On Nov. 16, 2015, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced that American actor and filmmaker Denzel Washington – known for films like “Glory” (1989), “Remember the Titans” (2000) and “Training Day” (2001) – will be honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2016 Golden Globe Awards, which will take place on Jan. 10, 2016. Here are some things you may not know about the two-time Academy Award-winning actor.
Denzel Washington was born on Dec. 28, 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York, U.S.A. The actor was named after his father Denzel Hayes Washington, who (in turn) was named after the doctor who delivered him, Dr. Denzel.
- He attended Fordham University where initially Washington studied biology, thinking of becoming a doctor, but later switched to political science. Still unsatisfied, the actor then dropped out of college for a semester to work as a creative arts director at a YMCA summer camp.
- It was at the summer camp that he discovered his interest in acting, and on his return to Fordham University decided to change his course again and finally graduated with a B.A. in Drama and Journalism in 1977.
- In his youth, Washington was a member of the Boys and Girls Club of America. Since 1993, he has been a national spokesperson for the organization, which provides after-school programs for young people.
- Washington, who is generally known for portraying serious roles, began his movie career with a comedy: “Carbon Copy” (1981).
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