Denzel Washington is an American actor, screenwriter, producer, and director who has a net worth of $300 million. Denzel Washington has been one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood for several decades running. In a typical acting and producing year, Denzel easily earns $60-$80 million.
Denzel Washington started in theater after training at the American Conservatory Theater, making significant strides with performances off-Broadway. His major break in television came with his role as Dr. Phillip Chandler in NBC’s “St. Elsewhere” from 1982 to 1988, a groundbreaking role as one of the few African-American actors in the series. He transitioned into film, where he received critical acclaim and numerous awards.
Washington’s film career includes a diverse range of roles, earning him two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor for “Glory” (1989) as a defiant ex-slave soldier and Best Actor for his portrayal of a corrupt cop in “Training Day” (2001). His Oscar-nominated performances span across various films like “Cry Freedom” (1987), “Malcolm X” (1992), “The Hurricane” (1999), “Flight” (2012), “Fences” (2015), “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” (2017), and “The Tragedy of Macbeth” (2021).
Washington established himself as a leading man in films like “Mo’ Better Blues” (1990), “Philadelphia” (1993), “Inside Man” (2006), and the “The Equalizer” trilogy (2014–2023). He also marked his presence on Broadway, debuting in “Checkmates” (1988) and winning a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for the revival of “Fences” (2010), a play he later directed and starred in for its film adaptation.
Denzel Washington’s career has been recognized with the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award (2016), the AFI Life Achievement Award (2019), and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2022). The New York Times named him the greatest actor of the 21st century in 2020.
Denzel Washington’s five highest-grossing films by worldwide box office are:
Below is a list of 10 salaries earned by Denzel from some of his most notable films. From these ten films alone, Denzel earned over $200 million ($203 million to be specific).
#10: Virtuosity (1995) – $7.5 million
A science fiction film starring Washington and Russell Crowe, Denzel plays a former cop who was imprisoned for killing a man who killed his family. The film received mixed to negative reviews, although some maintain each of the actors pulled off award-winning performances. Either way, Denzel received $7.5 million for his part in the film.
#9: Courage Under Fire (1996) – $10 million
Playing an army colonel who accidentally killed his friend in battle, Courage Under Fire is a movie that delves into the complicated deaths associated with warfare. Also starring Meg Ryan, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Matt Damon, among many others, the film received mostly positive reviews and Denzel received $10 million for his role in the movie.
#8: The Hurricane (1999) – $10 million
A biographical film depicting the story of boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter and how he fared during a 20-year prison sentence over a triple homicide, this movie received rave reviews as well as a number of awards and accolades. One of the defining roles of his career as a whole, Washington received $10 million for his role in the film.
#7: Fallen (1998) – $12 million
A supernatural thriller, Fallen is a film enjoyed by fans but was ripped apart by critics. Complaining about the plot holes and jumpiness of the script, critics were fairly displeased across the board, but this didn’t stop Denzel from receiving $12 million for starring in the film.
#6: The Seige (1998) – $12 million
A film about the FBI attempting to solve a terrorist conspiracy, Washington plays “Special Agent Anthony Hubbard” in this thriller film. Also starring the likes of Bruce Willis and Annette Bening, the film received mixed reviews, which were mostly due to issues with the subject of the plot. Nevertheless, Washington delivered an excellent performance and received $12 million for his work in the film.
#5: Training Day (2001) – $12 million
A crime drama film that literally changed the roles Denzel has taken on ever since, Training Day proved that Denzel still has a solid ability to take on roles that are different from his norm. Receiving critical acclaim as well as a slew of awards, Washington received $12 million for playing this crooked role.
#4: Out of Time (2003) – $20 million
Starring the likes of Eva Mendes and Sanaa Lathan, this thriller of a film also brought a level of spice and sex appeal. Receiving mostly positive reviews, Washington was paid $20 million for taking on the role of “Mathias Lee-Whitlock.”
#3: Man on Fire (2004) – $20 million
Playing the role of an ex-CIA agent turned mercenary, this thriller of a film also stars Dakota Fanning. Tasked with protecting a 9-year-old named “Lupita,” Washington once again delivered a stand-up performance and received another $20 million in the process.
#2: American Gangster (2007) – $40 million
A biographical film based on the tumultuous life of crime boss Frank Lucas, American Gangster once again tested the entertainer’s acting chops, which he passed with flying colors. A massive hit, the movie, as well as its accompanying soundtrack, are considered instant classics by many. To top it all off, Washington received $40 million for playing the starring role!
#1: The Little Things (2021) – $60 million
For 2021’s “The Little Things,” Denzel was paid an upfront fee of $20 million, with the expectation that he would earn tens of millions more from generous back-end profit points. In 2021, amid COVID lockdowns, Warner Media, the company behind the film, decided to make it free on HBO MAX. To make up for his lost royalties, Warner paid Denzel a one-time $40 million bonus.
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. was born in Mount Vernon, New York, on December 28, 1954. His parents, beauty salon owner Lennis and Pentecostal minister/municipal worker Denzel Washington, Sr., divorced when Denzel was 14.
