Actor Denzel Washington recently addressed a longtime misconception about the way his name is pronounced, clarifying the correct pronunciation during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel’s show. This revelation sheds light on how the pronunciation evolved and highlights the influence Washington’s career has had on the popularity of his name.
The Real Way to Say Denzel Washington’s Name
Denzel Washington explained that for many years people have been mispronouncing his name as “Den-ZELL.” However, he emphasized that the proper way to say it is “DEN-zel,” with a shorter, clipped vowel sound in the second syllable. This difference stems from a unique family reason involving his mother.
Washington shared that both he and his father, Denzel Hayes Washington Sr., share the same first name, which caused some confusion when his mother called for him. To distinguish between the two, she deliberately altered the pronunciation for him.
“I’m Denzel Jr. My father’s Denzel Hayes Washington Sr. I’m Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. My mother would say Denzel, and we’d both show up. So she said, ‘From now on, you’re Den-ZELL.’”
—Denzel Washington
He mentioned that this change was intended to create clear differentiation within the household and that the common mispronunciation is essentially a product of that adjustment. Jimmy Kimmel expressed admiration for the clever approach, calling it smart.
How the Name Gained Popularity in Sports
During the same interview, Kimmel pointed out the growing number of NFL players named Denzel, highlighting that this surge occurred after Washington’s prominence following his first Oscar win in 1990. He remarked on the rarity of the name among athletes prior to Washington’s ascendancy.
“Did you know that there are currently four players named Denzel in the NFL?”
—Jimmy Kimmel
“There weren’t that many before your first Oscar. There were zero in 1987.”
—Jimmy Kimmel
Washington joked about whether he should receive compensation for this influence on name trends in the sports world. Kimmel suggested that he might be entitled to a share of the sales of jerseys bearing the name.
“There ought to be some kind of compensation for this, should there not?”
—Denzel Washington
“You should get a small percentage of each jersey sale.”
—Jimmy Kimmel
The Origin of the Name in Washington’s Family
In addition to revealing the pronunciation story, Washington shared the origin of the name “Denzel” in his family. His father was named after the doctor who delivered him, Dr. Denzel. This familial connection adds an extra layer of meaning to the name in Washington’s personal history.
His father, Denzel Hayes Washington Sr., passed the name down, making the actor Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. This continuation of the name, combined with the mother’s effort to create distinct pronunciations, explains how the “Den-ZELL” variant became widespread publicly, even if it’s not the original family pronunciation.
Spike Lee Praises Washington’s Acting Prowess
Acclaimed director Spike Lee recently lauded Denzel Washington’s profound dedication to his craft. Lee described Washington as an actor who does not simply follow scripts or directions passively but instead brings his entire essence to each role. This ability contributes to Washington’s reputation as one of the greatest actors living today.
“One of the many things that makes Denzel a genius is he’s not just relying on the script or relying on the director, he’s bringing his full essence,”
—Spike Lee
“He brings his full being into every role that he does. And when you have someone like that — that’s why I say he’s the greatest living actor.”
—Spike Lee
This praise accompanies the recent release of Lee and Washington’s film titled HIGHEST 2 LOWEST on Apple TV+. The movie is a retelling of the 1963 Kurosawa police procedural drama HIGH AND LOW, focusing on a businessman caught in a troubled kidnapping incident.
Collaboration Between Spike Lee and Denzel Washington on HIGHEST 2 LOWEST
Spike Lee shared details about reconnecting with Washington for this new project after nearly two decades. Lee confessed he didn’t recognize the phone number when Washington called to offer him the script, but he knew immediately that he wanted to participate.
“He called me up — I didn’t even recognize his phone number,”
—Spike Lee
“We haven’t done anything since INSIDE MAN, which was 18, 19 years ago. He told me he was going to send me the script, and before I even hung up the phone, I knew I was doing it.”
—Spike Lee
Furthermore, Lee granted Washington the freedom to adapt the script to his liking during filming. The director compared Washington’s presence on set to that of Michael Jordan in basketball, stating that Washington has the authority to improvise and shape his role creatively.
“You have to know your personnel. So when you have Denzel on the set: Michael Jordan. He’s got the green light to do whatever he wants to do. If Denzel wants to get off-script, I’m not saying a… thing,”
—Spike Lee
The Enduring Legacy of a Hollywood Icon
Regardless of how the public pronounces his name, Denzel Washington’s talents and contributions to the screen remain indisputable. His efforts have inspired a new generation not only in entertainment but also in other fields like sports, as evidenced by the name’s rise in popularity.
Washington’s story about his name pronunciation and the familial decisions behind it offer a rare glimpse into the personal side of a Hollywood legend known worldwide. As his career continues with acclaimed projects like HIGHEST 2 LOWEST, his impact on culture and art shows no signs of waning.
