denzel washington speech motivation

Denzel Washington “Fall Forward” Commencement Speech Transcript

Actor Denzel Washington gave a commencement speech on May 16, 2011 at the University of Pennsylvania. Read the full speech transcript here.

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Denzel Washington: ( 00:03 ) Thank you. Thank you very much. I am obviously the most unorganized. Everybody else has nice boxes to bring their script up in. I just got it all messed up here and put it inside of a magazine. So, in fact, I don’t even have it in the right order. Wait a minute, let me get it in the right order here. So if it starts flying around the stage, just run around and grab it for me and bring it back up here for me. I’ll keep going as I can.

Denzel Washington: ( 00:49 ) President Gutmann, Provost Price, Board Chair Cohen, fellow honorees, beautiful honorees, and today’s graduates. Yeah. I’m honored and grateful for the invitation today. It’s always been great to be on the Penn campus. I’ve been here before a lot of times for basketball games. My son played at the [inaudible 00:01:22] played on the basketball team. Yeah, that’s right. Played on the basketball team. Coach didn’t give him enough playing time. We’ll talk about that later.

Denzel Washington: ( 01:36 ) No, but I’m really pleased with the progress that Coach Allen has made and… No, I do. I am. I really am. And I hope him the best success in the future. And I always get a warm welcome when I come to Pennsylvania, when I come to Philadelphia, except on the few occasions where I wear my Yankee cap. What’s wrong with that? I can’t suddenly just switch up and wear a Philly cap. It’s taking your life in your hands around here when you wear a Yankee cap, I’m telling you. I met a couple of guys and they were like, “Hey, we love you, Denzel, but you’re walking around with that hat on, we don’t care who you are.” So you’ll be happy to see that I’m not wearing my Yankee cap today. I’m wearing my Yankee socks, my Yankee tee shirt, my Yankee jock shorts, my Yankee underwear, my Yankee toe warmers, but not my Yankee cap.

Denzel Washington: ( 02:42 ) But still, I’ll be honest with you. I’m a little nervous. I’m not used to speaking at a graduation of this magnitude. It’s a little overwhelming. It’s out of my comfort zone. You dress me up in army fatigues or throw me on top of a moving train that someone said unstoppable, or ask me to play Malcolm X, Rubin Hurricane Carter, or Alonzo from Training Day, I can do that. But a commencement speech, it’s a very serious affair, and it’s a very different ball game. There are literally thousands and thousands of people here. And for those who say, “Well, you’re a movie star, millions of people watch you and watch you speak all the time.” Well, that’s true. That’s technically true. But I’m not actually in the theater, watching them watching me. I think that makes sense. I’m not there when they cough or fidget around or pull out their iPhones or text their boyfriend or scratch their behinds or whatever it is they’re doing in a movie theater.

Denzel Washington: ( 03:46 ) But from up here, I can see every single one of you. And that makes me uncomfortable. So please, don’t pull out your iPhones and your texts. Don’t text your boyfriend until after I’m done. Please. If you have to scratch it behind, I understand, go ahead.

Denzel Washington: ( 04:09 ) I was thinking about this speech, what I should say. I figured the best way to keep your attention would be to talk about something, really juicy Hollywood stuff. I thought I could talk about me and Russell Crowe getting in arguments on the set of American Gangster or… But I said, no, no, no. You’re a group of high-minded intellectuals. You’re not interested in that. Or maybe not. I thought about a private moment I had a backstage with Angelina Jolie in a dressing room after the Oscars, but I said, no, I don’t think so. This is an Ivy League school. And Angelina Jolie half naked in a dressing room, who wants to hear about that? No one, no one, no one. No one. This is Penn. That stuff would never go over well over here. Maybe at Drexel, but not over here.

Denzel Washington: ( 05:08 ) I’m in trouble now. So I was back to square one, feeling the pressure. So, now you’re probably thinking if it was going to be this difficult, this is much pressure, why did I even accept today’s invitation in the first place? Well, my son goes here, that’s number one. That’s a good reason. And I always like to check to see how my money’s being spent. And I’m sure there’s some parents out there who can relate to what I’m talking about. Yeah. Everybody upstairs. And there were some other good reasons for me to show up. Sure, I got an Academy Award, but I never had something called a magic meatball after waiting in line for half an hour at the food truck. Yeah.

Denzel Washington: ( 06:09 ) Yes. I talked face to face with President Obama, but I never talked face-to-face with a guy named [Queeter 00:06:15] who sings bad songs over at Smokes on Tuesday night. I never been the [inaudible 00:06:24] I never been to [Hemo’s 00:06:27]. Yes, I have played a detective who battles demons, but I’ve never been to a school in my life where the squirrel population has gone bananas. They’re breaking into dorm rooms. They’re walking around campus. I think I saw some carrying books on their way to class.

