Little Known Facts About Denzel Washington

Actors come and actors go, but a few talented men and women get a foot hold in Hollywood and withstand the test of time. Denzel Washington is one of those select few. With thirty movies, two Oscars, two Academy Awards, five Academy Award nominations, and a Golden Globe Award under his belt so far, he shows no signs of slowing his busy schedule down. Read this informative article and learn some little known facts about Denzel Washington you're sure to find fascinating!

Early Years
Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. was born December 28, 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York. His father, Denzel Sr. was a Pentecostal minister who also worked for the Water Department. His mother Lennis owned a beauty shop. Denzel has a sister, Lorice, and a brother, David.

When Denzel was six years old and attending Pennington Grimes Elementary School, he joined the local Boys & Girls Club of America. Today, he is a spokesman for the organization. A little known fact about Denzel Washington is that he wrote a book titled, A Hand to Guide Me, (Meredith Books, 2006). It's about his personal life and all of the mentors who helped shape him. Part of the book's proceeds benefits the children in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

When Denzel was fourteen, his parents' marriage was in a turmoil. Without his father around, the young man started hanging out on the streets and getting into trouble; he eventually became a heroin addict. His mother sent him and his sister to a boarding school so they could escape the family problems, and so Denzel could get his act together.

A little known fact about Denzel Washington is, he remembers seeing a spiritual being. He's quoted as saying, "When I was a child I thought I saw an angel. It had wings and kinda' looked like my sister. I opened the door so some light could come into the room, and it sort of faded away. My mother said it was probably my Guardian Angel."

College Years
With his Guardian Angel undoubtedly beside him, Denzel did straighten himself up. He enrolled at Fordham University in 1973. After he graduated with a Journalism degree in 1977, he went on to study at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco for a year.