See Denzel Washington’s Life in Photos (Including His Sexiest Man Alive Cover!)

Denzel Washington’s New York Beginnings

Washington was born on Dec. 28, 1964, in Mount Vernon, N.Y. His father, Denzel Sr., was a Pentecostal minister, and his mother, Lennis, owned a beauty salon.

He is the middle child of three siblings: older sister Lorice and younger brother David. He graduated from Fordham University and furthered his studies in acting at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.

Denzel Washington at the Boys & Girls Club

As a young child, Washington spent a lot of time at his local Boys & Girls Club “with mentors who cared and gave me the confidence I needed to set higher goals than I might have,” he wrote in an Essence essay in 2020.

The actor has credited the Boys & Girls Club for helping him become the man he is today. Washington has been the national spokesperson for the organization for over 30 years.

Denzel Washington and Pauletta Pearson

The star met his wife, Pauletta Pearson, on the set of his first screen credit, the 1977 TV movie Wilma. The two tied the knot on June 25, 1983, and share four children: son John David, daughter Katia, and twins Olivia and Malcolm.

Both John David and Malcolm have followed in their parents’ footsteps, with John David appearing uncredited in his father’s earlier films like Malcolm X and Devil in a Blue Dress before his breakthrough in the 2018 Lee-directed film BlacKkKlansman. Malcom directed and co-wrote the 2024 film adaptation of August Wilson‘s The Piano Lesson, starring his brother, John David, Samuel L. Jackson and Danielle Deadwyler.

The feature-length movie is dedicated to his mom, Pauletta, who told PEOPLE in September 2024 that Malcolm’s tribute was “such a great honor.”

“I mean, I broke down when I saw it,” she said.

Denzel Washington on St. Elsewhere

Washington’s breakout role was playing Dr. Philip Chandler on the NBC medical dramedy St. Elsewhere from 1982 to 1988. The cast also included William Daniels (the future Mr. Feeny on Boy Meets World), Ed Begley Jr. and Howie Mandel.

Denzel Washington’s First Oscar

Washington was joined by wife Pauletta and mom Lennis at the 1990 Governor’s Ball in Los Angeles, the same year the actor won his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor as Private Trip in the 1989 film Glory.

Denzel Washington as Malcolm X

Lee tapped Washington to play the late revolutionary Malcolm X in the 1992 biopic, who was assassinated on Feb. 21, 1965. His performance earned him Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor and best performance by an actor. The film marked the second collaboration between Lee and Washington after 1990’s Mo’ Better Blues.

Denzel Washington in Much Ado About Nothing

In 1993, the Oscar winner joined Kenneth Branagh, Keanu Reeves, Emma Thompson and Robert Sean Leonard in the romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing.

Denzel Washington in The Pelican Brief

Washington played Gray Grantham opposite Julia Roberts as Darby Shaw in 1993’s The Pelican Brief, adapted from the John Grisham novel.

Denzel Washington in Philadelphia

Tom Hanks and Washington took on starring roles in the 1994 film Philadelphia, which has been credited as one of the first mainstream films to acknowledge the AIDS crisis. Hanks’ role as Philadelphia-based attorney Andrew Beckett earned him a Best Actor win, with Washington’s performance as prejudiced personal injury lawyer Joe Miller receiving praise.

Denzel Washington is Sexiest Man Alive

Based on his extraordinary talent, intelligence, good looks and ability to inspire, Washington was named PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive in 1996.

Denzel Washington in The Preacher’s Wife

During his reign as Sexiest Man Alive, Washington’s character Dudley crushed over Whitney Houston‘s character Julia Biggs in 1996’s The Preacher’s Wife.

The actor shared his experience filming with the late “I Will Always Love You” singer, who died at the age of 48 in February 2012.

“I felt like I always wanted to protect her,” he said at the American Black Film Festival in June 2024. “She wanted to be so tough, but she really wasn’t. That’s all.”

Denzel Washington’s Walk of Fame Star

With his kids supporting him, Washington cemented his place in Hollywood history in 1998 at his hand and footprint ceremony in Los Angeles.

Denzel Washington in The Hurricane

Washington’s portrayal of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter in 1999’s The Hurricane earned him a Golden Globe for best performance by an actor and an NAACP Image Award for outstanding actor in a motion picture.

Denzel Washington in Remember the Titans

Sept. 29, 2025, marks the 25th anniversary of the premiere of the 2000 sports drama Remember the Titans. Washington helped share the true story of Coach Herman Boone, who was hired by T.C. Williams High School to coach the school’s first racially integrated football season.

Washington and former NFL quarterback Tom Brady reenacted an iconic scene from the movie on Brady’s Let’s Go podcast in November 2023, with Brady telling the decorated actor, “You played an amazing role in people’s lives.”

