History Creator / DenzelWashington

* ''Theatre/{{Fences}}'' (2016) - Troy

* {{Catchphrase}}: When Denzel says "I guarantee it", you can take that guarantee to the goddamn bank and cash it.

Washington has been awarded three UsefulNotes/{{Golden Globe Award}}s and two UsefulNotes/{{Academy Award}}s for his work. He is notable as the second African American man (after Creator/SidneyPoitier) to win the [[UsefulNotes/AcademyAwardForBestActorInALeadingRole Academy Award for Best Actor]], which he received for his role in the 2001 film ''Film/TrainingDay''. He starred as John Creasy in ''Film/ManOnFire'', followed by leading roles in the 2006 thriller ''Film/DejaVu2006'', the 2009 remake of ''[[Film/TheTakingOfPelhamOneTwoThree The Taking of Pelham 123]]'', and the 2010 post-apocalyptic action film ''Film/TheBookOfEli''. He also played Joe Miller in ''Film/{{Philadelphia}}'', which was the second big-budget Hollywood film to present AIDS, homophobia, and gay people in a realistic and thoughtful light.

Early in his career he did a lot of theater; Washington was in the original cast of Pulitzer Prize-winning play ''Theatre/ASoldiersPlay''.[[note]]He reprised his role in the film adaptation ''Film/ASoldiersStory'', which was one of his first big movie parts.[[/note]] Although his first major role was on television, in the classic '80s EnsembleCast MedicalDrama ''Series/StElsewhere'', Washington has garnered much critical acclaim for his work in film since the late 1980s, including for his portrayals of real-life figures, such as Steve Biko (''Film/CryFreedom''), ''Film/MalcolmX'', Rubin Carter (''The Hurricane''), Melvin B. Tolson (''The Great Debaters''), Frank Lucas (''Film/AmericanGangster'') and Herman Boone (''Film/RememberTheTitans''). In case you're wondering, he's been approached to play UsefulNotes/MartinLutherKingJr, but he's declined for fear of the {{Typecasting}} that kind of role would create.

Washington has been awarded three Golden Globe awards and two UsefulNotes/{{Academy Award}}s for his work. He is notable as the second African American man (after Creator/SidneyPoitier) to win the UsefulNotes/{{Academy Award}} for Best Actor, which he received for his role in the 2001 film ''Film/TrainingDay.'' He starred as John Creasy in ''Film/ManOnFire'', followed by leading roles in the 2006 thriller ''Film/DejaVu2006'', the 2009 remake of ''[[Film/TheTakingOfPelhamOneTwoThree The Taking of Pelham 123]]'', and the 2010 post-apocalyptic action film ''Film/TheBookOfEli''. He also played Joe Miller in ''Film/{{Philadelphia}}'', which was the second big-budget Hollywood film to present AIDS, homophobia, and gays in a realistic and thoughtful light.

* RealMenLoveJesus: He's the son of a pastor, and considered following in his father's footsteps before going into acting. He's also noted that he reads his Bible daily and prays regularly. His film roles tend to incorporate this, including ''The Book of Eli'' and ''Flight''.

* ''Film/MalcolmX'' (1992) - Malcolm X

* CoolOldGuy: This interview shows a more fun-loving side to the Denzel we see in movies. https://youtu.be/wa4m0LID3ic]]

* OldShame: Washington wishes he had never done ''Heart Condition'', claiming that he was talked into making this movie by his agent and once it was slammed by critics and bombed horribly, Washington fired him shortly thereafter.

For his 2012 film ''Safe House'', he allowed himself to be [[MethodActing water-boarded for real]] to [[DoingItForTheArt make the performance more realistic]]. His next film was ''Film/{{Flight}}'', which came out in November 2012, and for which he was nominated for another Oscar. He would later be nominated for ''Theatre/{{Fences}}'' and ''Film/RomanJIsraelEsq''. He also produced films without starring in them, such as ''Film/MaRaineysBlackBottom''.

* SingleTear: During the infamous [[ATasteOfTheLash whipping scene]] in Film/{{Glory}}, he only sheds ''one'' tear, at the end, which is imprassive for the strength and length with which he was whipped. In Film/{{Flight}} he again sheds a single tear when he starts talking about his (estranged) son in the hospital after the crash.

* ''Film/ManOnFire'' (2004) - John Creasy

* SingleTear: During the infamous [[ATasteOfTheLash whipping scene]]in Film/{{Glory}}, he only sheds ''one'' tear, at the end, which is imprassive for the strength and length with which he was whipped. In Film/{{Flight}} he again sheds a single tear when he starts talking about his (estranged) son in the hospital after the crash.

* BadassBaritone: His deep, rumbling voice is a hallmark of many of his characters, and it's equally intimidating whether it's mumbled or screamed.

Early in his career he did a lot of theater; Washington was in the original cast of Pulitzer Prize-winning play ''Film/ASoldiersPlay''.[[note]]He reprised his role in the film adaptation ''Film/ASoldiersStory'', which was one of his first big movie parts.[[/note]] Although his first major role was on television, in the classic '80s EnsembleCast MedicalDrama ''Series/StElsewhere'', Washington has garnered much critical acclaim for his work in film since the late 1980s, including for his portrayals of real-life figures, such as Steve Biko (''Film/CryFreedom''), ''Film/MalcolmX'', Rubin Carter (''The Hurricane''), Melvin B. Tolson (''The Great Debaters''), Frank Lucas (''Film/AmericanGangster'') and Herman Boone (''Film/RememberTheTitans''). In case you're wondering, he's been approached to play UsefulNotes/MartinLutherKingJr, but he's declined for fear of the {{Typecasting}} that kind of role would create.

Although his first major role was on television, in the classic '80s EnsembleCast MedicalDrama ''Series/StElsewhere'', Washington has garnered much critical acclaim for his work in film since the late 1980s, including for his portrayals of real-life figures, such as Steve Biko (''Film/CryFreedom''), ''Film/MalcolmX'', Rubin Carter (''The Hurricane''), Melvin B. Tolson (''The Great Debaters''), Frank Lucas (''Film/AmericanGangster'') and Herman Boone (''Film/RememberTheTitans''). In case you're wondering, he's been approached to play UsefulNotes/MartinLutherKingJr, but he's declined for fear of the {{Typecasting}} that kind of role would create.

* CoolOldGuy: [[This interview https://youtu.be/wa4m0LID3ic]] depicts him as such.

* CoolOldGuy: https://youtu.be/wa4m0LID3ic