Over a career spanning more than 40 years, Denzel Washington has amassed two Oscar wins and seven nominations for a wide range of dramatic and thriller roles. He earned acclaim for performances in films such as Training Day, Malcolm X, Glory, The Equalizer, The Bone Collector, and Philadelphia. Washington rarely participates in sequels or franchises, with The Equalizer as a rare exception. The career includes collaborations with notable directors, including Spike Lee on Highest 2 Lowest, a 2025 reimagining of Kurosawa's High and Low. The list highlights 20 essential performances that showcase Washington's versatility and sustained excellence.
Over 40 years, Denzel Washington has built one of the most impressive careers in Hollywood. With two Oscar wins and seven nominations, he's delivered performances in dramas like "Training Day" and "Malcolm X" and thrillers like "The Equalizer" and "The Bone Collector." Surprisingly, he's done all of this without playing the franchise game - outside of "The Equalizer," he's never made a sequel to any of his movies. Here are the 20 essential Denzel Washington roles.
In Washington's latest collaboration with director Spike Lee, the duo reimagine one of Akira Kurosawa's greatest movies, "High and Low." Washington plays a music mogul caught in the middle of a ransom and goes to extreme lengths to get everything back that's his. Playing a man pushed to the brink, Washington delivers an emotionally charged performance that is equally riveting and playful, and sometimes even comedic.
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