Denzel Washington reflects on his Oscars attitude: Acclaim isn't his pursuit, acting is his true passion.
Denzel Washington, the acclaimed actor and two-time Oscar winner, shared his candid thoughts on the Academy Awards during an August 11 interview on Jake Hamilton’s Jake’s Takes series. Reflecting on his extensive career, Washington emphasized that he does not prioritize winning Oscars, stating that the awards hold little personal significance for him despite his multiple nominations and wins.
Washington Reflects on His Journey with the Academy Awards
During his conversation with co-star Jeffrey Wright for their film Highest 2 Lowest, Washington remarked,
“I don’t do it for Oscars,”
adding,
“I really don’t care about that kind of stuff.”
He elaborated on the highs and lows of his Oscar history, saying,
“I’ve been at this a long time, and there’s times when I’ve won, shouldn’t have won, didn’t win, should have won,”
before noting,
“Man gives the award, God gives the award. I’m not that interested in Oscars. People say, ‘Well, where do you keep it?’ I say, ‘Next to the other one.’”
He closed his thoughts on the subject with,
“I’m not bragging, I’m just telling you how I feel about it. On my last day, it ain’t going to do me a bit of good.”
Overview of Washington’s Oscar Nominations and Awards
Denzel Washington has earned 10 Oscar nominations spanning more than three decades, beginning with his 1988 nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Cry Freedom. His two wins include Best Supporting Actor for Glory in 1990 and Best Actor for Training Day in 2002. His most recent nomination was for Best Actor in 2022 for The Tragedy of Macbeth.
Washington’s Sarcasm on Missing the Gladiator II Nomination
When The New York Times questioned Washington in February about not receiving a nomination for the filmGladiator II, he responded with dry humor. He said,
“Are you kidding me? Awww. Oh, I’m so upset,”
continuing,
“I’m happy for all that did, and I’m happy with what I’m doing.”
His Perspective on Hollywood and Acting
Beyond his views on awards, Washington has often challenged conventional labels associated with acting in Hollywood. In a March interview on CBS Sunday Morning, he remarked,
Image of: Denzel Washington
“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.”
Reflecting on his roots, he emphasized the foundational role theater played in his career. He stated,
“I’m a stage actor who does film; it’s not the other way around,”
explaining,
“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. Theater is an actor’s medium. The curtain goes up, nobody can help you.”
Upcoming Projects and Release Dates
The filmHighest 2 Lowest, featuring Washington and Wright, is scheduled to hit theaters on August 15 and will begin streaming on Apple TV+ starting September 5.
