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.

Outlines

00:00

🎤 Introduction to a Special Conversation

A.R. Bernard introduces Denzel Washington as a guest for a conversation, expressing high regard for Washington's depth of knowledge and character. Washington's participation is framed as a valuable and insightful exchange, touching upon his roles, especially in 'Malcolm X', and the dedication to his craft, highlighting a two-year preparation for the role. The dialogue sets the stage for an in-depth discussion on significant social issues and personal experiences related to faith and acting.

05:02

🌟 Reflecting on Malcolm X's Influence

The discussion delves into Denzel Washington's portrayal of Malcolm X, drawing parallels between Malcolm's transformative journey and broader historical movements. Washington shares insights into his preparation for the role and his approach to embodying the character, emphasizing internal transformation over external mimicry. The conversation also explores the broader implications of Malcolm X's life and legacy, touching upon themes of personal growth, societal change, and the enduring impact of Malcolm's journey on various audiences.

10:04

🎭 Personal Trials and Artistic Integrity

This segment centers on the personal challenges and experiences Washington faced during the filming of 'Malcolm X', particularly concerning his father's death. It delves into how these personal events paralleled the film's themes and influenced Washington's performance. The discussion also highlights the intersection of personal loss, artistic expression, and the quest for authenticity, revealing the deep emotional and spiritual reservoirs actors draw from in their work.

15:06

🙏 Spiritual Foundations and Family Influences

Denzel Washington discusses the profound impact of his father, a man of strong faith and character, on his own life and spiritual journey. He shares personal anecdotes about his religious experiences, the struggle to reconcile faith with personal desires, and the influential role of family in his life. The conversation reflects on the transformative power of faith and the importance of legacy, both spiritual and familial, in shaping one's identity and life path.

20:07

🌟 Prophetic Words and Acts of Service

The narrative shifts to the prophetic utterance made over Washington's life, his journey to fulfillment, and his significant contributions off-screen, particularly his charitable works and impact on education. Washington's humility and dedication to service are emphasized, showcasing how his faith and commitment to giving back have been integral to his life. This section illustrates the intersection of celebrity, spirituality, and philanthropy, emphasizing the deeper purpose and satisfaction derived from service and faith.

25:08

👨‍👦 Legacy and Familial Bonds

The conversation transitions to Washington's pride in his son, John David, and the legacy of values he hopes to pass on. Washington expresses admiration for his son's spiritual growth and professional choices, reflecting on the importance of role models and the transmission of values across generations. The segment underscores the significance of family, faith, and the personal accomplishments that resonate beyond professional success.

30:08

🙌 Closing Reflections on Faith and Community

The final segment encapsulates a broader reflection on the societal challenges faced in 2020, emphasizing the need for introspection, spiritual grounding, and communal solidarity. Washington and Bernard discuss the importance of faith, the impact of COVID-19 on societal dynamics, and the potential for personal and collective growth. The conversation concludes with a message of hope, resilience, and the enduring power of faith to guide and uplift individuals and communities amid adversity.

Keywords

💡Malcolm X

Malcolm X was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement, known for his advocacy for the rights of African Americans and his criticism of the racial injustice in the United States. In the video, Denzel Washington discusses his role in portraying Malcolm X in Spike Lee's film. This role is significant as it required deep understanding and embodiment of Malcolm X's life, from his transformation from Malcolm Little to a leading voice in the Nation of Islam, and his eventual philosophical evolution. Washington's preparation for the role highlights the depth of Malcolm X's impact on both the historical context of the 1950s and 60s and the ongoing struggle for racial equality.

💡Preparation

In the context of the video, 'Preparation' refers to the extensive and immersive process Denzel Washington underwent to portray Malcolm X accurately in the film. This preparation involved not just physical resemblance but also understanding the historical, emotional, and spiritual journey of Malcolm X. Washington's discussion about his preparation process illustrates the dedication required to bring a complex historical figure to life on screen, ensuring authenticity and respect for the character's legacy.

💡Spiritual journey

The term 'spiritual journey' in the video encapsulates the personal and transformative quest for deeper understanding, purpose, and connection with the divine that Denzel Washington describes. Both Malcolm X and Washington himself experienced significant spiritual awakenings that shaped their lives and work. Washington's recounting of his own spiritual journey, including being filled with the Holy Spirit, underscores the profound impact such experiences can have on an individual's life path and the choices they make.

