AHS Awards: Akira Kurosawa Film Award Tribute To The Film Legend Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington - Taylor Hill

Denzel Washington is the second recipient of the AHS Awards Akira Kurosawa Film Award. The highly prolific figure in the entertainment circuit is an actor, producer, and director. The legend of his career was born from his talent and commitment to the artistry of every project he had a hand in. Before worldwide fame and recognition, his career began during his time at Fordham University. There, he went through a path of self-discovery; moving through the sciences, politics, and the arts. Washington also credits the tipping point of transitioning into acting with intention to his time working at a YMCA camp. He would perform and assist with the theater portion of camp activities. At this time in his academic career, he had a 1.7 GPA and decided to pursue this passion. He completed his degree in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in the Theater of Arts. 

Once this spark was discovered Washington moved west to join the American Conservatory Theater. This conservatory is well renowned at offering mastery courses for actors and has many alumni within Hollywood including Elizabeth Banks, Danny Glover, Nicholas Cage, and Darren Criss to name a few. After his formal training was complete he found his way in a feature film, A Carbon Copy in 1981, and not too long after that he joined the main cast of the series, St. Elsewhere. The series assisted in catapulting Washington’s career as he credits Bruce Paltrow’s flexibility for Washington to explore all routes of his career during the six year run of St. Elsewhere (1982-1988). This time was a crucial point in Washington’s trajectory as he was able to land roles in three films one of which was the powerful and influential film, Cry Freedom in 1987. 

Washington was able to see his first nomination from the Academy Awards from his role in Cry Freedom. With the critics eyes on him he was able to secure an Oscar in 1989 as a supporting actor in the film Glory. With the backing of the Academy Awards twice over within the first decade of his career Washington had established his importance in media, quickly becoming a household name. It is also imperative to note Washington’s tonal diversity in his acting roles as he worked across genres. After his Oscar win it would have been easy for him to be type casted in war films but he broke away from that in 1990 in working with Spike Lee on Mo’Better Blues. He pushed the envelope by landing the lead in  a romantic comedy that explored a relationship between a Black American man and an Indian woman in 1991’s Mississippi Masala. 

Malcolm X (1992)  became one of the most significant films of not only Washington’s career but the film industry as a whole. The biopic was a phenomenal tale of the historical civil rights freedom activist, Malcolm X. Washington stepping into the role solidified his star power to rake in an audience as demonstrated by the financial success of the film. For this portrayal Washington would be his first leading role nomination at the Oscars. From then on Washington was consistently booked, making an unforgettable impact on performance art as a whole. He would continue on with films such as Philadelphia (1993), Crimson Tide (1995), Devil in a Blue Dress (1995), and He Got Game (1998) among a multitude of other projects during this time. 

Thankfully, Washington’s affinity for singing on to thrillers haven’t died up until this point. The sports-thriller film, Hurricane (1999), brought Washington onto the project as it wasn’t simply the genre that aligned with his career. The film was another biopic that focused on the wrongful prosecution of famed boxer, Rubin Carter. The heroine and soarful historical events portrayed in Washington’s methods would secure him another nomination from the academy and a win at the Golden Globes. With as many nominations and wins that Washington had at this point, he was known as a force to be reckoned with. And within two years he would add yet another Oscar to this collection for his demanding role in Training Day (2001). Modernly, the film is seen as a cult classic by the masses that follow the film circuit. It would be hard to forget as Washington would finally win his first Oscar for best actor, another breaking record as an African American actor. He was the first actor in nearly 40 years to receive the accolade from the Academy Awards. 

Washington’s power to break the glass ceiling allowed room for more actors of color to be seen with a serious lens for their performance to matter in these spaces. He held the most nominations at the Golden Globes for a person of color in the history of film, amassing 10 nominations thus far. Denzel Washington was beloved and highly praised in all circles of Hollywood due to the talent and prestige he carried with him. He would win 17 out of 26 NAACP Image awards that he was nominated for overall. 

With the dawn of the new age, the 2000s, Washington began to take on a new role in filmmaking. He made his directorial debut with Antwone Fisher (2003), based on the autobiographical novel written by the titular main character. Washington’s careful curation of his career trajectory was perfectly aligned for this moment. Numerous of the elevating points of his career centered around real world storytelling, a tale rooted in reality. So, the story of Antwone Fisher harmonizes well with Washington's own fight of resilience and overcoming adversity. In the years to come Washington directed 3 more films after his first,  The Great Debaters (2007), Fences (2016), and A Journal for Jordan (2021). Fences especially made a connection to audiences as it focused on an African American family in the 1950s facing racism and interpersonal issues within their familial structure. The film held integral cultural significance at the time due to the political climate of 2016, even though its source material was originally published in 1985 as a stage play. Washington performed in both versions of the story as Troy Maxson and would win a Tony for his time on stage in 2010. He was later nominated for best actor at the Oscars and Golden Globes after making it to the big screen. 

Denzel Washington has a daring and diverse portfolio that has afforded him the creative liberty and artist pursuit he commits to now in telling African American narratives. Although he has been a trailblazer and leader for the African American community, this is true to the waves he’s made for all people of color in the entertainment industry. Washington’s integrity for accurate historical themes that brought about revolutionary change in their respective communities was integral to the representation he provided. He was aware of the importance that his influence had for those that desired to follow in his footsteps. The opportunities that he was offered were never there before but they will always be there after for every person of color to view as a benchmark of their career. Without Denzel Washington there wouldn’t be as much access to the filmmaking world for screenwriters, directors, and actors that push for people of color to be heard every day.