Denzel Washington Rejects “Hollywood Actor” Label: “I’m a Stage Actor Who Does Film”

Denzel Washington, the two-time Academy Award-winning actor known for unforgettable roles in Training Day, Glory, and many more, delivered a revealing statement in a recent CBS Sunday Morning interview aired March 23, 2025. Far from embracing the typical Hollywood star image, Washington insists he is not a “Hollywood actor” at all—but rather “a stage actor who does film,” grounded in his roots from Mount Vernon, New York.

During the interview with Bill Whitaker, Washington dismissed the idea that Hollywood defines him or his craft. “What’s the definition of a Hollywood actor? Myself, I’m from Mt. Vernon, so I’m a ‘Mt. Vernon actor,’” he said with conviction. “I don’t know what ‘Hollywood’ means. I know it’s a place.” This humble identification underscores his reluctance to be boxed in by the glamour and buzz of the film industry, despite his towering achievements—including multiple Oscars, Golden Globes, and a Tony Award for Fences.

Washington’s real passion lies in theater. “I did stage first. I learned how to act on stage, not on film,” he explained, emphasizing the foundational role live performance has played in shaping his artistry. He drew a clear distinction between the two mediums: “Movies are a filmmaker’s medium. You shoot it, and then you’re gone, and they cut together and add music and do all of that.” In contrast, “Theater is an actor’s medium. The curtain goes up, nobody can help you.” This raw immediacy and unfiltered connection with an audience—free from edits or director’s cut—is what Washington treasures most.

The timing of these remarks coincides with Washington’s highly anticipated Broadway revival of Othello, where he stars in the titular role opposite Jake Gyllenhaal as Iago. Directed by Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon, the production opened on March 23, 2025, at the Barrymore Theatre and has already set records for the highest-grossing week for a Broadway play ever. This marks Washington’s sixth Broadway appearance and follows critically acclaimed performances in A Raisin in the Sun and The Iceman Cometh.

In the interview, Washington expressed profound excitement about returning to the stage, calling Othello “the most excited I’ve been this century.” He also paid homage to his idol, the late James Earl Jones, who famously portrayed Othello in a 1982 revival: “He was who I wanted to be.”

Washington’s career path mirrors his self-definition. After studying at Fordham University and the American Conservatory Theater, he honed his craft in Off-Broadway productions before transitioning to television (St. Elsewhere) and films during the 1980s. Despite his immense box office success—totaling over $4.9 billion worldwide—and acclaimed directorial efforts (Fences, The Great Debaters), Washington has continually returned to his theatrical roots.

Though he remains active in film with recent projects like Gladiator II and upcoming collaborations with Spike Lee and Netflix, Washington chooses his film roles selectively, stating in 2024 that he is “only interested in working with the best” at this stage of his career.

In an industry often consumed by fame and celebrity, Denzel Washington’s stance is a refreshing reminder of acting’s true artistic heart. By embracing his Mount Vernon origins and championing the immediacy of live theater, he challenges Hollywood’s glossy image, prioritizing authenticity, craft, and the transformative power of the stage.

As Othello continues its run through June 2025, audiences have a rare opportunity to witness a true master of the craft at work—an actor who defines himself not by Hollywood’s standards, but by the timeless art of the theater.