💡Civil rights

The term 'civil rights' in the video refers to the struggle for social justice, equality, and the rights guaranteed by the Constitution to all citizens, particularly African Americans during the 1950s and 60s. The discussion about Malcolm X and the civil rights movement highlights the turbulent period of American history characterized by widespread activism against racial segregation and discrimination. The video touches on the differing approaches of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., illustrating the diverse strategies within the civil rights movement.

💡Role model

In the video, 'role model' refers to individuals who serve as examples to others, particularly in terms of behavior, ethics, and values. Denzel Washington is presented as a role model not only for his professional achievements as an actor but also for his personal integrity, spiritual journey, and commitment to helping others. His influence extends beyond his family, as seen in the pride he expresses for his son's spiritual growth and professional path, embodying the qualities of a positive role model.

💡Activism

Activism in the video is discussed in the context of the civil rights movement and the modern social justice movements, emphasizing active efforts to bring about social or political change. Washington's discussion about the activism of the 1960s and today highlights the continuous struggle for racial equality and justice, noting the different methods and challenges faced by activists in both eras. The term underscores the importance of engagement and action in addressing societal issues.

💡Faith

Faith in the video is a central theme, particularly in Denzel Washington's life. It refers to a deep trust and belief in religious principles, which guides personal actions and worldview. Washington discusses how his Christian faith has been a cornerstone in his life, influencing his choices, shaping his responses to challenges, and guiding his philanthropic efforts. The discussion on faith illustrates how spiritual beliefs can anchor individuals, providing a moral compass and a sense of purpose.

💡Legacy

Legacy in the video refers to the lasting impact and contributions one leaves behind, influencing future generations. Denzel Washington discusses the importance of leaving a meaningful legacy, which goes beyond material wealth to include spiritual, intellectual, and emotional contributions to one's family and community. The concept of legacy is tied to the idea of living a life that is not just successful in terms of career achievements but also significant in making a positive difference in the lives of others.

💡Transformation

Transformation in the video is a key concept relating to personal and spiritual growth that leads to significant changes in one's life and perspective. Both Malcolm X's life and Denzel Washington's roles and personal experiences are highlighted as examples of transformation. For Malcolm X, it was his journey from a troubled youth to a prominent civil rights leader, and for Washington, it includes his spiritual awakening and evolution as an actor and person. This concept underscores the potential for change and growth in every individual's life.

💡Social justice

Social justice in the video is an underlying theme that encompasses the fight for equality, rights, and fair treatment for all individuals, irrespective of race, gender, or class. The discussion touches on historical and contemporary social justice issues, reflecting on the civil rights movement led by figures like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., as well as modern movements like Black Lives Matter. Social justice is presented as an ongoing struggle, with each generation contributing to the pursuit of a more equitable society.

Highlights

A.R. Bernard introduces Denzel Washington as a guest, highlighting his multifaceted achievements and the excitement for the conversation.

Denzel Washington discusses his preparation for the role of Malcolm X, emphasizing the extensive two-year process and the internal focus required for the portrayal.

Washington reflects on the historical and personal significance of the Malcolm X role, focusing on the character's journey and personal transformation.

The conversation touches on the social and political relevance of the Malcolm X film, discussing its impact across different communities and the insights it provides into racial and social issues.

Washington shares his approach to roles, prioritizing the internal spirit and faith over external historical accuracy, highlighting his method of working from the inside out.

The dialogue explores the changes and continuities in social activism from the 1960s to the present, with Washington providing insights into the complexity of leadership and the multitude of voices in today's movements.

Washington recounts personal challenges during the filming of Malcolm X, including his father's death and the pressure and threats he faced, showcasing the personal stakes involved in his work.

The conversation delves into Washington's personal faith journey, revealing moments of profound spiritual experience and the ongoing process of living out his faith.

Washington discusses the impact of a prophetic word on his life, tracing the fulfillment of a prophecy about preaching to millions and reflecting on his influence and reach.

The interview highlights Washington's philanthropic efforts and personal commitment to giving back, emphasizing the importance of doing good and making a tangible impact on others' lives.

Washington reflects on the lessons learned from COVID-19, the importance of stillness, and the spiritual messages being conveyed through the pandemic's challenges.

The conversation touches on the importance of family and legacy, with Washington sharing insights into his marriage, parenting, and the values he hopes to pass on to his children.

