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

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December 28, 2023 8:51AM EST
Denzel Washington
Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

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 an American actor on stage and screen, beloved for his dramatic demeanor and resounding charm. He started acting off-Broadway before his breakout role on the medical drama St. Elsewhere (1982 to 1988.) In 1989, he earned his first Oscar with the Civil War film Glory. 

Iconic roles in Malcom X (1992), The Pelican Brief (1993), Philadelphia (1993), The Hurricane (1999), Remember the Titans (2000), Training Day (2001), and American Gangster (2007) would follow. Some of his other honors include a Tony Award, three Golden Globe Awards, the Academy’s Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom bestowed to him by President Joe Biden in 2022.

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

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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
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‘The George McKenna Story’

‘The George McKenna Story’
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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
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‘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
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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 20

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 20

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
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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 20

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 20

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 20

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 20

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
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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 20

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 20

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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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