Celebrating Denzel Washinton
Denzel Washington turns 66 today and he is one of our favorite actors and one of the greatest actors of all time. Throughout his 30 year career he has played several iconic roles and is an Academy Award winner. We just wanted to celebrate a few of our favorite roles he's in and take a trip down his legendary career. Enjoy!
The first one that we have to recognize is Malcolm X. Such a powerful historical figure required an equally powerful actor for this portrayal. With Spike Lee at the helm, the over 3 hour biopic remains a favorite and is often seen as an Academy Award snub.
The Preacher's Wife is another great film. Alongside the iconic Whitney Houston, Courtney B. Vance, and Jenifer Lewis, this is a film that is a staple amongst the black canon of films.
He Got Game deals with the relationship between a father and talented basketball star son. Ray Allen was in his first movie and who better to start your acting career with than Denzel Washington. This is another of several films that Spike Lee and Denzel connected on, a partnership that we need to see more of.
Remember The Titans is a football player's dream. Denzel plays legendary high school coach Herman Boone who had to coach a team during high racial tensions of the 1970's. This film was inspirational, poigant, and still relevant to this day.
Glory was Denzel's first Academy Award in. This was a Civil War film released in 1989. With Morgan Freeman and Andre Braugher, Denzel delivered an award winning performance that let everyone that didn't know, know that he arrived.
John Q. was a well done film that showed how far a father would go when it came to his son. The film tackles several issues including the issue of health care disparities in America. He played John Q. alongside Kimberly Elise as his wife.
Denzel and Spike Lee connected again on Inside Man. This was a heist film that saw Denzel as a negotiator. This was a thriller that was worth the watch. From start to finish, Denzel along with co-stars Clive Owen and Jodie Foster delivered an intricate well paced plot.
American Gangster saw Denzel playing Frank Lucas, a drug dealer from the 1960's. An all star cast featuring Russel Crowe, Idris Elba, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Chiwetel Ejiofer amongst others, this was a great film. It's always fun to watch Denzel go to the dark side and be one of the bad guys.
Denzel played the debate coach at Wiley College in The Great Debaters. A movie with so many gems in both dialogue and overall performances, it is a unique period piece. Alongside Kimberley Elise again, Jurnee Smollet, and Nate Parker, the film is warm and reflective.
Playing a character with an interesting past, The Equalizer sees Denzel in an action movie different from how we're normally used to him. The fight scenes are amazing, the story is top notch, and he commands the screen in the way that we've grown accustomed to seeing.
Fences is a film adaptation of August's Wilsons play of the same name. Playing opposite the legendary Viola Davis, Denzel directs and produces an incredible film that deals with the black family and some of the dynamics that are present.