Washington and Bernard discuss the evolving nature of leadership and activism, considering the role of the younger generation in shaping the future of social and political movements.

The dialogue concludes with reflections on faith, legacy, and the desire to be part of a greater community of believers, underscoring Washington's spiritual priorities and life goals.

Washington's narrative throughout the interview weaves together themes of faith, personal growth, social responsibility, and the enduring quest for meaning and purpose, offering a comprehensive insight into his life and worldview.

Transcripts

hello everyone a.r bernard here

excited about today i have an incredible

man father husband and teacher you'll be

surprised how much

knowledge this brother can drop he has

come a long way

and um i cannot tell you

what elaine how glad i am that he's

consented

to be a part of this conversation

it's denzel washington so he's going to

be joining me wow

there he is already that was quick that

was quick

how are you excellent excellent how are

you

i'm glad to hear that and let me say

thank you to malcolm i've got to give

malcolm a shout out

for jumping right here and helping us

out here malcolm

now you know the real boss is standing

over here as soon as i mention her name

she starts running now uh-oh

uh-oh i really want to thank you for

taking the time

to just have this conversation there's

so much going on

in our world in our country

and i couldn't help but reflect back on

your role in a very important film and

that is

the malcolm x movie that you did with

spike louis lee

you and i and oletta your wife and karen

my wife we had lunch and

we had talked a little about about what

you went through

in that particular movie but the movie

speaks to the times of the late 50s

60s and the social issue the 60s was

a decade of every revolution imaginable

going on

in america so

what what did you go through to prepare

for that role as malcolm x oh wow

um uh actually you know i i did a play

about malcolm mexico when the chickens

came home to roost

in 1981 and that's when i realized that

i could play the part first of all that

we got a lot of attention for it and

that

that that it was something i could do so

going into the film

i felt like i i could you know play the

part but in terms

of preparation we don't have that much

time to tell you everything that i went

through

because it's uh it was a year or two

year process

so it took you two years to prepare for

that and i'm thinking

that we can't cover all of that but uh i

mean

you had to look at the historical

context of of malcolm

from the time he was malcolm little to

the time that he came became malcolm x

the nation of islam uh what

what historically did you have to do to

prepare your thinking

uh about that context more importantly i

worked from the inside out i didn't

worry about the historical context

i didn't my focus wasn't on

the the things that you would see

me do or or what one might perceive

of of the film or my performance my

my concern was was the inside making

sure i had the right

spirit and uh and that that was

that i was going to be about god's

business not just

not just malcolm x's business so for you

any role that you play

is about representing

your faith your crystal centric

faith uh but here you are

portraying an individual who was

searching he was looking

and you know from what i understand

about his history

he didn't really land anywhere the

nation of islam was part of

his journey of faith

um so you got into the person the

inner workings of this man so that you

could portray him

you know in a very powerful way and you

did absolutely amazing i had

cannot tell you how many white pastors

and associates of mine

in a conversation about the film told me

how much it meant to them because it

helped them

understand and help them experience the

pain and help

put things in context i had the the

privilege of working with

uh professor c eric lincoln who wrote

the book

the definitive work on the nation of

islam uh called the black muslim

movement in america

and for so many people black white

any class any culture it spoke

volumes what what was it about the

characters journey malcolm's journey

that spoke to me or yes yeah well you

know it's

it's it's it's it's it's not a journey

we all go through but

it's representative of of a journey that

we we go through i mean

he was affected by his past what

happened to his father what happened to

his mother what it turned him into

and uh not to compare him to

paul but he had a a moment when he was

knocked

he had a supernatural if you will

spiritual moment where

he he uh was committed to to

to the honorable elijah muhammad and and