“And you make it look so easy, but I’m sure it’s not,” Brady added.

Denzel Washington Makes Oscars History

Halle Berry and Washington took home the top prizes at the 2002 Academy Awards. Berry won Best Actress for her portrayal of Leticia Musgrove in Monster’s Ball, making her the first Black woman to ever win in the category.

Washington won Best Actor for playing Det. Alonzo Harris in Training Day, making him the second Black actor to win in the category. The first was Sidney Poitier, who won for Lilies of the Field in 1963.

After extending his record as the most-nominated Black actor in Academy Awards history with his 2022 nod for The Tragedy of Macbeth, Washington said he’s “not that interested” in the prestigious honor.

“I’ve been at this a long time, and there’s times when I’ve won, shouldn’t have won, didn’t win, should have won,” Washington told journalist Jake Hamilton on Jake’s Takes in August 2025. “Man gives the award, God gives the award. I’m not that interested in Oscars. People say, ‘Well, where do you keep it?’ I say, ‘Next to the other one.’ ”

Washington added, “I’m not bragging. I’m just telling you how I feel about it. On my last day, it ain’t going to do me a bit of good.”

Denzel Washington as a First-Time Director

Washington made his directorial debut and starred in the 2002 film Antwone Fisher, alongside actor Derek Luke. The two posed for a photo while promoting the film during a visit to MTV’s TRL.

The star would go on to direct 2007’s The Great Debaters, a 2016 episode of Grey Anatomy, 2016’s Fences and 2021’s A Journal for Jordan, starring Michael B. Jordan

Denzel Washington’s American Cinematheque Award

Jamie Foxx and former costar Hanks stood by as Washington received the American Cinematheque Award in 2002 for his extraordinary artistry and contributions to the arts.

Denzel Washington with Muhammad Ali

Washington compared punches with one of the greatest athletes of all time, Muhammad Ali, at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America President’s Dinner in 2004, where the actor was honored for his efforts in N.Y.C.

Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning

Dakota Fanning — who was 9 years old at the time — and costar Washington hit the red carpet for the L.A. premiere of Man on Fire in 2004.

Denzel Washington on Broadway

Jessica Hecht looked to Washington, who played Marcus Brutus in the hit Broadway revival, on the opening night production of Julius Caesar in 2005.

Denzel Washington with Jay-Z

Back in 2006, the A-lister sat with future Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jay-Z and BET’s 106 & Park hosts Rocsi Diaz and Terrence J.

Later, in 2014, the actor appeared on The Queen Latifah Show, where he recounted the time the Grammy-winning artist invited him to the studio to play a song for him.

“Yea D, I’m gonna play this for you D,” Washington said while delivering a spot-on impression of Jay-Z.

Inspired by Ridley Scott‘s 2007 film American Gangster and Washington’s performance as Frank Lucas, the “Empire State of Mind” rapper created his eponymous concept album the same year the movie premiered.

Denzel Washington in Fences

Viola Davis and Washington both won Tony Awards for their work in Kenny Leon’s revival of Fences in 2010. The two went on to reprise their roles in the 2016 film, which was directed and produced by Washington and earned four Oscar nominations, including Best Motion Picture of the Year and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Washington earned a nom for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role as Troy Maxson, and Davis brought home the Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Rose Maxson.

Denzel Washington in Othello

After first playing Othello at age 22 while studying at Fordham College, Washington returned to the titular role in a 2025 Broadway production opposite Jake Gyllenhaal as Iago.

“I know a lot less now,” Washington said in a March 2025 interview on CBS News’ Sunday Morning. “I thought I knew everything then. I didn’t really like the part, ’cause I wasn’t wise enough to understand it.”

The revival ran from March through June 2025, marking Washington’s sixth Broadway appearance after Checkmates (1988), Julius Caesar (2005), Fences (2010), A Raisin in the Sun (2014) and The Iceman Cometh (2018).

Denzel Washington’s Honorary Palm d’Or

At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Washington received a surprise honorary Palme d’Or — the festival’s highest honor — in recognition of his decades-spanning career.

“To be here once again in Cannes, you know, we’re a very privileged group in this room that we get to make movies and wear tuxedos and nice clothes and dress up and get paid for it as well,” Washington told the audience. “You know, we’re just blessed beyond measure, I’m blessed beyond measure, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all. Thank you.”

Denzel Washington in Highest 2 Lowest

In 2025, Washington reunited with Lee for their fifth creative collaboration, Highest 2 Lowest, which Lee suggested could be their last film together after working on Mo’ Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game (1998) and Inside Man.

“It’s been a blessing to have this body of work of us doing films that the people love, so it’s a blessing, again. I think this is it — five,” Lee told reporters during a press conference at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

The film features Washington as a music mogul caught in a ransom plot that puts him in a tricky moral dilemma.