Listed among the richest African American Actors in the World, Denzel Washington’s net worth is $140 million dollars. Although he’s well known for his acting skills, Denzel is also a film director and producer. Washington was born on December 28, 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York. He is the second of three children born to to Lennis and Denzel Washington. His father was a pastor and his mother owned and operated a beauty parlor. His parents divorced when he was 14 years old.
Denzel received his early education at Pennington Grimes Elementary School. From there he attended the Oakland Military Academy in New Windsor, New York and later, the Mainland High School in Florida.Denzel attended the Fordham University where he earned a B.A in journalism. Despite his intent on becoming a journalist, he was swayed into acting after participating in several drama productions while at Fordham. His new found love for acting influenced him to attend the American Conservatory Theatre following his graduation from University. He however left the institution one year later to pursue an acting career.
His first brush with fame was in a 1977 film biography of Wilma Rudolph. However, it wasn’t until 1981 before he made his big screen debut in the comedy, Carbon Copy. In 1983, he landed a role as a doctor in NBC’s hit series, St. Elsewhere. His next role was in the movie, Glory in which he portrayed a runaway slave. This earned him his very first Oscar. Following his success in this movie, he went on to star in several other acclaimed movies including Mo’ Better Blues, Malcolm X, Pelican Brief, Crimson Tide, Much Ado About Nothing, He Got Game, The Hurricane, The Taking of Pelham, Training Day, Book of Eli John Q, Inside Man and Unstoppable. He also played a stellar co-star in The Preacher’s Wife, Antwone Fisher, American Gangster and Safe house.
As he grew more prolific in his acting career, Washington began to hone his directing and producing skills. In 2002, he made his debut in film directing with the hit drama, Antwone Fisher. Following his success with Antwone Fisher, he went on to produce and direct several other movies including, The Great Debaters, The Book of Eli, Safe House and The Equalizer.
Washington has received several accolades for his success in Film. For his role in Glory, he won an Oscar and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his roles in The Hurricane and Training Day. He also won an Oscar for his role in Training Day. Denzel is the first African American actor to win two academy awards and the third African American to win an Oscar. He has also received several nominations for prestigious awards for his acting. Denzel is slated to return to his roots in acting, with a lead role in a 2014 Theater production of a Raisin in the Sun.
Denzel has been married to Pauletta Washington since 1983. The union produced four children: John David, Katia and twins Malcolm and Olivia. The couple renewed their vows in 1995 while on vacation in South Africa. The ceremony was officiated by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