and and to that teaching

and you know his life and and death

stands as an example

uh for for a lot of us it spoke to me

specifically you know

when i did the play and and i didn't

really know that much about malcolm x to

be honest with you that

before doing a play in 1981 i hadn't

read

the autobiography of malcolm x in fact i

i actually

said who's this elijah guy he keeps

talking

about this i didn't even realize the

man's name was elijah okay

so i was coming from zero uh uh

which was a good thing i was an open

vessel yeah yeah

yeah i could see that because you come

with a blank slate

no no colored lens open to learn

and and to experience uh malcolm

ends up you know at in attention with

the nation

and you know i'm i'm i was part of the

old school of the nation before

farrakhan really

came into a position of of somewhat

power because the media is what

really blew minnesota up uh but prior to

that

he was not as prominent as the public

you know the media would like you uh

like you to think

uh so when you when you think about the

nation from your christian exp

experience your your christian faith uh

was it a religion

a religious experience or was it more so

an organization that reacted in protest

to the failure

of the white christian church in america

to address the socio-economic plight

of blacks in this country well my answer

to that

is sort of based on what i learned once

i

learned as in my youth i had no you know

martin luther king was in our house not

not malcolm x

he was a minister in the church of god

in christ so it wasn't even brought up

i didn't even know who he was or or or

or anything about that so

in my youth it wasn't it wasn't a

question and and

and really until i was introduced to the

autobiography of malcolm x

which which to this day is one of my

favorite books and

and you know i learned so much about

what he had gone through and

and uh it wasn't until that time until

there was a change

so in your house it was dr king's

in my neighborhood in benson cyrus and

bushwick brooklyn

we had those two icons we had dr king we

had malcolm

dr king for us was weak and didn't

understand the need to overthrow the

system

malcolm got it you know we we were too

young

to and too naive to appreciate the power

of

of the nine non-violent action that dr

king was talking about

and how he wanted to appeal to the

conscience of america

malcolm was saying take up arms let's

get on with this and grab

the circle of it and we we really had to

choose because we had we had two sides

the the the boys who went to church

because i didn't

you know they kind of were exposed to dr

king

and their parents said this is the man

this is the icon but with us

so it was those two icons predominantly

but today

it's it's it's different there's there's

a

seems to be a blend of of non-violent

protests and at the same time

the call for civil disobedience and

and and action and and protest

to you you look at what's happening

today what's the difference

between the 60s and now too many options

you know in the information age you have

as many options as you have leaders you

have as many leaders as you do opinions

you know so

who are the chief and who are the

indians so

i and that's by intent because you take

with black lives matters

uh i i interviewed d ray mckesson who

was one of the founders uh on my radio

show

and when eric garner that case

came out you know the choco situation

here in staten island

uh and there was an uproar when the

mayor of new york city

bill de blasio met with black lives

matter he was meeting with 15 different

organizations under that one

banner right so in the millennial mind

they don't want

a a a leader a messianic figure to

emerge like a malcolm or like a dr

king they want it to be spread out but

the reality

is there's no structure to that and

and people become confused as to what

the exact message

is you know yeah i agree i agree

so you mean what should we do about that

look you know what you're you're being

modest because you're a man

that you we've had conversations over

time and you're very insightful

you're sensitive to what's going on

you're very modest about it you just do

what you do

and i remember you gave me a hard time

because i want to talk about all the

things you do

and for you it's just doing the work and

and and letting other people which is

biblical let other people speak of that

but but you're you're sensitized to to

what's happening

and how you see it i don't want to pull

you into a political conversation uh

but i i'm sure that there's something

different about what's going on now

as opposed to what was going on back in

the 60s

what do you see is different

well i'm 65 not not 15.

