Denzel Washington is one of those performers who does not require an introduction. His accolades and ground-breaking films speak for themselves.
But his recognition and fortune did not come easily. Washington was reared by a strict and hardworking mom. His dad was a hard worker as well; he was a preacher with two churches, and his mother ran a beauty shop.
Sadly, Washington’s parents split when he was 14 years old, leaving him and his brothers to be reared by their mom, Lennis.
Nevertheless, Washington stated that, of the 3 kids his parents had, he was the one who caused the most trouble for his mom.
Following his parents’ divorce, Washington revolted and became connected with the wrong people. He admitted that one of his buddies was killed, another was imprisoned for 28 years, another for 20, and another for 12 years.
When his mom recognized her kid was on a dangerous path, she relocated him from Oklahoma to a private school in upstate New York.
This is where Washington turned a fresh page in his life, although it was not always easy. The actor said that he would still get into enough problems to be sent home, yet his mom would send him back until he perfected his act.
He excelled in athletics and was a member of a band. This is when Washington realized his passion for the arts and performing. But he does not think he would have achieved these things without the help of his beloved mother.
Washington said he was “throwing rocks at the institution,” but he never hit anyone. The “Man on Fire” actor will always remember his mother’s comments, “Son, you never know who is praying for you,” since he considers it a miracle that he did not wind up in prison like his pals.
When pressed what advice he would offer his 15-year-old self, he frequently chuckles in astonishment and exclaims, “listen to your mother!” as he does not know whether he would have the nice life he presently has without her.
Washington’s mom died in 2021 at the age of 97. When the actor appeared on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” the presenter comforted him on his loss.
Denzel Washington Pays Tribute To His Late MotherIn part two of his interview with Stephen, Denzel Washington chokes up while talking about his mother who passed away in 2021. Denzel’s new film, “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” hits theaters on Christmas Day and streams on Apple TV+ beginning January 14th.
Posted by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday, 15 December 2021
He was grateful that he and his siblings were able to spend so much time with their mom while she was still living. While addressing a mom’s affection, Colbert recalled Washington in one of his remarks “A mother is a son’s first love.”
“A son, especially that first son, is a mother’s last true love,” Washington continued. This came after Colbert asked the actor how he honors his mom and the love she provided his kids.
The actor revealed that he noticed his wife Pauletta is exceedingly soft on their eldest kid, John David Washington. He can’t do anything wrong, Washington remarked.
Washington, on the other hand, couldn’t complete talking about a mother’s love without crying up. He also stated that he was astonished by his outpouring of emotion since he did not cry at his mother’s death. However, the actor advised the audience to embrace their loved ones while they were still alive.
Washington attributes his appreciation for family to his mom. He and his wife Pauletta have been married since 1983, and they have 4 kids: John, Katia, Malcolm, and Olivia. The actor is ecstatic about his strong-willed wife. He claims she is a Christian who has taught all of their kids the importance of prayer and the Bible.
Lots of prayers, the actor answered when questioned what maintains a marriage together. Pauletta is the Washington family’s anchor and the cause for their close-knit brood.
Nothing beats going home after work to watch his son’s games and spend time with his family, according to Washington.
Another aspect of Washington that he attributes to his mom is his modesty. He remembered a time in his profession when he was just starting out.
“The Equalizer” actor said he returned home to demonstrate his fame, but his mom put him straight back in his place, reminding him that he had no idea whose prayers had gotten him to where he was. Then he was ordered to clean the windows.
Even when he was older and more successful, Lennis still advised Washington to look deeper within himself in order to live a decent life, which is when the actor chose to stop drinking.
Washington thanks his mom for teaching him to be a good guy, and his acts demonstrate that he has a huge heart. The actor saw a homeless man in the middle of a busy street when he was traveling through West Hollywood.
Washington did not hesitate; he parked on the side of the road and risked his life to save the life of another. Despite the difficulty of maneuvering down a busy roadway full of traffic, the actor was able to safely remove the guy off the road.
But Washington did not stop there; he phoned the cops and waited with the man. The cops held him for no apparent cause, and the actor remained with him and assisted in giving the authorities a statement.
Washington stood at his side, consoling him during his interrogation. He even provided the man a lunch and a face mask to keep the coronavirus at bay.
