Denzel Was Born to Act

Denzel Washington, known for his serious and profound roles in well known movies, was born on a bitter, gloomy morning on December 28, 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York. Born with the same name as his Pentecostal Minister father, he was the middle child of three children. His mother was a beautician and so he was always a well-groomed child. The Boys and Girls Club helped shaped his life as a young boy starting at the age of six. This is what his parents credit for keeping him away from drugs, alcohol, and crime.

When Washington was 14, his parents decide to go there separate ways and get a divorce. This time was very hard for him, and he began to get caught up with gangs on the streets and fighting. Because she wanted a future for her child,  Washington's benevolent mother decided to send him to boarding school.

With the good lower education that he received at boarding school, Washington attended Fordham University to study journalism. Towards the end of his college years at Fordham University, he became very interested in film and acting. After graduation, he decided to enroll at the American Conservatory Theater where he only spent a year. Washington was ready to go out and look for acting positions on his own.

Since this whirlwind beginning, Denzel Washington has become one of the world’s leading actors and has made a huge impact on film. He currently is married to Pauletta Washington and has four children. His family has always had a huge impact on his life and in 2006, he was reported saying "There's life, and there's making a living," he says. 'Family is life,'" proving his commitment to his wife and children. The Washington family to this day is seen as one of the strongest families in Hollywood.