you know that's different uh i i'm

i'm i'm looking at it from a different

perspective

uh some of the underlying issues

obviously

are still the same uh the platforms that

that young people

or people have now to express their

opinions are obviously

uh there's some so many more of them and

and there's so much more of an

opportunity

in in in a sense martin luther king's

the part of martin luther king's dream

has come true

you know he talked about young black

boys i forgot to quote exactly young

black people black and whites walking

here well that's actually the case

they all work hand in hand they are

walking down the streets by the

thousands tens of thousands if not

hundreds of thousands

they are not yet singing free at last we

had last night got the money and freed

last because they're not

but they are together uh so he was

and is a it is changing we are in the

middle of it where it's going to go

we will see you know but this is where

we are now

and i'm empowered and inspired by the uh

young people black white

male or female wow you know it it's

interesting i hear

more and more high-profile people who

are

in our age range saying the same thing

that the young people are driving

they're happy to be in in the back seat

and kind of

share some wisdom with them as they

supply the fervor and the passion

i want to refer back and not just go

ahead

you know because when when when it's all

said and done you know

what are the programs uh moving forward

uh

uh you know where how do we

activate what we've talked about and

expressed our feelings about and

complained about and protest about

you know what how do we where's the

development to quote someone

uh i know one of the six approaches yeah

yeah what

what were the six uh uh uh uh well you

got prayer you got advocacy

you got activism broken protests we've

got convening

and development oh convening oh okay i

left that one out and development

so when when it's all said and done what

what are we gonna do

you know how do we activate it what

what's the plan now referring back to

the film because of the time

it was in your life you personally were

facing

uh some issues at the time that you were

making the film right

because i believe your dad passed at the

time

uh yeah my father passed away during

that time

uh we uh experienced some of the things

i guess that uh

malcolm x and some of them had to go

through you know with tremendous amount

of death threats and you know was the

first time i had

security around the clock and all those

kind of things

why is that your father's a preacher

people some people may not know

your father was a a pastor correct right

right

why is that what now uh yeah well why

was that kind of thing happening with

him

why was what kind of thing happening

yeah with your father all right

at the time of his passing you were you

were making the film

right right was that a critical loss

what what was the kind of relationship

that you had with your dad

well he he was

he was he had a massive stroke so he

was alive but not living for

a long period of time during that time

so we would

uh uh and i don't have my dates exactly

right but we were

more or less keeping him alive uh

you know the the doctors were in fact i

i pulled the plug

i was asked you know to pull the plug on

my father so i did

wow wow that's you you you say that

but i don't think it was that easy

i haven't talked about it probably until

this point not never never

publicly it's not i mean that's just the

way it was

wow wow wow what what did he do for your

life i mean

what how did he inform who you are as a

person how did he shape who you are as a

person

my father was a a gentle man

a man of god was saved sanctified and

filled with the holy ghost

a a long-standing elder member of the

church and

he was all spirit i mean he was all

spirit he

speak in tongues at the drop of a hat

and love the saint and love my wife

pauletta

you know they would sing together and he

he

let him play the piano and he'd sing or

he played a piano and singing so he was

just a

a really gentle uh human being

you gave your life to christ at what age

well a couple of three times you know

this is it then i was like and this is

i'm laughing but

i was filled with the holy ghost and it

scared me

i said wait a minute i ain't to go this

deep you know i

want to party you know so in in fact in

in in bishop blake's church west angeles

church of god in christ

uh in 1981 or 82 robert townsend

took me yeah i went to church robert

townsend and

when it came time to come down to the

altar i said you know

this time i'm just going to go down

there and give it up

and see what happens and i went in the

prayer room and gave it up

and let go and experience something i've

never experienced in my life

and i i remember calling my mother

afterwards and asking about i said well

you know it felt like i was going up in

the air and my cheeks were filled and

she said oh no that's the devil you

purging

i said yeah yeah my feelings but it was

it was it was a it was a a supernatural

if not once in a lifetime experience

once in this lifetime experience

that i couldn't completely understand at

the time

it's amazing how god will give you an

indelible

mark in terms of an experience that no

matter

how much you may stray away from or

deviate from

you never forget that moment the power

of that moment you and i when we're at

lunch you were telling me

like it happened to you the day before

we went to lunch

right it was still so real and so

powerful and that kept you somewhat

grounded as you were exposed to other

things correct

in spite of myself it kept me grounded

in spite of myself i i mean i i

accepted it i definitely experienced it

but i wasn't ready to live it ah i

wasn't ready to live it

uh that was 90 i don't know how old i

was then but i wasn't ready to live it

then

and and i'm i'm sure i'm not the only

one who's

obviously not the only one who's going

through that kind of experience so right

so i had i had to go through all of that

and and

and you know i remember my mother saying

to me

she says you know denzel you you do a

lot of good

but it's time for you to do good the

