Hollywood actor Denzel Washington, known for his illustrious work on both the stage and the screen, has been one of the most beloved movie stars in the industry. And his stance on everything that he’s achieved throughout his decades-long career continues to endear him to fans even more.
Rising to prominence in the 1980s, he has consistently been hailed as one of the finest actors of his era. Despite the numerous accolades and the success he has attained, Washington remains remarkably grounded when discussing his craft, as he expressed during a roundtable discussion with some of the most renowned names in the industry.
Denzel Washington Reflecting on His Humble Beginnings
During The Hollywood Reporter’s Director’s Roundtable, Denzel Washington reflected on his past and when the filmmakers were asked about their first and worst jobs before earning fame and stardom.
“I was a garbage man, like Troy,” the Oscar-winning actor said, noting his character in the 2017 film Fences, Troy Maxson, who also works as a garbage collector. Washington further shared that he also worked at a post office. While comparing both jobs he said that he preferred being a garbage collector.
He explained,
[As a] garbage man you get eight hours’ worth of work, but you can do it in three. So you can go home as soon as you finish. Post office, you get three hours of work and make it last eight. I did both, I liked being a garbage man better.
The actor emphasized that both jobs had their merits while acknowledging that they were not necessarily bad. “They weren’t bad jobs,” he said. His remarks also shed light on the contrasting work environment, as he further discussed his perspective on making movies, saying that it is drastically different from some real-life issues people face.
Denzel Washington’s Candid Critique of Hollywood and Filmmaking
When it comes to Hollywood and his status as a prominent movie star, Denzel Washington has always been candid about sharing his stance. He has shared that the “star” is just a title given by people. However, he has also expressed his disinterest in being entangled in such labels admitting that he is more interested in doing his job.
During the discussion at the director’s roundtable, the Training Day star also did not shy away from sharing his perspective on making movies and stardom. The actor dismissed the concept of making movies being compared to real-life struggles and rather described it as a privilege and luxury.
People say, “Oh the difficulty of making a movie.” I’m like… it’s just a movie… relax. I don’t play that precious nonsense — You know, your son got shot in the face, that’s difficult. Making a movie is a luxury, it’s a gift, it’s an opportunity and most importantly it’s a gift.
While he acknowledged the talent sharing the room with him during the conversation, and that his statement was not to downplay its significance, he also noted that making a film is not as monumental as it may seem. “It’s just a movie, it ain’t that big a deal,” he said.
His remarks challenge the film industry’s perspective on the difficulties of making movies. And the actor’s constant defiance of traditional industry norms has further endeared him to fans.
