Denzel's In It For The Right Reasons

Denzel Washington, a two time Academy Award winning actor, is no stranger to success. Golden Globes, top entertainer, even sexiest man alive are all in his arsenal while still keeping a modest standpoint but it wasn’t always this nice for Washington. He has been forced to deal with racial issues all his life even after he established himself as a star. His talent has never been a question. The man’s abilities far exceed most people’s highest expectations. Although his trophy case is over flowing with awards now, Hollywood didn’t always acknowledge Washington’s talent nor did he ask them to. Washington’s award winning performances in movies such as Hurricane and Malcolm X only went unnoticed in Hollywood’s eyes. Washington didn’t think twice, just continued to act. It’s what makes him truly happy. It was the actors and produces around him that were appalled by the lack of recognition. Early in Denzel’s career, accomplished producer Spike Lee questions the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences whether or not they will “do the right thing” and honor the intensity and intelligence of Washington’s performance (qtd. in Whitaker 4). In addition, Julia Roberts has been quoted, “I cannot absorb living in a world where I have an Oscar for best actress and Denzel doesn’t have one for best actor”(qtd. in Samuels 2). “The fact that until very recently (2000), he has had to campaign for practically every role or develop his own projects because quality scripts just weren’t sent his way” Charles Whitaker notes is just another obstacle Washington has had to hurdle (3). He’s not going to get the roles Russell Crowe or Tom Hanks are going to get. He can’t be in the Insider or Gladiator, which is very limiting to an actor. But it’s also what makes his career so astonishing, because he has done so remarkably well with those limitations. Moreover, Washington has been one of the industry’s most highly recognized stars for years but his salary has only just begun to match those of his white peers (Samuels 3). Maybe you don't like him but you atleast have to respect him.

Samuels, Allison. "Will It Be Denzel's Day?" Newsweek 25 Feb. 2002: 1-7. ProQuest. Academic Search Elite. Edmon Low Library, Stillwater. 11 Mar. 2008.

Whitaker, Charles. "The Hurricane of Denzel Washington." Ebony Apr. 2000: 1-6. ProQuest. Academic Search Elite. Edmon Low Library, Stillwater. 08 Mar. 2008.