right way

and she said and you know what i'm

talking about she said you know you

can't buy your way into heaven

i'm trying to but i have you know i'm a

giver i always have been helped build

a lot of things but i never forgot that

and i knew

you know on my journey and we all have

our individual journeys that

i wasn't where i needed to be yet but i

knew i was on the right track

and and even before

that day you know my own search

through books like sid arthur herman

hess

affected me tremendously in in my youth

and the bible did and

so you you you you have that

that moment that not from the horse

moment if you will

but it doesn't mean that the rest of

your life is gonna go the way it should

you know it's not like oh

i had this moment i'm filled with the

holy spirit and everything's gonna be

great yeah yeah you never figured out

boy

and you know and you know this because

i'm a witness the next day i'm ready to

save everybody

yeah you know i'm in charge of saving

people you know

so i i i'm guilty i'm guilty of a few

spiritual muggings back in my early days

myself so yeah i'm going to use that

spirit

because for me jesus well you know

church of god in christ and in those

those days for me i got saved in the mid

70s

you know jesus was coming back in two

weeks so right it was about getting

everybody saved because you want to go

to heaven with you

but then you realize no you've got a

life to live out

and you have to deal with this tension

between

the the lower self that you're familiar

with

and the higher self in the image of god

that the holy spirit is trying to

bring you in conformity too and that's

not an easy

task you you've had prophetic utterance

over your life

right you're the stage in your life

where you've done so much

you've lived so much incredibly

successful man as the world

judges success all right but there was a

prophetic word

that was spoken over you and you're kind

of

fulfilling that prophecy now tell us

about that word

uh uh ruth green was a a

woman who was known to have the gift of

prophecy she she lived in mount vernon

where i grew up

and she was uh uh she she came to my

mother did her hair

so she was in the beauty shop uh when i

was sitting in there having been kicked

out of school

and out of college and she said that she

said boy

she said first of all somebody give me a

piece of paper and she wrote down the

word prophecy she misspelled it and my

mother

wrote it down that she just said that

you know well you're gonna travel the

world and and preach to millions of

people

and i i had a 1.7 grade point average i

flunked out of college i'm like well i'm

not even in school i don't you know

do you see anything in your crystal ball

about me getting back

uh when i look at it now

i have traveled the world if if you

you know i don't even like to talk about

it but they're they're they're

they're there are speeches or things

i've done online and there are millions

of viewers that

so so in that regard what she said has

come to pass

and but it's really about this point

moving forward i'm going to tell it

because remember you and i had a

conversation

what was it 40 minutes or so we were on

the phone saturday morning a few weeks

ago

right and you express your reluctance to

to talk about all that you do and just

to live it to do it

but i told you that i was going to tell

it and people have no idea

um i'm telling all of you that are

joining us in this conversation you have

no idea

how this man has spent the last 30 years

of his life

regardless of his own personal journey

and ups and downs

but he has consistently followed

that part of his to give to do for those

who are less fortunate

uh i'm not going to get into i don't

embarrass him

embarrass him but he is the reason why

individuals have finished college food

has been distributed

on and on and on and i love that about

him it's about

doing the work in the book of james says

blessed are those who don't just hear

the word

but do the work well let me let me add

this to that

okay you i remember coming home

uh into my mother's beauty shop and i

had had a small amount of success

i said ma did you ever think you know

look at me and she said boy

you don't know how many people been

praying for you

you know so i have been prayed for

and supported by uh uh many people but

specifically by

my mother in those days by my wife now

and for a long time

you know so i've been uh

protected uh there's been a a

a hedge around me if you will and and

and a legion of uh

prayer prayers and and people who pray

for me

well i understand i appreciate that

because when i was in the hospital with

corporate 19

i appreciate you globally how many

people were praying for me being that

close to the edge so

i hear you and and you know what i i

would think that that's some of the

explanation besides your own choices

and your own perspective on life and

world view

but i think that's also some of what

protected you

from what happens in hollywood here you

are

your family your wife you're celebrating

years

of marriage and you know every marriage

goes through its changes

i mean now we married for 50 years in

2022

and we had our ups and downs and our

challenges but we remain

faithful to the covenant families still

intact

and and and here you are in spite of

you know what happens in hollywood so

many relationships

that that break down because of the

success and because of the lifestyles

that

that many live in well

she left the room but you i can thank

her you know pauletta

is largely responsible for that

and and you know we've

i don't know we've just outlasted

everybody else you know

i can't say how many years it's been

because she's only 29. so okay

i'll leave it right there yeah you got

to leave it right there but uh

speaking of which she's walking in the

room now how many years we've been

together for it

see now you're a wise man you asked her

instead of guessing the wrong

number you noticed you didn't hear

anything right

oh she said 43 we've been together 43

and she just said yes sir 43 years there

it is you can bank on that

i'm sure well listen your

your son john david seems to be uh