After the divorce, Denzel’s mother sent him to Oakland Military Academy in New Windsor, New York. The actor would later credit that decision for saving his life. Before leaving for military school, he and his closest friends were heading down a bad path. In an interview with Parade Magazine, Washington said that those friends later went on to serve about 40 years in prison collectively.
Denzel attended Fordham University in New York City, where he played collegiate basketball. He took a semester off to consider his future and figure out what his major should be. During that time, he spent a summer working at a YMCA camp. Denzel’s performance in a camp talent show impressed the campers and his colleagues so much that one suggested he begin acting. When he returned to Fordham that fall, he began studying drama and graduated with a BA in drama and journalism in 1977.
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Washington won a full-ride scholarship to the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, though he returned to New York after a year to pursue acting professionally. He had previously appeared in several stage shows, but his first on-screen role came in 1977 with the made-for-television movie Wilma. Several smaller stage and screen roles soon followed, but Washington got his big break in 1982 when he landed a spot on the successful medical drama St. Elsewhere. He starred as Dr. Phillip Chandler for the show’s entire six-year run.
His performance in “Cry Freedom” (1987) as South African anti-apartheid activist Stephen Biko earned him an Academy Award nomination, signaling his rising star in Hollywood. This was further solidified by his Academy Award-winning performance in “Glory” (1989), where he portrayed a defiant ex-slave soldier with a riveting intensity that captivated audiences.
The 1990s and 2000s saw Washington’s stature as a leading man in Hollywood grow exponentially. He delivered powerful performances in a range of diverse roles, showcasing his ability to embody complex characters with depth and authenticity. His portrayal of the title character in “Malcolm X” (1992) was a critical and commercial success, earning him another Academy Award nomination. This was followed by a series of box office hits, including “Philadelphia” (1993), “Remember the Titans” (2000), and “Training Day” (2001), the latter earning him his second Oscar.
In 1988, Washington received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor in the anti-Apartheid film Cry Freedom, and in 1989, he won that same award for his performance in Glory.
In 1992, he received a Best Actor nomination for his performance in Malcolm X, and in 1999, he was nominated again and also won a Golden Globe for The Hurricane. In 2002, he finally won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Training Day, becoming only the second African-American actor to win Best Actor. That year, he also appeared in the Disney football drama Remember the Titans, which earned over $100 million at the box office and garnered him a Black Reel Award and an NAACP Image Award, both for Best Actor. In 2016, Denzel was presented with the Cecil B. Demille Lifetime Achievement Award at the Golden Globe Awards.
Denzel Washington is one of just eight actors who have been nominated for an Academy Award in five different decades (’80s, ’90s, ’00s, ’10s, ’20s).
Although he never finished graduate school, the actor has received three honorary doctorate degrees. The first was in 1991 from his alma mater, Fordham University, for having “impressively succeeded in exploring the edge of his multi-faceted talent.” In 2007, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Morehouse College, and in 2011, the University of Pennsylvania bestowed him with an honorary Doctor of Arts degree.
In July 2022, it was announced that Denzel Washington was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
In 2002, Washington stepped behind the camera to direct Antwone Fisher; he has since directed The Great Debaters (2007) and Fences (2016). He has also produced several movies, including The Book of Eli and The Equalizer, and several television programs. Washington is set to produce the upcoming film The Piano Lesson.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Denzel’s first movie, the made-for-television sports drama Wilma, brought him more than a career break; he also met his wife while working on the set. He married Pauletta Pearson in 1983, and the couple went on to have four children: John David, Katia, and twins Olivia and Malcolm.
As a devout Christian, Washington has considered becoming a preacher, even wondering if he should leave acting to pursue a life in the church. Luckily for his fans, he has decided to stay in Hollywood, but he says that he still reads the Bible every day.
In 2006, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia asked for help from a group of American artists and intellectuals, including Denzel Washington, Oliver Stone, and Michael Moore. They implored the group to help convince then-president George W. Bush to release 600 imprisoned rebels in exchange for 62 hostages being held in Colombia.
Denzel Washington hasn’t just kept his fame and large paychecks to himself; he has given his support – both financial and personal – to a number of worthy organizations. He has been the spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Club of America since 1993 and has served on its board since 1995. He has contributed substantial sums to Nelson Mandela’s Children’s Fund, Fordham University, the Fisher House Foundation, and Wiley College.
In the late 1990s, Denzel and his wife custom-build an enormous mansion on a previously undeveloped lot in the exclusive gated community of Beverly Park, high up in the hills of Beverly Hills. The primary mansion spans 30,000 square feet. The guest house is 5,000 square feet. Mark Wahlberg’s nearby home is somewhat comparable. Mark put his mansion on the market in April 2022 for $87.5 million. Mark ultimately accepted $55 million in February 2023. Here is a photo of Denzel’s mansion just as construction was being completed in late 1999:
(Photo By James Aylott/Getty Images)
In April 2022, Denzel and his wife paid a little under $11 million for an 8,000-square-foot, 6-bedroom condo in Century City, California. The seller was HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, one of the late Saudi Arabian King Faisal’s many grandchildren.
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