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Denzel Washington Then & Now: Photos From His Young Days to Today

By:
December 28, 2025 1:10PM EST
Denzel Washington Then & Now: Photos From His Young Days to Today
Getty Images for SiriusXM

Denzel Washington is one of Hollywood’s most beloved leading men. See his best photos of all time here.

Denzel Washington, born December 28, 1954, in Mount Vernon, New York, is one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation, known for his commanding presence on stage and screen. He began his career in theater and off-Broadway productions before landing his breakout role on the NBC medical drama St. Elsewhere (1982–1988). His rise to film stardom continued with his Academy Award–winning performance in Glory (1989), which earned him his first Oscar.

Washington went on to star in a string of iconic films, including Malcolm X (1992), The Pelican Brief (1993), Philadelphia (1993), The Hurricane (1999), Remember the Titans (2000), Training Day (2001), American Gangster(2007), Fences (2016) and The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021). Over the course of his career, he has earned two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, a Tony Award, and the Academy’s Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2022, he was also honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former President Joe Biden.

Most recently, Washington reunited with longtime collaborator Spike Lee for the crime thriller Highest 2 Lowest, which premiered in 2025 and marked a major late-career collaboration between the two. He is also set to star in the upcoming Netflix heist thriller Here Comes the Flood, continuing his run of high-profile projects well into his seventh decade in Hollywood.

Want to see more photos of Denzel? Scroll through our gallery here.

1 of 22

Denzel Washington in 1987

Denzel Washington in 1987
Parry/ANL/Shutterstock

Denzel Washington looked so dapper in this 1987 portrait. It was taken ahead of his time in the film Cry Freedom.

February 25, 2022, 1:16PM
2 of 22

‘The George McKenna Story’

‘The George McKenna Story’
Landsburg Co/Kobal/Shutterstock

Denzel Washington appears in 1986’s The George McKenna Story. The film was about an inner city school principal trying to make an impact on his students.

February 25, 2022, 1:16PM
3 of 22

‘For Queen And Country’

‘For Queen And Country’
ITV/Shutterstock

Denzel Washington stands in front of a graffiti covered wall in a scene from For Queen and Country. The film was about a retired British soldier trying to adjust to everyday life.

February 25, 2022, 1:16PM
4 of 22

Denzel Washington Wins a 1989 Oscar

Denzel Washington Wins a 1989 Oscar
Snap/Shutterstock

Denzel Washington pointed at the crowd while accepting his Oscar for Glory at the 1989 ceremony. He won for best supporting actor.

February 25, 2022, 1:16PM
5 of 22

Denzel Washington in 1998

Denzel Washington in 1998
Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock

Denzel Washington was super handsome at Sean Puffy Combs’s 1998 birthday party. He looked great in a black corduroy jacket.

February 25, 2022, 1:16PM
6 of 22

Denzel Washington Wins a Golden Globe

Denzel Washington Wins a Golden Globe
Kevork Djansezian/AP/Shutterstoc

Denzel Washington threw back his head and laughed after winning a Golden Globe during the 2000 ceremony. The award came for his role in The Hurricane.

February 25, 2022, 1:16PM
7 of 22

Denzel Washington in 2004

Denzel Washington in 2004
Camilla Morandi/Shutterstock

Denzel Washington was super handsome for late summer at the Venice Film Festival in Italy on Sep. 1, 2004. His striped shirt and jeans were totally breezy.

February 25, 2022, 1:16PM
8 of 22

Denzel Washington Promotes ‘American Gangster’

Denzel Washington Promotes ‘American Gangster’
Theo Kingma/Shutterstock

Denzel Washington looked thoughtful during a press conference for his film American Gangster on Oct. 19, 2007. He donned a black shirt and navy jacket.

February 25, 2022, 1:16PM
9 of 22

Denzel Washington at the Premiere of ‘The Taking of Pelham 123’

Denzel Washington at the Premiere of ‘The Taking of Pelham 123’
Phil Mccarten/UPI/Shutterstock

Cast member Denzel Washington was handsome as always during the June 4, 2009 premiere of The Taking of Pelham 123 in Los Angeles. The film was about the hijacking of a New York subway.

