Renowned actor Denzel Washington has long been a dominant force in the film industry, with an impressive career spanning decades. However, despite his numerous accolades and box-office successes, the 70-year-old remains deeply connected to his hometown of Mount Vernon, New York, and distances himself from the label of a “Hollywood actor.”
In a recent interview on CBS Sunday Morning, Washington pushed back against the idea of being classified as a Hollywood star, stating, “What’s the definition of a Hollywood actor? Myself, I’m from Mount Vernon, so I’m a ‘Mount Vernon actor.’ I don’t know what ‘Hollywood’ means.” His words reflect his strong ties to his roots, even after starring in landmark films like Training Day, Malcolm X, and Philadelphia.
Beyond his cinematic achievements, Washington has always placed great importance on theatre, which he considers his artistic foundation. He emphasized this in the interview, explaining, “I’m a stage actor who does film. It’s not the other way around. I did stage first. I learned how to act on stage, not on film.”
He also pointed out the fundamental distinction between film and theatre, noting that movies are shaped largely by directors, whereas theatre belongs to the actors. “Movies are a filmmaker’s medium. You shoot it, and then you’re gone, and they cut together and add music and do all of that. Theatre is an actor’s medium. The curtain goes up, nobody can help you.”
Currently, Washington is commanding the stage in a Broadway production of Othello, portraying the iconic Shakespearean character. Sharing the stage with Jake Gyllenhaal, who takes on the role of Iago, the production has already proven to be a massive success. With earnings surpassing $2.8 million in just one week, it highlights both the timeless appeal of Shakespeare and the immense drawing power of its leading stars.
Despite his continued Hollywood presence, Washington remains committed to the craft of acting in its purest form—on the stage, where he first honed his skills.
