John David Washingtonmight be impressing critics once again with his mesmerizing performance inTenet, and the accomplished actor is crediting his famous father for the inspiration. Although the two Hollywood superstars share a last name, the younger Washington has really managed to stand out with his own highly-acclaimed performances. Still, as regaled in a recent issue ofPeoplemagazine, John notes that his father - the legendary Denzel Washington - continues to inspire him as his “favorite actor” and the absolute best in the business.
“I think the best actor in the industry, in the business, is my father,” John tells the publication about his dadDenzel Washington. “I’m inspired by the kind of career he’s had and what he’s had to do. Again, he’s been on the frontline for many years and what he’s done with it, with his opportunities, I just am so inspired and continue to be inspired by what he does and how he works and his approach to the craft and the business.”
John also credits his mother for continuing to inspire him as well. “Pauletta Washington gives me inspiration.That’s my mother, the most consistent person in my life,” he said.
Washington family patriarch Denzel is anOscar-winning actor, picking up a Best Supporting Actor award forGloryalong with aBest Actoraward forTraining Day. He is also very well known for his many other iconic roles portrayed over the course of his career, including Malcolm X in Spike Lee’sMalcolm X, Rubin Carter inThe Hurricane, Herman Boone inRemember the Titans, and Frank Lucas inAmerican Gangster. Denzel has proven himself to be a true talent behind the camera as a director well, with his 2016 movieFencesearning a Best Picture Oscar nomination. He will next appear alongside Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman in the Netflix Original movieMa Rainey’s Black Bottom.
Determined to make it based on his own talents, John has admitted that he used to lie about who his father was so that he wouldn’t be cast in a project just for being Denzel’s son. His breakout role as an actor came in the popular HBO seriesBallers, which starred the younger Washington in a lead role as Ricky Jerret. He also starred asDetective Ron Stallworthin the movieBlacKkKlansman, which earned him Best Actor nominations at the Screen Actors Guild Awards nad the Golden Globes.
In a 2018 interview, Denzel also toldPeoplehow John managed to find his own way in Hollywood, and the elder Washington couldn’t appear to be more proud.
“That’s my son, I love my boy and I’m just happy he’s his own man, he’s independent,” Denzel explained. “He’s really good at what he does, and the fact that he’s beenfighting to make his own mark, he didn’t want any help from me, I didn’t help him get ontoBallersor anything like that.”
There are certainly many who would agree that Denzel is one of today’s greatest actors, and we all need to be keeping an eye on John as well. You can catch John David Washington on the big screen inTenet, now playing in select theaters. This news comes to us fromPeople.
