WASHINGTON DECEIVED
Denzel Washington is only doing a job as an actor
Danny Bowman says he’s not looking to be a star
Compiled by hub.branded
“My job is to act and I want to be
good at it. I’m not even trying
to be famous; I’m simply
trying to do my work”
Over the last three decades, Denzel Washington has been one of the most consistent box office draws in Hollywood. Washington says that many years after success first came his way, he realised that his wife of 30 years, his preacher father and the Bible have been the true cornerstones of his success.
Let’s get one thing straight: Denzel is not a celebrity. He’s an actor. A theatre trained actor at that. “My job is to act and I want to be good at it. I’m not even trying to be famous; I’m simply trying to do my work,” he says firmly.
His work is rarely less than brilliant. A Soldier’s Story, Glory, Malcolm X, Philadelphia, Training Day, The Hurricane and American Gangster are some of Washington’s career highlights – all iconic roles that make him one of Hollywood’s most prestigious leading men.
He’s the last of a dying breed, uncontaminated by the Hollywood razzmatazz and a pure film actor. He confesses: “I don’t read reviews but you get a sense of what’s going on. And that feels good.”
Despite turning 65 last Christmas, Washington still excels in the action sequences that have patterned so many of his movie successes.
“I take that stuff seriously; it’s good for me and good for the integrity of the film. People are paying to see me so that’s who they should see, not some guy in a wig. Although the guys in the wigs are very good,” he says with a laugh.
“For The Equalizer movies, I filmed over 90 percent of the scenes myself. Navy SEALs were drafted in to help train the cast and I spent about six months training, boxing and doing martial arts in preparation for each movie,” Denzel reveals.
And he explains that “even though it can be exhausting, there’s a lot of satisfaction in getting your body in optimal shape and also being able to execute all the stunt work.”
Boxing is familiar territory for Washington. He had been training in the ring years prior to being cast as Rubin Carter in the boxing biopic The Hurricane. “I’ve been boxing for a long time; and of course, I did some very serious training for The Hurricane. So I’m no stranger to getting in the ring and preparing for a film, no matter what it requires,” he declares.
Denzel also insists that despite the pattern, he doesn’t necessarily feel compelled to play characters with an inspirational quality.
He continues: “I won’t play purely evil characters, or make a film that has no moral reference or grounding. But if you look at my work, I’ve made a fair number of violent films as well as movies in a variety of genres.”
“My only guide to choosing films and roles is that there has to be some underlying morality to them and something that points us towards good rather than evil,” he asserts.
Washington clarifies: “By that same logic, it’s interesting to be able to play flawed characters too. I’ve played a lot of noble figures in my career and one gets rather tired of being respectable and dignified!”
Of course, any actor worth an estimated US$ 220 million can afford to be choosy when selecting films. The iconic roles show no sign of drying up but Washington remains resolutely unassuming. “You don’t want to get ahead of yourself. You stay humble and see what happens,” he says.
At the forefront of his life is the Bible. He has read it three times front to back along with some of the Koran and Torah. His father was a Pentecostal preacher for 50 years and faith still impacts the actor greatly.
“It took me a while to realise it but I know now more than ever before that my father has been the greatest personal inspiration in my life. I draw strength from his memory and his unshakable belief in the power of all us to achieve something positive, beneficial and wonderful in life,” Denzel affirms.
Could he have ever seen himself following in his father’s footsteps as a preacher?
He replies: “I don’t know whether I could have been as committed and dedicated to the church like he was.”
“I do think I possess an inspirational streak in me; and I know that I have the desire to encourage people to become better, lift them up when they’re down or have strayed along the wrong path in life. I believe we can all help each other if we want to. I don’t want to go through life saying I didn’t help,” he states.
Washington has this to add: “Whenever I’m down or feeling sorry for myself, I take great solace in my father’s faith and spiritual strength. He was my rock – like my wife Pauletta is. I could never have achieved all that I’ve accomplished as an actor without her love and support.”
