Denzel Washington’s films may have grossed $4.9billion (£3.6billion) worldwide, however he’s now revealed he doesn’t actually watch movies himself.
The American actor began his career in theatre, then rising to fame starring in the 80s medical drama St. Elsewhere.
His first major movie role was in 1984’s A Soldier’s Story, and in the years since he’s gone on to star in Glory, Training Day, Cry Freedom, American Gangster, Fences, The Tragedy of Macbeth and Gladiator II.
The 70-year-old also won two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Tony Award as well as nominations for a Grammy Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards.
Despite his incredible success on the big screen, the actor has admitted he doesn’t watch films at all.
In a recent interview for GQ with his Highest 2 Lowest director Spike Lee and co-star A$AP Rocky, Denzel made the surprising declaration.
‘I don’t watch movies, man. I really don’t. I’m just being honest with you! I don’t watch movies! I don’t go to the movies. I don’t watch movies. … I’m tired of movies. Yeah,’ he said.
The acclaimed actor admitted he thought it might be because he’s been involved in so many – now having over 40 film credits to his name.
When asked by Lee how many movies he’d been in, Denzel guessed: ‘About 50?!’
Earlier this month he also shared that he didn’t act ‘for Oscars’.
‘I don’t care about that kind of stuff,’ he said during an interview on Jake’s Takes.
‘I’ve been at this a long time, and there’s time when I won and shouldn’t have won and then didn’t win and should’ve won. Man gives the award. God gives the reward. People ask me, “Where do I keep it?” Well, next to the other one. I’m not bragging! Just telling you how I feel about it. On my last day, [Oscars] aren’t going to do me a bit of good.’
Denzel has won Oscars for his supporting role in 1989’s Glory and for best actor for 2001’s Training Day.
Although he was notably snubbed from last year’s awards following his turn as Macrinus in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, he wasn’t too fussed.
Insisting he was not bitter about it, Denzel said he had ‘been around too long’ to take what fans branded a ‘robbery’ to heart.
Explaining he was content with his career trajectory and personal life, he added: ‘I was sitting there smiling, going, “Look at you. On the day you didn’t get a nomination for an Oscar, you’re working on Othello on Broadway.” Are you kidding me?’
He then quipped sarcastically: ‘Awww. Oh, I’m so upset.’
The actor concluded by adding: ‘Listen, I’ve been around too long. I’m getting wiser, working on talking less and learning to understand more—and that’s exciting.’
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