A conversation with Academy Award winning Actor Denzel Washington

Summary

In a profound conversation, A.R. Bernard hosts Denzel Washington, discussing Denzel's journey from his roles in impactful films like 'Malcolm X' to his personal life experiences. They delve into Denzel's preparation for his iconic role, his spiritual journey, and how his faith influences his work. The dialogue also touches on the changes in social activism from the 60s to the present, highlighting the role of young people today. Denzel reflects on the importance of internal fulfillment over material success, sharing personal anecdotes about his father's influence, his marriage, and his children's paths. The conversation is a blend of Denzel's reflections on his career, spirituality, and the essence of meaningful living.

Takeaways

• 😊 Denzel sees his faith as guiding his life and career, not just Malcolm X's
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Denzel credits his wife and family for supporting him through ups and downs
• 🎓 Denzel prepared extensively for 2 years to play Malcolm X, focusing on the spirituality
• 😔 Denzel faced death threats while playing Malcolm X and had security for the first time
• 🙏 Denzel's father was a gentle, spiritual man who greatly influenced Denzel's faith
• 🔥 Denzel had a life-changing spiritual experience at church in his 30s
• 🗣 A woman prophetically told Denzel as a troubled teen that he would preach to millions
• 🤝 Denzel sees today's youth leading recent social justice movements in new ways
• 💖 Denzel values his family and faith far more than fame and fortune
• ⛪ Denzel keeps his extensive charity private but hopes to be among God's saints

Q & A

What role did Denzel Washington discuss preparing for, and how long did the preparation take?

Denzel Washington discussed preparing for his role as Malcolm X in the film directed by Spike Lee. The preparation took him about one to two years.

How did Denzel Washington approach his role as Malcolm X?

Denzel Washington approached his role as Malcolm X by working from the inside out, focusing on capturing the spirit of Malcolm X rather than just the historical context and external actions.

What personal experience did Denzel share about his faith?

Denzel shared that he had a powerful spiritual experience when he was filled with the Holy Ghost at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ, which deeply affected him although he admitted he wasn't ready to fully live by it at the time.

What did Denzel Washington say about his father's influence on him?

Denzel Washington described his father as a gentle, spirit-filled man of God who was a significant influence in his life, highlighting his spiritual devotion and the loving relationship he had with Denzel's family.

What perspective did Denzel offer on the differences between the social movements of the 60s and now?

Denzel noted that unlike the 60s, the current era offers many more platforms and leaders, leading to a multitude of voices and opinions. He observed that while the fundamental issues may remain, the methods of expressing and organizing have diversified significantly.

How did Denzel Washington relate his preparation for the role of Malcolm X to his personal life events at the time?

During the preparation and filming of Malcolm X, Denzel experienced personal life events, including the death of his father and receiving death threats, which necessitated around-the-clock security, echoing some of the challenges Malcolm X faced.

What did Denzel Washington say about the impact of the autobiography of Malcolm X on him?

Denzel Washington mentioned that before performing in a play about Malcolm X in 1981, he wasn't very familiar with Malcolm X's story. Reading the autobiography significantly impacted him, making it one of his favorite books and deeply influencing his understanding of Malcolm X.

What did Denzel discuss regarding the role of young people in current social movements?

Denzel expressed admiration and inspiration from the involvement of young people of all backgrounds in current social movements, noting their collective actions represent a realization of part of Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream of unity and activism.

What insights did Denzel Washington provide on the importance of spiritual and family legacy over material success?

Denzel emphasized that material success and fame do not equate to happiness or fulfillment. He highlighted the importance of spiritual experiences, family, and contributing positively to others' lives as the most valuable aspects of his life.

How did Denzel Washington describe his reaction and feelings towards his son's spiritual experience?

Denzel expressed profound happiness and pride over his son experiencing a deep level of spiritual engagement, emphasizing that this spiritual milestone was more significant to him than any material or professional achievement.