When Denzel Washington enters the room, you sit up straight. You pay attention. After all, you are in the presence of greatness. But even legends can be re-imagined.
Washington is entering a new career chapter, but he’s far from slowing down. As the two-time Oscar winner gears up for his 70th birthday on Dec. 28, he’s stepping into uncharted territory, taking on roles that push his boundaries, nurturing new talent and reflecting on a career that has redefined Hollywood. Not only is Washington’s riveting performance in Ridley Scott’s epic “Gladiator II” at the heart of this chapter, but so is a new personal decision to live a healthy lifestyle.
“It’s been a journey,” Washington says to Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast. “I’ve been on a two-year program to get healthier. At the Academy Awards, I looked at myself and thought, ‘I’ve got to change.’ I worked with Doug Romero, a trainer. It’s been my birthday gift to myself — getting to a place where I feel okay looking in the mirror.” Listen below!
Returning to the screen in Paramount Pictures’ “Gladiator II,” Washington commands attention in a rare villainous role. In the movie, he plays the mysterious Macrinus, a former slave who plots to control Rome. Collaborating with Scott, whom he worked with on the 2007 crime drama “American Gangster,” Washington says he was excited to be on set with the director again. “You’re in it, not outside of it thinking, ‘This is fun,’” he says. “You don’t know what take the director will use, but with Ridley, you trust him to make the soup.”
Washington embraced the challenge of playing a complex character. Still, he also found excitement in the new up-and-coming generation of actors, such as star Paul Mescal and Fred Hechinger. “Ridley talks about casting being 80% of the job,” Washington says. “He brought together young, theater-trained actors like Fred and Paul. Their energy is infectious. I see my job as recognizing young talent and passing the baton.”
Washington’s passion for storytelling extends beyond acting. His directorial efforts have earned him critical acclaim, with films like “Fences” (2016), for which he became the first Black helmer to direct himself to an acting nomination. “Directing was never on my radar — it was Todd Black’s idea,” Washington says about his producing partner, with whom he worked with on son Malcolm Washington’s directorial debut drama “The Piano Lesson.” “But now, I want to learn more. Watching my son Malcolm go through the process has given me a better understanding.”
It is interesting to see Denzel Washington enter “dad mode” during a conversation. Two days prior to our podcast interview, I moderated a Q&A about the film at the TCL Chinese Theatre in L.A. When the discussion concluded, Denzel and I were walking out through one of the side doors. I raved about the debut of “The Piano Lesson,” and how excited I am for his son to make more movies.
At that moment, Denzel reached into his pocket, pulled out his cell phone, and said, “You have to see this.”
He showed me a trailer for “The Piano Lesson” that Malcolm cut himself, beaming with pride while saying, “Look at that!” and “Isn’t that great?” He was lost in fatherly pride, even as security stood by and a mob of fans stood only about 50 feet away, waiting (and screaming) for a chance to get an up-close glimpse of the acclaimed star.
He does it again when we talk about Malcolm’s talents. A graduate of the prestigious AFI Conservatory, where he was valedictorian, Malcolm directed the adaptation of August Wilson’s play. “It’s one of the hardest plays to adapt,” Washington says. “But Malcolm delivered. Watching his growth as a filmmaker makes me incredibly proud.”
Washington’s slate of upcoming films will give him more opportunity to deliver more incredible performances, such as “Gladiator II.” He’s reuniting with longtime collaborator Spike Lee on A24’s “High and Low Man,” a reimagining of the Kurosawa classic. “Spike is cooking up something special,” Washington says. “I’ll be watching the cut soon. He’s a visionary, and I trust him completely.”
And about that potential collaboration with Ryan Coogler on a still-unconfirmed “Black Panther 3” movie? While he remains tight-lipped about the project, he shares his admiration for Coogler. “Ryan’s a genius,” Washington says. “I called him and apologized for talking about the movie, and right there sitting with him was his beautiful wife. He’s still Ryan, humble and full of ideas. Whatever he writes, I’ll read.”
In a career full of “firsts” and “most,” when Washington looks back, he doesn’t dwell on the obstacles he faced as a young Black actor in Hollywood, but still acknowledges them. “When I started, there weren’t great roles for us [Black people]. You were the guy who said, ‘We shouldn’t go in there,’ and then the hero saves the day while you’re waving from the sidelines.”
The most decorated Black actor in Oscar history — with nine acting nominations and two wins — Washington’s legacy is cemented. But he remains focused on the future. “I’m not retiring tomorrow, but at some point, it’ll be my last one,” he says. “Until then, I’m working with incredible directors and telling stories that matter.”
As Washington gears up to celebrate his milestone birthday, he’s embracing simplicity, health, and family at the forefront of his mind. “I’ve been training, eating better, and focusing on feeling good,” he says. “And watching my family grow — it’s the greatest reward. I’ve been downsizing,” he shared. “I cleaned out 40 years’ worth of stuff from my closet — 98% of it I didn’t even wear anymore. It’s liberating.”
Also on this episode, Emmy winner Jharrel Jerome, the star of William Goldenberg’s “Unstoppable.” In addition, the Awards Circuit Roundtable discusses the Golden Globe nominations, and what the potential new frontrunners for the Oscars could be.
Variety’s “Awards Circuit” podcast, hosted by Clayton Davis, Jazz Tangcay, Emily Longeretta, Jenelle Riley and Michael Schneider, who also produces, is your one-stop source for lively conversations about the best in film and television. Each episode, “Awards Circuit” features interviews with top film and TV talent and creatives, discussions and debates about awards races and industry headlines, and much more. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere you download podcasts.
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