Denzel Washington doesn't see himself as a "Hollywood actor"
The 70-year-old star has enjoyed a hugely successful career in the film business, but Denzel insists that he remains more closely connected to his roots in Mount Vernon than to Hollywood
26 March 2025
Denzel said on 'CBS Sunday Morning': "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."
Denzel also revealed that he sees himself as "a stage actor who does film".
The veteran star explained: "It's not the other way around. I did stage first. I learned how to act on stage, not on film.
"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."
Meanwhile, Denzel previously admitted that he doesn't watch any of his old films "from start to finish".
The acclaimed actor has starred in a host of big-budget movies during his career, including 'Gladiator II' and 'Training Day' - but Denzel doesn't enjoy seeing himself on the big screen.
He told The Times newspaper: "I watch it so I know what I'm talking about. But I haven't watched any film from my past from start to finish, not even 'Malcolm X'. All you see is what you did wrong. Also why would you do it anyway?"
Denzel starred in 'Malcolm X' in 1992, but he confessed to making "some real clunkers" in the subsequent years.
He said: "In life, you learn, earn and then you return - as in give back. So if your life is 90 years long, up until 30 you learn and from 30 to 60 you earn.
"So in that era I was earning. With a great agent, my career built into making money and so the earning kicked in and then life also kicked in, with bills, four kids and a house ... After 'Malcolm X' I made some real clunkers. Look them up - I won't say their names."
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