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Born
December 28, 1954 · Mount Vernon, New York, USA

Birth name
Denzel Hayes Washington Jr.

Spouse
Pauletta Washington(June 25, 1983 – present) (4 children)

QUOTES:

(when asked which does he call home, Los Angeles or New York City) I root for the Knicks. I root for the Yankees.
(when asked what prompted him to go to Hollywood) The only way I’m going to L.A. is with a job.

I remain thankful for the gifts that I’ve been given and I try to use them in a good way, in a positive way.
Acting is just a way of making a living, the family is life.

For the movie Glory (1989), before going out to shoot the whipping scene, I’m backstage in a room, and I’m thinking, how am I gonna do this scene? All I did – you know people ask me, how did you prepare? – I say, I prayed. And I got on my knees and they were waiting for me, and I prayed. And then I prayed to all the spirits. I said, “Look fellas, ladies” and I’m talking about those who have been, and I said, “Look I don’t know, I’m just rolling with you all. Just whatever happens, I’m going. And I said are you with me? Come on!” I’m serious! And I went out there and what hit me was, I’m in charge. Never put my head down. This isn’t the first time this has happened to me, the character – and ,in fact, I had the guy build all the scars to put on my back – and I went out there with an attitude that I’m going to take this and not fold. But it hurt. And the tear was actually real. You know, you just allow it and you’re thankful for it. It’s not technical. It’s not science. It’s spirit.