Since the birth of the film industry in the early 20th century, out of the thousands of actors that have passed through over the years, there are just a few that can truly be considered great. From Charlie Chaplin, Katharine Hepburn, and Humphrey Bogart to Elizabeth Taylor and Cary Grant, there are only a certain number of actors who have transcended the realms of Hollywood and etched their names into god-like status.
In modern film, that selection of actors is an even rarer commodity, making those who are members of this exclusive club arguably even more special.Denzel Washingtonis one such name that will forever be immortalized, not just as a star on the sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard, but as one of the most important actors in Hollywood history. The actor, auteur, activist, philanthropist, and family man has been a major part of Hollywood in five different decades. Having made his big-screen debut in 1981, he has starred in over 50 feature films. Yet, what is it about theAmerican Gangsterlead that has made him have so much of a cultural impact, and such a significant part of Hollywood history?
Denzel Washington’s Personal Impact on Racial Discrimination and Inequality
Hattie McDaniel made history and walked, so her future generations could run in 1939, Sidney Poitier became a trailblazer in 1964, and then Denzel Washington assumed control of the baton in 2002, inspiring the next generation of black actors. Remarkably, since the Academy Awards’ inception in 1929, in a period spanning 73 years, there have been just seven Academy Award winners who were black. While a symptom of the prejudiced and racially charged times, the aforementioned actors defied all kinds of social and political barriers with their acting talents.
Since Washington’s Best Actor Academy Award triumph for his unforgettable display inTraining Day, 14 actors have gone on to claim the prestigious golden gongs. This seismic shift, is in no small part, down to the tireless efforts of the likes of McDaniel, Poitier, and Washington, with the latter in particular acting as a considerable catalyst for further reform as far as recognizing the talents of those who are non-white. An ardent campaigner for racial equality, theFencesstar has never shied away from voicing his stance on systemic racism in not just Hollywood, but in life in general. His wisdom and calming, yet impassioned rhetoric around racial inequality in life, and in his film roles, have regularly served as poignant lessons in the urgent need for change and have proved to be massively influential in the way black actors are represented and treated within the industry.
His films and performances have regularly and effectively dispelled the misconception that the presence of black actors has somehow deterred mainstream white audiences from viewing. As such, he has redefined the role of the black lead from having to be this exceptional individual with a spotless moral compass to simply being the Everyman, with quirks, shortfalls, hopes, and dreams.
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Washington’s Remarkable Versatility
Whether it’s as the unhinged, volatile, and unpredictable Alonzo Harris inTraining Day, this headstrong, historical activist and thespian, Malcolm X, a socially attuned, highly intelligent professor inThe Great Debaters, an emotionally absent, traditional father-figure inFences, or the Shakespeare-literate, Macbeth in Ethan Coen’s 2021 noirish adaptation;The Equalizerstar has turned his hand to anything and everything, exhibiting his worldly acting ability in an immense plethora of ways.
It is no surprise that, as a classically trained actor, Washington’s back-catalog is incredibly impressive. It’s a reflection of a man unburdened by expectation, and who has this unrelenting self-confidence and faith in his faculties to deliver, regardless of the demands of the role. He oozes an organic authenticity that allows him to slot seamlessly into any film, and despite his vast fame, his name never precedes him.
There is also a real discernment to his selection of said roles, working with actors, directors, and screenwriters who will not only complement his multitude of strengths, but will also help to challenge and bring the best out of him. There are a scarce few actors around today, or that have come before him, that possess this dexterous capacity to fully immerse themselves in each and every role they undertake, and as such, Denzel Washington has become a collector’s item as far as Hollywood talents are concerned. With his versatility, being feasibly, his biggest strength, there is also a distinct coolness to many of his on-screen characters, as well as his celebrity, that speaks to his inherent likability.
Regarded as One of the Best Actors Ever
Denzel Washington is often widely considered to beone of the best actors ever, appearing in a number of definitive lists. To this day, he remains one of only two black actors to have won two Academy Awards, with his first coming in 1989 for Edward Zwick’s war drama,Glory, clinching the award for Best Supporting Actor, and then again in 2002, scooping the prize for Best Actor after appearing inTraining Day.
His Academy Award-winning performances aside, Washington has claimed a further two Golden Globes, one Screen Actors Guild Award, and one Tony Award. Moreover, theMan on Firestar has also been a recipient of 10 Academy Award nominations and 10 Golden Globe nominations, making him the seventh most nominated actor of all time, and the most nominated Black actor ever at the Academy Awards -an Academy record. Over the course of his illustrious career, Washington has been in almost constant receipt of critical acclaim, whether that be via awards or through film critics.
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Washington and the Box Office
Now into his mid-’60s, Washington has fashioned a stellar reputation for himself, making any film he creates or features in, an industry-wide event. With his films alone, bringing in over $4 billion worldwide, theMuch Ado About Nothingstar has reaped the rewards from his acting endeavors, helping theaters out financially along the way. As such, production companies have always gravitated towards him and are never too far from offering him roles.
