![]() ![]() His critical acclaim for the role of the Black Nationalist leader won him an Academy Award for Best Actor and a box office turnover of $73 million. Then in 1992, Denzel played possibly the most legendary and influential role of his career in Malcolm X, directed again by Spike Lee. The film remains a classic and grossed over $16 million at the US box office. Teaming up with his close pal and movie director/actor, Spike Lee, Denzel starred in the musical comedy-drama, Mo' Better Blue, opposite other greats such as Wesley Snipes, Giancarlo Esposito, and Wesley Snipes. With his name already buzzing in Hollywood as the next best thing since Cadbury, the 1990s would be a defining year for the Manchurian Candidate star. Then in 1986, he appeared as Arnold Billings in the political drama film, Power, next to Richard Gere, Gene Hackman, and Kate Capshaw. Starring alongside David Alan Grier and Patti LaBelle, it grossed over $21 million at the box office. The movie was an adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, A Soldier's Play, which Denzel also starred in as Private First Class Melvin Peterson in 1981. According to Business Insider, the show was a remarkable success, raking in 22.5 million viewers during its stint from 1982 to 1988.ĭuring those years, he would also play the lead actor in the mystery drama film, A Soldier's Story, in 1984. where he co-starred with Mark Harmon, Howie Mandel, and Ed Begley Jr. Moving forward, his next major break came in the form of the NBC medical drama series, St. For his first appearance, $9 million wasn't a terrible start, considering its value in 1981 was much different from present-day. By 1981, he made his first film appearance in the comedy-drama, Carbon Copy, alongside George Segal and Susan Saint James, grossing $9 million. Though he began mainly in theatrical stage performances, he was able to secure a spot in the made-for-television film, Wilma, in 1977. After his time at YMCA, he returned to Fordham University to study acting full-time with the intent of pursuing acting professionally. Which, as his extraordinary filmography can attest to, he did. Unsure of which career path to take, he took working as a creative art director at YMCA in Connecticut, where his stunning stage presence during a staff talent show caused his colleagues to suggest he try out acting. After graduating from the Oakland Military Academy in New York, he attended Fordham University where he graduated with a BA in drama and journalism in 1977. Born in Mount Vernon, New York in 1954, he was the son of an ordained Pentecostal Minister, Denzel Hayes Washington Sr., and beauty parlor owner, Lennis 'Lynne'. Jackson and Wesley Snipes, Washington is probably the most esteemed and experienced African-American actor in all of Hollywood. Name an actor who has starred in the biographical film of a major historical religious minister,Den and civil rights activist, has a movie portfolio of under 70 films, and has a net worth of close to $300 million? You hit the nail on the head if you guessed Denzel Washington! Compared to Samuel L. ![]()
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