It’s undeniable that Denzel Washington is one of the greatest actors of all time; in his career, he’s portrayed a wide range of characters and made it seem effortless. So, let’s look at Washington’s best-known Roles and unforgettable performances. Washington first captured the public’s attention in the 1981 comedy Carbon Copy; he would next be cast on St. Elsewhere, and his fame would only grow from there.
Glory (1989)
Washington’s portrayal of Private Trip in Glory brought his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Directed by Edward Zwick (Legends of the Fall), the film told the story of the real-life 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the first all-Black regiment to fight in the Civil War. Washington’s character, a runaway slave who joined the Union Army to fight the Confederacy, symbolized the righteous anger felt by many African Americans who were formerly enslaved. In one of the most memorable and heart-wrenching scenes in Glory, Washington’s character stands defiant while being whipped and in obvious agony, tears running down his cheeks. The emotional and physically brutal scene resonated with audiences and critics alike, showing Washington as an actor of rare depth and understanding.
Malcolm X (1992)
Spike Lee’s vision of the civil rights leader’s life, arguably one of Denzel Washington’s most acclaimed roles, his portrayal of Malcolm X remains one of the greatest performances of all time. The film chronicled the rise and eventual assassination of the influential civil rights leader. Washington captured the activist’s transformation from a troubled young man to a revered leader. Washington’s method acting was reportedly so intensive that he immersed himself in the role, even adopting Malcolm X’s speech patterns and mannerisms after the cameras had stopped rolling. Once again, he was nominated for an Academy Award, this time for Best Actor, and though he didn’t win, his performance is considered by many to be one of the greatest in film history.
Training Day (2001)
The intense performance that Washington put forth in Training Day would finally garner him the Academy Award for Best Actor. The movie, co-starring Ethan Hawke, was full of suspense and memorable lines. The film centers on a single day in which Washington’s character, while training a rookie cop, takes him into a dark world of corruption. Washington was the personification of menacing in the role, with a Jekyll and Hyde persona that balanced charisma and danger in such a way that even while portraying a repugnant, morally bankrupt character, audiences couldn’t take their eyes off him. The film’s climactic confrontation in the streets was so tense that Washington’s famous line, “King Kong ain’t got ____ on me!” was improvised on set, which was perhaps the best ad-lib since Orson Welles’s famous Cuckoo Clock ad-lib in The Third Man.
Remember the Titans (2000)
In Remember the Titans, Washington put forth an understated performance that fit perfectly with the tone of the film. In a true-life story, Washington played Coach Herman Boone, a coach tasked with integrating a high school football team in 1971 Virginia. The character used a tough-love method to lead his team and was determined to unite them despite their divergent backgrounds. Washington inspired his team in the film and subsequent generations of moviegoers. As was his technique, Washington thoroughly studied Boone and even kept his distance from his younger co-stars to reflect the coach’s stoic demeanor. Per his usual level of excellence, Washington’s performance was filled with subtle moments of wisdom and strength.
So, as you can see from action films to dramas, Denzel Washington has earned his place standing shoulder to shoulder with other great actors and actresses whose performances transcend time.
