Denzel Washington’s Top Roles

By Corey Atad. 26 Mar 2022 12:29 PM

Denzel Washington is undeniably one of Hollywood’s greatest living movie stars, having won two Best Actor in a Leading Role Academy Awards. The 67-year-old has been delivering iconic performances for over 40 years, and in honour of his 2022 Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar nomination for “The Tragedy of Macbeth”, ET Canada is looking back at 15 of his most memorable ones.

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'The Tragedy Of Macbeth'
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This year, Washington is up for Best Actor at the Oscars thanks to his powerful performance as Macbeth in Joel Coen's stylish Shakespeare adaptation.

Acting opposite Frances McDormand, Washington's fiery performance as the Scottish lord who will stop at nothing in his quest for power has earned rave reviews.
'Fences'
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After starring alongside Viola Davis onstage in a production of August Wilson's iconic play about a working class father struggling to produce for his family, Washington directed "Fences" for the big screen, earning himself a Best Actor nomination, as well as a nod for Best Picture at the Oscars.
'The Equalizer'
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Washington cracked the action franchise code with 2014's "The Equalizer", a big screen adaptation of the classic TV series, spawning a sequel in 2018.

In the series, Washington plays a former Marine who reluctantly gets back into the action to protect a teenage prostitute from the Russian mob.
'Flight'
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In another of Washington's Best Actor-nominated turns, he played a pilot struggling with addiction in the drama "Flight", from director Robert Zemeckis.

After successfully rolling and crash landing a plane, Washington's Who Whitaker faces scrutiny over his drug and alcohol use amid an investigation into the accident.
'American Gangster'
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In 2007, Washington teamed up with director Ridley Scott for the biographical drama "American Gangster", about Frank Lucas, a criminal who rises through the ranks to lead a major syndicate, all while being investigated by a narcotics officer played by Russell Crowe.
'Man On Fire'
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In one of his many collaborations with director Tony Scott, Washington starred as a former Marine and CIA officer who becomes a bodyguard for a young girl, played by Dakota Fanning.

When Fanning's character is kidnapped in Mexico, Washington goes on a vengeful rampage to get her back to safety.
'Training Day'
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Denzel Washington went a little bad and won himself an Oscar for Best Actor for his searing performance as corrupt cop Alonzo Harris in Antoine Fuqua's 2001 crime drama "Training Day".

The film takes place over one day, as Alonzo shows rookie cop Jake Hoyt, played by Ethan Hawke, the ropes.
'Remember The Titans'
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In one of Washington's most beloved roles, the actor played real life high school football coach Herman Boone, who takes over coaching duties for the first racially integrated team at T. C. Williams High School in 1971.

The inspiration drama was a huge box office success and is often named as one of the best football movies of all time.
'Devil In A Blue Dress'
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Washington went stylishly noir for his turn in Carl Franklin's 1995 thriller "Devil in a Blue Dress", co-starring Jennifer Beals, Don Cheadle and Tom Sizemore.

In the film, Washington stars as World War II veteran Ezekiel "Easy" Rawlins, who gets pulled into the search for a mysterious woman.
'Crimson Tide'
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In his first film with director Tony Scott, Washington showed off his incredible star power, holding his own against the iconic Gene Hackman in the submarine thriller "Crimson Tide".

After receiving orders to launch nuclear missiles, Washington challenges his commanding officer, played by Hackman, leading a mutiny to stop him from starting a Third World War.
'Much Ado About Nothing'
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Washington gave movie fans a real taste of his theatrical chops with his memorable role as Don Pedro in Kenneth Branagh's successful Shakespeare adaptation, "Much Ado About Nothing", co-starring Branagh, Michael Keaton, Keanu Reeves and Emma Thompson.
'Malcolm X'
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In what is often regarded as the finest performance of his career, Washington played the iconic and controversial Civil Rights leader Malcolm X in Spike Lee's epic biopic.

Playing Malcolm from a teenager, all the way to his murder at 39, Washington brought the famous figure to life for one of the most powerful films about America's sordid history and the fight against racism.
'Mo Better Blues'
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Washington first teamed up with acclaimed director Spike Lee for his 1990 film "Mo Better Blues", playing a fictional jazz trumpeter who makes a series of bad decisions that put his career and his relationships in jeopardy.
'Glory'
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Washington won his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his indelible role as Silas Trip, a soldier recruited to the Union side in the American Civil War, fighting in the first all-Black regimen in the Union Army.
'St. Elsewhere'
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Before making his mark on the big screen, Washington gained attention for his starring role as Dr. Philip Chandler in the medical drama "St. Elsewhere", which debuted on television in 1982.

Washington appeared in 118 episodes of the series, until 1988, acting alongside Norman Lloyd, David Morse, Alfre Woodard, Mark Harmon and many more in the ensemble cast.

Denzel Washington’s Top Roles

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