The actor Denzel Washington has described himself as “a God-fearing man” during an awards ceremony speech.
Already a two-time Academy award winner – for his roles in Training Day and Glory – Washington added to his accolades in recent weeks with a Screen Actors Guild award for his performance in Fences, signalling a potential third Oscar. And it was during his acceptance of the prize that the actor said that once, “I didn’t have faith” but now “I’m a God fearing man”.
To those who know Washington closely through working with him, his Christian faith comes as no surprise as the actor has never been reticent about sharing the importance of faith in his life.
In previous interviews he has detailed how, after wild teenage years that threatened to derail his life, he returned to the faith of his father, Denzel Sr, who served as a pastor for 60 years. This, he has explained, came when he realised, “there’s never been a time when God didn’t direct, protect and correct me”.
Today, Washington remains an active member of his local church and reads his Bible every morning. Of the major on-screen roles that he has excelled in, he says he makes acting choices based on a desire to communicate positive messages or his own personal faith.
And, while he set aside thoughts of becoming a pastor in favour of acting, Washington believes he has honoured his father’s efforts to raise him in faith.
“My father, my earthly father…he’s smiling in Heaven, seeing his son doing the best I can do today, by the grace of God,” he said.