On December 28, 1954, Denzel Washington was born into the world.
Growing up in Mount Vernon, New York, he was instilled with the values of a devout Christian, owing much of this upbringing to his father, a Reverend and Pentecostal Minister, while his mother balanced her roles as a beautician and a strong supporter of her husband and the church.
In his formative years, Denzel Washington spent considerable time in the church, deeply respecting his father’s words to the congregation and aspiring to make him proud. However, as he matured, his faith, like that of many teenagers and young adults, began to waver. Doubts crept in, leading him to spend less time in church and more time with what he perceived as “negative” influences in his town.
At the age of fourteen, Washington’s parents divorced, exacerbating an already precarious situation. Troublesome behavior, fights, declining school performance—these became part of his life. In response, his mother took the decisive step of enrolling him in the Oakland Military Academy.
It was during his time at the academy that Washington found his faith in God rekindled. Upon returning home, a woman told him, “You are going to preach,” a statement he interpreted as a prophetic call. As a result, he enrolled at Fordham University, initially pursuing studies in medicine while also participating in the university’s basketball team.
However, medicine failed to ignite Washington’s passion, prompting him to take a semester off to search for his true calling. It was during this hiatus that he discovered acting, a pursuit that resonated deeply with him.
Upon his return to Fordham, he shifted his major to Arts in Journalism. He later ventured into Hollywood, starring in blockbuster movies such as “Carbon Copy,” “Crimson Tide,” “Glory,” and “The Hurricane.” His portrayal in “Training Day” secured his legacy as one of the finest actors of his generation, earning him the Best Actor Academy Award. Throughout his journey, Washington maintained a steadfast belief in God.
“There’s never been a time where God didn’t direct, protect, and correct me… There may have been times where I was less than faithful to Him, but He had faith in me.”
His strong faith extended to his marriage with Pauletta Pearson, which, like any other, faced its share of challenges. However, their commitment to each other endured.
“I think that you have to really work at it. You should not give up on each other,” he said. “It’s a commitment. It’s not all honeymoon. It doesn’t last forever.”
Despite his success, Denzel Washington continued to place God at the center of his life, recognizing that when you pray for rain, you must also deal with the mud. His unshakable faith and dedication to reading the Bible have played pivotal roles in his Hollywood success spanning decades.