his storied career, the 68-year-old actor has worked with enough A-list directors and celebrities in big banner projects. The Mount Vernon native actor has been ruling the silver screen since stepping into showbiz to become an actor, but many might not know that he didn’t always desire to become a star. He once revealed how he began his acting journey and found his ultimate passion for cinema.

Denzel Washington Admits He Wasn’t Initially Interested in Acting

Denzel Washington

Hollywood stalwart Denzel Washington has proved his versatility by starring in multi-genre movies throughout his run as a leading actor in Hollywood.

Washington has collaborated with top-echelon directors like Robert Zemeckis, Kenneth Branagh, and Antoine Fuqua on their passion projects. His popularity has become universal due to his proficiency to excel at his on-screen characters, making him one of the highest-paid and in-demand talents.

In addition to his acting legacy, his work behind the camera as a successful filmmaker has served him well. However, the Academy Award-winning actor once revealed that he initially wasn’t interested in acting or becoming an actor claiming he was hesitant. In a candid interview at The Hollywood Reporter’s annual Director Roundtable, the Flight movie star revealed that he didn’t grow up being a cinema lover, saying,

“I didn’t grow up a film [lover]. My father was a minister, so The Ten Commandments and King of Kings was it. That’s all we saw. And we went to church. I didn’t go to movies, wasn’t interested in movies.”

Denzel Washington

The Hurricane movie star further shared that he joined theater and began his acting journey stating,

“I started acting in the theater at Fordham University, and we were snobs and thought we’d make $650 on Broadway one day. But I started [seeing] Taxi Driver, Mean Streets, Straight Time, Marathon Man – [movies that starred] anybody with an “O” – Pacino, De Niro, Hoffman-o. I didn’t see anybody who looked like me, so I didn’t aspire to act in movies, but I liked those New York movies.”

Denzel Washington, who began his acting career in theatre, claimed that at the time when he was in the learning stage of cinematic art, he was hesitant and didn’t aspire to act in movies, believing there were only a few African American actors in the movie business and big stars like Al Pacino and Robert De Niro were ruling the film industry.

Denzel Washington Reveals Why He Didnt See Himself As a Leading Star

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington has been in the movie business for decades, during which he has worked with top-tier directors and actors and made a name for himself. Washington, who has successfully led many monumental projects, once revealed that he didn’t consider himself a leading star, saying,

“These are all categories. Leading man is something that someone calls you when you do press junkets. I’m not a leading man, Im an actor, and so you get the part and interpret it,”

Washington is an actor-director par excellence who has won many prominent awards and top billings for his extraordinary performances on the silver screen. The actor has worked in iconic films like Glory, Malcolm X, Fences, Inside Man, and Crimson Tide.