How Denzel Washington Beat the ‘Oscars Curse’ and Changed Hollywood Forever!

In 1990, Denzel Washington reached a significant milestone in his career, winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Private Silas Trip in Glory. At just 36 years old, Washington had the world at his feet, besting a star-studded field that included Dan Aykroyd, Martin Landau, and Marlon Brando. However, as history has shown, the glitz and glamour of an Oscar win don’t always guarantee continued success in Hollywood. For many young actors, winning an Oscar has become part of a troubling pattern—the so-called “Oscars curse,” where the initial fame can lead to a career plateau or even a decline.

Washington, aware of the potential pitfalls of this so-called curse, was determined to avoid falling into that trap. In a candid interview with Playboy, he shared how he managed to keep his career momentum going after his Oscar win, and why his decisions during that time were crucial to his ongoing success.

The Immediate Post-Oscar Move

After taking home the Oscar, Washington knew that the next few years were critical for his career. He recalled the night of the Oscars, saying, “The night I won I went to Spago [a restaurant in California], and Joel Silver walked in and said, ‘We have to do something.’” Silver, a powerhouse producer behind major franchises like Die Hard and The Matrix, saw the potential for Washington and acted swiftly. Just eight months later, Washington was filming Ricochet, an action thriller directed by Russell Mulcahy. In Ricochet, Washington plays a policeman-turned-lawyer forced to confront a criminal he once helped put behind bars. The film wasn’t a massive box office hit, but it was a solid success that kept Washington working and in the public eye.

This decision to take on Ricochet could have been risky, though. At the time, it was a genre that didn’t quite align with the prestige roles expected after an Oscar win. In hindsight, Washington admitted that Ricochet could have been a career misstep, saying, “It could have been awful for my career, and 10 years later people might have been saying, ‘He won the Oscar then couldn’t get anything good.’” But it was a conscious choice that paid off by allowing Washington to avoid the career stagnation that can follow an Oscar win.

A String of Successful Projects

Washington didn’t rest on his laurels after Ricochet. He followed up with the highly anticipated role of Malcolm X in Spike Lee’s Malcolm X (1992), a performance that would become one of his most iconic and enduring roles. He didn’t stop there. The year after Malcolm X, he starred in three major films: Much Ado About Nothing, The Pelican Brief, and Philadelphia—a trio that further cemented his place as one of Hollywood’s most talented and versatile actors. This string of high-profile roles kept him in the conversation and allowed him to continue to showcase his range and commitment to quality, both as an actor and as a figure in Hollywood.

The key, as Washington reflects, was in making smart choices. He had the foresight to avoid being pigeonholed into roles that might have limited his growth, which is why he stayed selective about his projects.

Winning Again: Best Actor in Training Day

By 2002, Washington had not only survived the supposed “Oscars curse” but had thrived. He won his second Academy Award, this time for Best Actor, for his intense portrayal of corrupt cop Detective Alonzo Harris in Training Day. This was yet another pivotal moment in Washington’s career, affirming that his talent was not just a flash in the pan, but a consistently powerful presence in Hollywood. His role in Training Day would go on to be one of the most memorable in his storied career, adding another layer of depth to his already impressive portfolio.

The Importance of Smart Choices

When asked why some actors, such as Cuba Gooding Jr. and Whoopi Goldberg, struggled to find meaningful roles after their Oscar wins, Washington humbly said, “I can’t say why, since I don’t know why they made the choices they made. Whether they were money choices or artistic choices.” His own post-Oscar career, however, reflects a combination of both savvy artistic decisions and an awareness of the kinds of roles that would allow him to evolve as an actor. He credits his ability to avoid the Oscars curse to the deliberate choices he made early on in his career, ensuring he didn’t fall into the trap of playing it safe or taking on roles that would pigeonhole him.

Washington’s story serves as a masterclass in navigating the pressures that come with sudden fame. His ability to stay relevant and avoid being limited by his Oscar win was no accident; it was the result of careful planning, strategic career decisions, and an unwavering commitment to his craft.

Conclusion: The Denzel Washington Legacy

Today, Denzel Washington stands as one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, with a career that spans decades and includes two Academy Awards, numerous nominations, and a wide range of iconic roles. His ability to avoid the “Oscars curse” is a testament to his talent, but also to his wisdom in making the right choices at crucial points in his career. While many others have faltered after winning the coveted golden statue, Washington’s careful navigation of post-Oscar life ensures that he remains as relevant and respected as ever. His story is a powerful reminder that talent, combined with the right career decisions, can lead to sustained success, rather than a fleeting moment of fame.