Denzel Washington is one of the major African American actors of the late 20th century. As an American motion picture, theater, and television actor, Washington is widely respected for the intelligence he brings to his performances. In addition,
Born in Mount Vernon, New York, on December 28, 1954, Washington studied drama and journalism while attending Fordham University from 1973-1977. After appearing in numerous stage plays, including those written by William Shakespeare, Washington gained stardom playing a small but crucial role in the praised drama A Soldier's Story in 1984. From 1982 to 1988, he starred as Dr. Phillip Chandler in the television medical drama St Elsewhere. Washington's breakthrough role came in 1987. He starred as murdered South African political leader Stephen Biko in Cry Freedom. His role was nominated for an Oscar. In 1989, he took home the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Glory, where he played a soldier in an all-black Massachusetts regiment during the Civil War. For his role in Malcolm X, in 1992, Washington was nominated for Academy Award for Best Actor.

Other notable films include Glory (1989), The Mighty Quinn (1989), Mo’ Better Blues (1990), Ricochet (1991), Philadelphia (1993), Devil In A Blue Dress (1995), The Preacher’s Wife (1996), Courage Under Fire (1996), He Got Game (1998), The Hurricane (1999), Remember the Titans (2000), Training Day (2001), and The Antwone Fisher Story (2002).

Throughout his career, Washington refuses to accept the stereotypical roles commonly offered to black actors. In Training Day (2001), Washington played a corrupt Los Angeles police officer, a performance that earned him an Academy Award for best actor. Sidney Poitier is the only other African American actor with this honor.
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