Denzel Washington may be one of the most successful actors in Hollywood today, but growing up, he was a nuisance to his mother. His mother decided to enroll him in a prestigious private school in New York that ultimately spared him from the same fate as all of his peers. It turned out that he was a man with a large heart who would perform acts of kindness for anyone who was struggling.
Denzel Washington is one of those performers who does not require an introduction. He is a household name. The prizes he’s won, and his movies’ broken records speak for themselves.
However, he had to work hard to achieve achievements and accolades. Washington was raised by a very strict mother who worked very hard. His mother ran a beauty parlor, and his father was a pastor who oversaw two churches. Both of his parents were dedicated workers; his father controlled two churches.
Denzel Washington in New York 2016. | Source: Getty Images
Unfortunately, the actor’s parents separated and divorced when he was 14 years old; as a result, Washington and his siblings were left in their mother, Lennis’ care to be raised. Washington went on to have a successful acting career.
Nevertheless, Washington acknowledged that out of the three children that his parents had, he was the one that was the most difficult for his mother to raise.
Following his parents’ marriage breakup, Washington became rebellious and associated with undesirable companies. He admitted that one of his buddies had sadly died, that one of his other friends had spent 28 years in prison, and that another friend had spent 20 years in jail.
Denzel Washington with his mother, Lennis, and his wife Pauletta at the 62nd Annual Academy Awards in 1990. | Source: Getty Images
After his mother became aware of her son’s frightening path, she removed him from Oklahoma and enrolled him in an elite private school in New York.
However, although this was where Washington started a new chapter in his life, things were not always easy for him. The performer admitted that he would continue to get into so much trouble that he would be sent home, but the actor’s mother would send him back until he got his act together.
He was successful in athletics and was also a member of a band. During this time, Washington first became interested in the arts and entertainment. But he is under the impression that he would not have been able to accomplish those things without the help of his cherished mother.
Denzel Washington in Toronto in 2003. | Source: Getty Images
Washington claimed he was “throwing pebbles at the penitentiary” but never contacted the building. Because he considers it a miracle that he did not wind up in prison like his buddies, the star of “Man on Fire” will never forget the words his mother told him when he was younger: “Son, you never know who is praying for you.”
When asked what piece of guidance he would offer his 15-year-old self, the actor frequently laughs in disbelief and responds, “listen to your mother!” He does this because he is unsure whether he would have his current comfortable life if it were not for his mother.
Strong Love Between a Mother and Her Son
When Washington’s mother passed away in 2021, she lived to be 97 years old. The host of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” consoled the performer for his loss during the actor’s appearance on the show.
Danzel Washington in Los Angeles in 2017. | Source: Getty Images
He was grateful that he and his siblings could spend so much time with their mother while she lived. During discussing a mother’s affection, Colbert brought up one of Washington’s quotes: “A mother is a son’s, first love.” Washington agreed with this statement.
Washington continued by saying, “a son, especially that first son, is a mother’s last true love,” which complements what was previously stated. After asking the actor how he continues to honor his mother and the love she provided to her children, Colbert prompted this response from the celebrity.
The actor stated that he had concluded that his wife Pauletta is overly sensitive regarding their oldest son, John David Washington. Washington was quoted as saying, “He can do no wrong.”
Denzel Washington with his wife Pauletta in New York in 2016. | Source: Getty Images
However, Washington could not complete her speech without getting teary-eyed when discussing a mother’s love. He even admitted that he was shocked by the flood of tears that he was experiencing because he did not cry at his mother’s funeral. On the other hand, the actor urged the spectators to hug their loved ones while they were still alive.
The lessons that Washington attributes learning about the value of family from his mother include: Since their wedding in 1983, he and his wife Pauletta have been together, and together they have raised their four children, John, Katia, Malcolm, and Olivia. The actor has an incredible amount of pride in his independent-minded partner. He mentioned that she is a Christian and has instructed their children to pray and read the scriptures.
When asked what contributes to the longevity of a marriage, the actor responded, “a lot of prayers.” Pauletta is the steady foundation of the Washington family and the glue that holds their children together.
Denzel Washington at the Golden Globes in Beverly Hills with his family in 2016. | Source: Getty Images
Washington claimed nothing was more satisfying than racing home from work to catch one of his son’s events and spend quality time with his family. “Family is life. Acting is not life to me. It’s making a living,” the actor commented.
Washington also says that his mother taught him to be humble, another trait he tries to keep. He thought back to the beginning of his profession when he had just begun his ascent to fame.
The star of “The Equalizer” claimed he went home to show off his popularity, but his mother quickly put him in his place and informed him that he did not know whose prayers had helped him get to where he was. After that, you instructed him to clean the windows.
Denzel Washington with his wife Pauletta in Hollywood in 2016. | Source: Getty Images
Even when he was older and more successful, Lennis continued to tell Washington that to live a happy life, he needed to look deeper within himself, and it was because of this the actor chose to give up drinking.
Denzel Washington saved a Man’s Life.
Washington gives credit to his mother for training him to be a good man, and he shows the depth of his kindness through the choices he makes in his daily life. While driving through West Hollywood, the actor came across a homeless person standing in the center of a busy street.
He didn’t give it a second thought before pulling over to the shoulder of the road and putting himself in harm’s way to save someone else. Even though it was difficult for him to travel through the busy street full of cars, the actor successfully moved the man away from the road in a secure way.
Denzel Washington in New York 2017. | Source: Getty Images
But Washington did not stop there; he contacted the police and waited with the person while they processed the call. The police arrested him for no apparent reason, and the actor remained with him throughout the experience, helping him state the authorities.
Throughout his questioning, Washington was there to offer him support and comfort. He even gave the guy a sandwich and a face mask to protect the other individual from the coronavirus.
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