denzel washington

Honoree

Two-time Academy Award®-winning actor Denzel Washington is a man constantly on the move. Never comfortable repeating himself or his successes, Washington is always in search of new challenges. From an embittered runaway slave in "Glory," to South African freedom fighter in "Cry Freedom;" Washington has amazed and entertained us with a rich array of characters distinctly his own.

A native of Mt. Vernon, New York, Washington had his career sights set on medicine when he attended Fordham University. During a stint as a summer camp counselor, Denzel was bitten by the acting bug and returned to Fordham that year seeking the tutelage of Robinson Stone, one of the school's leading professors. Upon graduation from Fordham, Washington was accepted into San Francisco's prestigious American Conservatory Theater.

Washington was 'discovered' by Hollywood when he was cast in the 1979 television film "Flesh and Blood". But it was Denzel's award-winning performance on stage in "A Soldier's Play" that captured the attention of the producers of the NBC television series, "St. Elsewhere," and he was soon as Dr. Phillip Chandler.

This actor, screenwriter, director and film producer has garnered much critical acclaim for his work in film since the 1990s, including for his portrayals of real-life figures, such as Steve Biko, Malcolm X, Rubin Carter, Melvin B. Tolson, Frank Lucas, and Herman Boone. Washington has been awarded three Golden Globe awards and two Academy Awards for his work.

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