February 25, 2022, 1:16PM
10 of 22

Denzel Washington at the Premiere of ‘The Book of Eli’

Denzel Washington at the Premiere of ‘The Book of Eli’
Stewart Cook/Shutterstock

Denzel Washington suited up in dark stripes for the premiere of The Book of Eli on Jan. 11, 2010. The post-apocalyptic film was about a man tasked to care for a sacred book.

February 25, 2022, 1:16PM
11 of 22

Denzel Washington at the Premiere of ‘Flight’

Denzel Washington at the Premiere of ‘Flight’
Paul Treadway/UPI/Shutterstock

Denzel Washington was bundled up in a black coat for the Jan. 13, 2013 premiere of Flight in London, England. Underneath, he wore a grey tie and a checked shirt.

February 25, 2022, 1:16PM
12 of 22

Denzel Washington in 2015

Denzel Washington in 2015
Kevin Parry/Shutterstock

Denzel Washington smiled during An Evening with Denzel Washington at Beverly Hills’ Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts on Sep. 17, 2015. He wore a navy suit.

February 25, 2022, 1:16PM
13 of 22

Denzel Washington in 2017

Denzel Washington in 2017
Kristin Callahan/Ace/Shutterstoc

Denzel Washington flashed a peace sign while leaving Good Morning America’s New York studio on Jan. 12, 2017. He was in a tee shirt and dark jacket.

February 25, 2022, 1:16PM
14 of 22

Denzel Washington at the Premiere of ‘The Equalizer 2’

Denzel Washington at the Premiere of ‘The Equalizer 2’
Broadimage/Shutterstock

Denzel Washington smiled on the red carpet during the premiere of The Equalizer 2 in LA on July 17, 2018. The film was about an elusive vigilante.

February 25, 2022, 1:16PM
15 of 22

Denzel Washington in 2019

Denzel Washington in 2019
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutt

Denzel Washington was honored during the 47th AFI Life Achievement Award in June 2019. He was touched.

February 25, 2022, 1:16PM
16 of 22

Denzel Washington at the Premiere of ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’

Denzel Washington at the Premiere of ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’
John Salangsang/Shutterstock

Denzel Washington attended the LA premiere of The Tragedy of Macbeth on Dec. 16, 2021. His dark ensemble was classic.

February 25, 2022, 1:16PM
17 of 22

Denzel & Pauletta Washington in 2021

Denzel & Pauletta Washington in 2021
Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock

Pauletta Washington and Denzel Washington looked great during the opening night of the 2021 New York Film Festival. She wore red polka dots while he went classic in black and white.

February 25, 2022, 1:16PM
18 of 22

Denzel Washington in 2021

Denzel Washington in 2021
Eric Charbonneau/Shutterstock

Denzel Washington answered questions during a special screening and Q&A for his film The Tragedy of Macbeth. The Shakespeare adaptation also starred Frances McDormand, Bertie Carvel, Alex Hassell, Corey Hawkins, Harry Melling, Kathryn Hunter, and Brendan Gleeson.

February 25, 2022, 1:16PM
19 of 22

Denzel Washington Looks Cool in 2021

Denzel Washington Looks Cool in 2021
Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shut

Denzel Washington looked cool during the Los Angeles premiere of The Tragedy Of Macbeth on December 16, 2021. He wore a dark blue suit with sneakers.

February 25, 2022, 1:16PM
20 of 22

Denzel Washington in 2023

Denzel Washington in 2023
Stewart Cook/Shutterstock

Denzel Washington looked dapper in a black suit at the CinemaCon photocall for Sony Pictures THE EQUALIZER 3 on April 24, 2023 in Las Vegas.

December 28, 2023, 8:49AM
21 of 22

President Biden Delivers Remarks at Medal of Freedom Ceremony

President Biden Delivers Remarks at Medal of Freedom Ceremony
(Photo by Tom Brenner/Getty Images)

Denzel Washington greeting U.S. President Joe Biden after being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the East Room of the White House on January 4, 2025 in Washington, DC.

December 28, 2025, 1:11PM
22 of 22

SiriusXM Town Hall with Host Mike Muse

SiriusXM Town Hall with Host Mike Muse
(Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

Denzel Washington at a SiriusXM Town Hall with the cast of “Gladiator II” with host Mike Muse at SiriusXM Studios on November 21, 2024 in New York City. 

December 28, 2025, 1:10PM