Denzel Washington - The Best Ever!!!

"A film is just like a muffin. You make it...One person might say, 'Oh, I don't like it.' One might say it's the best muffin ever made. One might say it's an awful muffin. It's hard for me to say. It's for me to make the muffin" - Denzel Washington Well put, Denzel! Actually, I am not sure why I chose this quote, but I think it shows that Denzel likes muffins, and he aspires to be a muffin-baker. Back to the facts. Denzel Washington was born in Mt. Vernon, NY, on December 28th, 1954; his father, Denzel, Sr., was a minister, and his mom was a beautician. Denzel's theatrical beginnings were often attributed to the early exposure to his father's dramatic sermons, as well as his paid eavesdropping sessions (what he called work at 11 years old) at his mother's beauty parlors. Unfortunately, Denzel Jr. and his siblings were part of a less than perfect family, and at age 14, he and his older sister shipped via UPS to a boarding school while their parents sorted out divorce issues. Fordham University (NYC) came after high school, where Washington studied the journalistic art of "storytelling." During the Fordham years he received starring roles in several drama productions, and he was so incredible that many faculty members and alumni steeeel talk about it. Upon graduating with a B.A. in 1977 (the year two great movie critics were born, Bob and Peas), Denzel Washington went west to San Francisco, and enrolled in the American Conservatory Theater. Even a Thespian scholarship couldn't keep him at the ACT, however, as he only stayed there for one year. Denzel worked in several TV productions soon after he left school, and the most prominent out of the bunch was NBC's Wilma, where he played the role of Wilma Rudolph's (an Olympian) boyfriend. The talented Washington advanced rather quickly, and after Wilma, he debuted in a big screen setting with Carbon Copy in 1981. In that production he played George Segal's illegitimate teenage son. At the same time, Denzel Washington also maintained his presence on the tubes with the gigantic role of Dr. Phillip Chandler in St. Elsewhere, a hospital drama. The next significant step in junior's career came when his portrayal of Tripp, the runaway slave, received critical acclaim. The film was none other than Glory (1989), a historical drama of "epic" proportions. Denzel earned his first big screen award here, an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. More importantly, the performance propelled him to the "A-list", a position he has maintained with at least 2 movies a year, many of which were well-received by the general public as well as movie experts like Louise and Bob (some might argue that he has since elevated to the A+ list). In 1992, Denzel starred in the lead role of Malcolm X in, um�Malcolm X. And to this day, Peas still sees double images of Malcolm X and Denzel Washington (and he swears that Malcolm X is the secret identity of Denzel)! For his performance in portraying the influential African-American leader, he received nomination for Best Actor by the Academy. When asked about Denzel, most people have only amazing things to say. Zwick, the director of Glory, tells of a special "inner process" possessed by Denzel. Tom Hanks describes Washington's tireless habit of "testing the parameters of the scene (question by L&B staff: is that like walking the grid with Angelina Jolie?);" others also stress Denzel's unique combination of "intellectual weight, spiritual gravity, and [of course] a powerful sexual and romantic presence. And according to movie critics Peas and Carrots (perhaps the greatest compliment of them all), "when he focuses on you with that cerebral, analytical stare, even melted butter on a muffin can't help but give him 127% respect." Denzel is married to singer-actress Pauletta Pearson (both were cast members of Wilma), and have four children together. They currently live in Los Angeles, where they own the former residence of William Holden. Rumor has it that Denzel have not been exactly squeaky clean in the area of infidelity, but overall, given the low standards of today's society (and the ultra-low standards of Hollywood society), Mr. Washington can be considered a family guy, good husband and good father. The Washington household spends much more time together than your average Hollywood family, by most accounts; their hangouts include the church, vacations at papa Washington's shooting locations, and of course, their mansion home. Denzel also spends time at the Boys and Girls Clubs of America (an organization he participated as a child), The Gathering Place (for HIV-positive people), and the Nelson Mandela Children's fund. Other notable films on Denzel Washington's resume include Philadelphia, Much Ado About Nothing, Crimson Tide, and He Got Game. With the recent success of The Bone Collector and The Hurricane, It does not look like Denzel will slow down his career or lower his well-established standards anytime soon. We love you Denzel! Some Fimography: Remember the Titans (2000) The Bone Collector (1999) The Hurricane (1999) Fallen (1998) He Got Game (1998) The Siege (1998) Under Fire (1996) Preacher's Wife (1996) Crimson Tide (1995) Virtuosity (1995) Much Ado About Nothing (1993) The Pelican Brief (1993) Philadelphia (1993) Malcolm X (1992) Glory (1989)