leaning in the direction of of his dad's

uh

career and i'm sure to have you as a

role model because we we all need models

and and the thing about it is fathers we

are imperfect

models and over time our children see

through our imperfections and see the

value

of what we did bring to the table i'm

sure

that that makes you proud that he's even

thinking of going into that

that direction yes well you you spoke

with him the other day

uh uh uh and he's a very very

talented and very spiritual young man

i'm i as i know pauletta we're we're

happy about his success

but we're as equally as happy about the

example he's setting for his brothers

and

and his sisters uh as a man of god and

and as obviously their sibling and just

being example for them and and being

unashamed of it

and uh so i'm i'm happy about that i

know paul little

letters as well well you say you're

happy but i remember

getting a call on a sunday right i was

in a meeting with the police

commissioner

in new york city and i get this call

it's you and i said okay

let me let me see how my brother's doing

make sure he's okay

and you were pumped because

he had experienced what you experienced

in terms of encountering the holy spirit

on a very deep level and i will tell you

you know that is an expression of what

you value most right a man is

accomplished

as you but his son being filled with the

holy spirit his son

experiencing that same power of god

that meant more to you than all the

other stuff

well you know there's an old saying you

never see a u-haul behind a hearse

amen you can't take it with you the

egyptians tried it all they got was

robbed

so i don't put the value in

monetary and and all of those things

you know that what happened

with one of our sons and that we pray

happens for all of our children

that's that's where it's at i mean i've

tried everything else

and then pay off a lot of a better word

you i won't even ask you the typical

questions that interviews

ask and really this is a conversation uh

i love and respect you um there have

been times

when we talk about what's most important

most valuable

that you've been in church and you'll

lean over and you'll share something

with me

and it blows me away because i'm saying

here's a man

that has accomplished so much

and loved by people around the world of

every class

ethnicity race culture doesn't matter

and yet he whispers in my ear

a very important accomplishment to him

that others would say well

that's no big deal but it again it puts

in light in your priorities what's

really important to you in life

and some people denzel have not gotten

there you know it's still the external

stuff

not the internal that is most important

to them

well that you know you still you go

through

what you think is going to make you

happy

in search of what actually will make you

happy yeah and and that's each person's

journey is is

is is different you know we've been

blessed with everything you can have

materially and that what i've learned

doesn't

doesn't do it you know we we we've been

blessed with health we've been blessed

with the

a loving family and beautiful the things

that we've been blessed with

are so simple and and and and profound

and

and enduring you know the the money and

the fame yeah i guess it's easier for me

to say because i

i've experienced it but uh

but but those are the important things

for me

as there's anything coveted 19 has done

is show us how much we can live without

yeah yeah well and you know maybe

i dare say a blessing in disguise i i

know we

have been forced to deal with each other

yeah you know sit in the house and

and like oh you know you know so so i

think it's a

in that regard i mean we're not making

light of obviously all the

the lives of the lost and families that

are

are hurt but uh god is sending us a

message

you know and it's it's a fascinating uh

one-two punch we've had

so far right this year it's still june

right the lord knows where we're headed

and only god knows where we're headed so

you we we're being forced to deal

with powers higher than ourselves

whether we like it

or not we better open our eyes and look

at the reality of what's going on

amen it's not a joke yeah the scripture

says be still and know that i'm god

and if anything covet has forced us to

be still

and listen in ways that we have not i

hope so

it makes a lot of us scramble more you

know yeah yeah

some some people be still and not just

run around in circles and run into the

wall and

you know exhaust themselves but uh we

have to deal with it it's dealing with

us

well i will tell you and i've been

privileged to

be invited into a pastoral space in your

life

i i appreciate that i i

i honor that and respect that space that

you've allowed me to enter in your life

and in your heart and your family

uh and out of that i say i'm proud of

you

and how you have navigated the man that

you

uh have become and the fact that you are

using

your platforms unapologetically to

identify

with your faith but to identify with

wisdom

and and and live a life like i said the

good man

who leads an inheritance to his

children's children leaving

not just material legacy but

spiritual inheritance intellectual

inheritance emotional

uh and motivational inheritance by

making better choices

and that means more than anything else

in the world

so thank you for who you are denzel and

joining me

uh for this half an hour of conversation

i hope we can

do it again in the future and i hope

you've been blessed by it i know

i'm just looking at all the comments

people

need models that they can look up to in

life

to say that we're not the exception to

the rule

but men like you and i are the rule

this is i think i just

want to be in that number

when the saints go marching in that's

what i want

it i i don't care where i am in that

number

in that line i didn't say i want to be

first last in the middle

i i i know i won't be alone but i

i want more than anything else in my

life

to be in that number amen my brother

that's now it's time for the benediction

i love you brother thank you so much for

joining in and we'll talk

again soon all right thank you all right

god bless