“Titles have nothing to do with me, that’s not who I am”: Denzel Washington Never Wanted to Call Himself The Leading Man of His Movie For One Reason
Denzel Washington is one of Hollywood’s classiest actors and a fantastic performer. He has millions of fans all around the world thanks to his lovely demeanor and excellent job in the entertainment industry. He is now one of Hollywood’s most brilliant actors and directors.
The 68-year-old is a two-time Oscar winner, known for his straight-shooting characters. The Equalizer star has been in the movie industry for around four decades now. In all this time, he has made quite a big name for himself. He has led numerous blockbuster films like Philadelphia, Safe House, Malcolm X, and Cry Freedom. Denzel Washington is labeled as the leading man in the industry, however, the actor doesn’t agree with the title.
Denzel Washington Don’t Want the Lable of ‘Leading Man’
Denzel Washington is a man of many talents. The actor is a two-time Academy Award winner who has starred in some of the most popular and critically acclaimed films. He has led many films to be successful at the box office and inspired many other celebrities in the industry. The 68-year-old is rightfully labeled as the leading man of Hollywood.
However, Washington does not necessarily agree with the title. The Malcolm X star, in an interview, revealed he wants to be just an actor in the industry. He said,
“These are all categories. Leading man is something that someone calls you when you do press junkets. I’m not a leading man, I’m an actor, and so you get the part and interpret it.”
Washington further said he doesn’t like being called a movie star. He added,
“Titles have nothing to do with me. That’s not who I am. It’s like the term ‘movie star’: What does that mean? It’s just a label they give you until they replace it with another one: ‘has-been.’ I don’t claim either.”
The Oscar-winning star never wanted the title of a leading man as he first considers himself a human being, than an actor. The Flight star said,
“I love my work, but acting is what I do; it’s not my identity. I love the way Julia Roberts put it: ‘I’m just an ordinary person who has an extraordinary job.”
Apart from being a successful actor, Denzel Washington is also a director who has directed three films, including Antwone Fisher and The Great Debaters.
Denzel Washington, the leading man in Hollywood
Denzel Washington is renowned for his adaptability and his capacity to play both fictional and real-life characters. The 68-year-old has been in the entertainment industry for four decades. He started his acting career in television in the early 1980s.
It wasn’t until 1989’s Glory that Washington received his first Oscar nomination. He was recognized for his depiction of Tripp, an escaped slave in the movie, and was given the Best Supporting Actor award.
The Training Day actor has since gone on to star in a wide range of films, including Malcolm X, The Hurricane, Remember the Titans, Training Day, and Fences. He is well-known for his work as a theatre actor and has garnered two Tony Awards for his roles in Fences and A Raisin in the Sun.
Denzel Washington is a successful businessman and filmmaker in addition to being an actor. He has directed three films and owns a production firm.
Source: Oprah
