Denzel Washington is a respected American actor, screenwriter, producer, and director, with a net worth of $300 million. For many years, he has been one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood. In a typical year, Washington makes between $60 million and $80 million from his acting and producing work. His career started in theater after he trained at the American Conservatory
Theater and found success with off-Broadway shows. Washington became well-known on television for playing Dr. Phillip Chandler in NBC’s “St. Elsewhere,” which aired from 1982 to 1988.
This was a key moment in his career, as he was one of the few African-American actors in the series. He then moved on to film, where he received praise and many awards.
Washington’s films show his ability to play many different roles, earning him two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor for “Glory” (1989), where he played a rebellious former slave soldier, and Best Actor for his portrayal of a corrupt police officer in “Training Day” (2001). He has also been nominated for Oscars for his work in several films, such as “Cry Freedom” (1987), “Malcolm X” (1992), “The Hurricane” (1999), “Flight” (2012), “Fences” (2015), “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” (2017), and “The Tragedy of Macbeth” (2021).
5 Key Film Salary Highlights
Training Day (2001) – $12 million
This crime drama film changed the direction of Denzel Washington’s career, showing his ability to take on roles outside his usual style. The film received critical praise and many awards, and Washington earned $12 million for playing a morally complex character.
Out of Time (2003) – $20 million
Starring Eva Mendes and Sanaa Lathan, this thriller mixed mystery and romance. It received mostly positive reviews, and Washington earned $20 million for playing Mathias Lee-Whitlock.
Man on Fire (2004) – $20 million
In this intense thriller, Denzel played a former CIA agent who becomes a mercenary, alongside Dakota Fanning. He was tasked with protecting a young girl named Lupita, delivering an excellent performance, and earning $20 million for his work.
American Gangster (2007) – $40 million
Based on the life of crime boss Frank Lucas, “American Gangster” pushed Washington’s acting skills to new heights. The film became a major success, with both the movie and its soundtrack becoming popular. Washington was paid $40 million for his lead role.
The Little Things (2021) – $60 million
In the 2021 film “The Little Things,” Denzel Washington was initially paid $20 million, with the potential to earn more through back-end profits. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Warner Media chose to release the film for free on HBO MAX. To make up for the lost royalties, they gave Washington a one-time bonus of $40 million.
Denzel Washington (Credits: Getty Images)Early Life
Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. was born on December 28, 1954, in Mount Vernon, New York. His parents, Lennis, who owned a beauty salon, and Denzel Washington Sr., a Pentecostal minister and municipal worker, divorced when he was 14 years old.
After the separation, Denzel’s mother decided to send him to the Oakland Military Academy in New Windsor, New York. He later said this important decision helped change the course of his life. Before going to military school, Denzel and his friends were heading in a negative direction, with Washington sharing in an interview with “Parade” magazine that his friends ended up serving a total of about 40 years in prison.
Denzel continued his education at Fordham University in New York City, where he played college basketball. He took a semester off to think about his future and decide what to study. During this break, he worked at a YMCA camp, and while there, he performed in a talent show.
His performance was well received by both the campers and staff, and one person suggested he consider acting. When he returned to Fordham that fall, he started studying drama and graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama and journalism.
Early Career
Washington received a full scholarship to the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. However, after one year, he returned to New York to begin a professional acting career. Before that, he had been involved in several stage productions, but his first screen appearance came in 1977 with the TV movie “Wilma.” After that, he took on several small roles in both theater and film.
His big break came in 1982 when he landed a role in the popular medical drama “St. Elsewhere,” where he played Dr. Phillip Chandler for the six years the show aired.
Denzel Washington (Credits: Getty Images)Success
Denzel Washington’s role as South African anti-apartheid activist Stephen Biko in “Cry Freedom” (1987) earned him an Academy Award nomination, marking the start of his rise in Hollywood. His career gained further strength with his Academy Award-winning performance in “Glory” (1989), where he played a determined ex-slave soldier with powerful intensity that moved audiences.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Washington’s position as a top figure in Hollywood grew. He delivered memorable performances in many roles, showing his ability to portray complex characters with both depth and realism.
His role as Malcolm X in “Malcolm X” (1992) received both critical praise and commercial success, earning him another Academy Award nomination. This was followed by a series of box office hits, including “Philadelphia” (1993), “Remember the Titans” (2000), and “Training Day” (2001), which won him his second Oscar.
Awards and Honors
In 1988, Washington earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Cry Freedom,” a film about the anti-apartheid movement. The next year, he won the same award for his powerful performance in “Glory.”
In 1992, he was nominated for Best Actor for his role in “Malcolm X,” and in 1999, he received another nomination and won a Golden Globe for his performance in “The Hurricane.” In 2002, his career reached a key moment when he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in “Training Day,” making him the second African-American actor to win this award.
That year, he also starred in the successful Disney football drama “Remember the Titans,” which grossed over $100 million at the box office, earning him both a Black Reel Award and an NAACP Image Award for Best Actor.
In 2016, Denzel Washington was given the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award at the Golden Globe Awards. He is one of only eight actors to have received Academy Award nominations in five different decades (1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s). Despite not finishing graduate school, he has received three honorary doctorate degrees.
The first was awarded in 1991 by his alma mater, Fordham University, for his outstanding work in exploring various talents. In 2007, he received an honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Morehouse College, and in 2011, the University of Pennsylvania awarded him an honorary Doctor of Arts degree. In July 2022, it was announced that he would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Denzel Washington (Credits: Getty Images)Directing and Producing Career
In 2002, Washington made his debut as a director with the film “Antwone Fisher.” Since then, he has directed other projects like “The Great Debaters” (2007) and “Fences” (2016). He has also worked as a producer for various films, including “The Book of Eli” and “The Equalizer,” as well as several television series. Washington is currently preparing to produce the upcoming film “The Piano Lesson.”
Personal Life
Denzel’s first film role was in the television sports drama “Wilma.” This role not only marked an important moment in his career but also led to his meeting his future wife on set. He married Pauletta Pearson in 1983, and together they have four children: John David, Katia, and twins Olivia and Malcolm.
As a dedicated Christian, Washington has thought about becoming a preacher and has even considered leaving his acting career to work in the church. However, he chose to stay in Hollywood and continues to read the Bible every day.
In 2006, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia contacted a group of American artists and intellectuals, including Denzel Washington, Oliver Stone, and Michael Moore. They asked for help in convincing then-President George W. Bush to release 600 imprisoned rebels in exchange for 62 hostages being held in Colombia.
Denzel Washington (Credits: Getty Images)Philanthropy
Denzel Washington has used his fame and large earnings to support many charitable organizations, both with financial help and by getting personally involved. He has supported the Boys & Girls Club of America since 1993 and has been a member of its board since 1995. Some of his other charitable donations have gone to Nelson Mandela’s Children’s Fund, Fordham University, the Fisher House Foundation, and Wiley College.
Real Estate
In the late 1990s, Denzel Washington and his wife built a large mansion on a previously undeveloped lot in the exclusive Beverly Park community in the hills of Beverly Hills. The main house covers 30,000 square feet, and the guest house is 5,000 square feet.
Mark Wahlberg’s nearby property is similar in size. In April 2022, Mark put his mansion on the market for $87.5 million and sold it for $55 million in February 2023. A photo of Denzel’s mansion was taken when construction was finished in late 1999.