Jake Gyllenhaal Almost Turned Down Othello—But Denzel Washington’s Advice Changed His Mind Completely

Jake Gyllenhaal has always been known for his dynamic and versatile performances, but his recent experience working alongside Denzel Washington in the Broadway play Othello has had a profound impact on how he approaches acting. In an interview with Variety, Gyllenhaal opened up about the invaluable lessons he’s learned from the legendary actor, particularly in regard to freedom and spontaneity onstage.

For Gyllenhaal, stepping into the world of theater was a daunting challenge. The actor admitted that he felt insecure during the early previews of Othello, revealing that he struggled to find his footing in the live performance environment. “I struggled in the first few previews,” Gyllenhaal confessed. “To fall back on techniques makes me feel insecure. I’m used to doing 10 takes on a movie,” he added, referencing the controlled, repetitive nature of film acting compared to the unpredictable nature of live theater.

However, working alongside Denzel Washington, Gyllenhaal began to see the stage in a new light. “One of the millions of things that I’ve learned from Denzel is freedom onstage,” Gyllenhaal shared. Washington’s approach to acting—one that is rooted in living in the moment and embracing the fluidity of performance—has helped Gyllenhaal become more relaxed and spontaneous onstage.

Gyllenhaal also reflected on how the experience of theater pushed him to adjust his expectations. “If you go home and your voice is shot, you’re like, ‘At least they got it.’ So, I do vocal warm-ups before the show,” he explained, describing the physical preparation he now does before each performance. Despite the physical demands of live theater, Gyllenhaal revealed that he almost turned down the opportunity to join the play, feeling uncertain about his ability to handle the transition from film to stage. “Director Kenny Leon and Denzel came to me, and I was like, ‘I can’t do this,'” he admitted. It was Washington’s encouragement, however, that gave him the confidence to move forward.

Washington’s influence on Gyllenhaal has gone beyond just technical aspects of acting. Gyllenhaal credited the veteran actor with helping him become “calmer” onstage. “When things change and move, or he doesn’t remember, he’s flowing with it. I set boundaries for myself, and Denzel is just pushing them,” Gyllenhaal noted. This approach, Gyllenhaal said, has helped him embrace the ebb and flow of live theater, allowing for greater freedom in his portrayal of Iago, a role he plays in the production. “I find Iago is different every night. Sometimes it veers into mustache-twirling more than it should, and sometimes he’s just brokenhearted,” he explained, acknowledging the fluidity of his character’s emotional range.

Perhaps most striking of all is Gyllenhaal’s admiration for Washington’s acting philosophy. “What’s most interesting about Denzel is he’s not the guy who’s killing people right and left,” Gyllenhaal observed. “He’s saying, ‘There’s a knife over there,’ and then somebody else goes and stabs the person with it. It’s very prescient in that way.” This nuanced approach, Gyllenhaal said, allows Washington to bring depth and thoughtfulness to even the most dramatic moments, a quality Gyllenhaal strives to emulate in his own performances.

In many ways, Othello has not only been a transformative project for Gyllenhaal’s career, but it’s also reshaped his understanding of acting itself. Thanks to Denzel Washington’s mentorship, Gyllenhaal has learned to embrace the spontaneity, unpredictability, and raw emotion of live theater, all while retaining his signature dedication to the craft. Through Washington’s guidance, Gyllenhaal has discovered a new level of freedom in his performances, one that will undoubtedly enrich his work for years to come.