Denzel Washington: ( 06:48 ) So I had to be here. I had to come, even though I was afraid I might make a fool of myself. In fact, if you really want to know the truth, I had to come exactly because… I had to come exactly because I might make a fool of myself. Now, what am I talking about? Here it is.

Denzel Washington: ( 07:09 ) I found that nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks. Nothing. Nelson Mandela said, “There is no passion to be found, playing small and settling for a life that’s less than the one you’re capable of living.”

Denzel Washington: ( 07:29 ) Now, I’m sure in your experiences in school and applying to college and picking your major and deciding what you want to do with life, I’m sure people have told you to make sure you have something to fall back on. Make sure you got something to fall back on, honey. But I never understood that concept, having something to fall back on. If I’m going to fall, I don’t want to fall back on anything except my faith. I want to fall forward. I figure at least this way, I’ll see what I’m going to hit.

Denzel Washington: ( 08:04 ) Fall forward. This is what I mean. Reggie Jackson struck out 2,600 times in his career, the most in the history of baseball, but you don’t hear about the strikeouts. People remember the home runs. Fall forward.

Denzel Washington: ( 08:22 ) Thomas Edison conducted 1000 failed experiments. Did you know that? I didn’t know that. Because the 1001st was the light bulb. Fall forward.

Denzel Washington: ( 08:36 ) Every failed experiment is one step closer to success. You’ve got to take risks, and I’m sure you’ve probably heard that before, but I want to talk to you about why that’s so important. I got three reasons, and then you can pick up your iPhones.

Denzel Washington: ( 08:52 ) First, you will fail at some point in your life. Accept it. You will lose. You will embarrass yourself. You will suck at something. There’s no doubt about it. And I know that’s probably not a traditional message for a graduation ceremony, but hey, I’m telling you embrace it because it’s inevitable. And I should know. In the acting business, you fail all the time.

Denzel Washington: ( 09:18 ) Early on in my career, I auditioned for a part in a Broadway musical. Perfect role for me, I thought, except for the fact that I can’t sing. So, I’m in the wings. I’m about to go on stage, but the guy in front of me, he’s singing like Pavoratti, just [inaudible 00:09:39] and he’s just going on and on and on. And I’m just shrinking. I’m getting smaller and smaller. So they say, “Oh, thank you very much. Thank you very much. You’ll be hearing from us.” So I come out with my little sheet music, and it was Just My Imagination by The Temptations. That’s what I came up with. So I hand it to the accompanyist, and she looks at it and looks at me and looks out at the director and was like, ” All right.”

Denzel Washington: ( 10:12 ) So I start, I’m going to sing. I’m like, “It’s just my imagination once again, coming away with me.” And they’re not saying anything, so I’m thinking I’m getting better. I started getting into it. “It was just my imagination.” And they say, “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Washington. Thank you.” So I assumed I didn’t get the job. But the next part of the audition, he called me back. The next part of the audition is the acting part of the audition. I’m like, “Hey, okay. Maybe I can’t sing, but I know I can act.”

Denzel Washington: ( 10:54 ) So they pair me with this guy. And again, I didn’t know about musical theater. And musical theater is big, so they can reach everyone all the way in the back of the stadium. And I’m more from a realistic, naturalistic acting, where you actually talk to the person next to you. So I don’t know what my line was. My line was, “Hand me the cup.” And his line was, “Well, I will hand you the cup, my dear. The cup will be there to be handed to you.” I said, “Okay. Well, should I give you the cup back?” “Oh, yes. You should give it back to me because you know that is my cup and it should be given back to me.”

Denzel Washington: ( 11:43 ) I didn’t get the job. But here’s the thing. I didn’t quit. I didn’t fall back. I walked out of there to prepare for the next audition and the next audition and the next audition. I prayed. I prayed and I prayed. But I continued to fail and fail and fail. But it didn’t matter because you know what? There’s an old saying, you hang around the barbershop long enough, sooner or later, you’re going to get a haircut. So you will catch a break. And I did catch a break.

Denzel Washington: ( 12:28 ) Last year, I did a play called Fences on Broadway. Someone talked about it. Won the Tony Award. And I didn’t have to sing, by the way. But here’s the kicker. It was at the Cort Theatre. It was at the same theater that I failed that first audition, 30 years prior.

Denzel Washington: ( 12:59 ) The point is, and I’ll pick up the pace, the point is every graduate here today has the training and the talent to succeed. But do you have the guts to fail?

Denzel Washington: ( 13:11 ) Here’s my second point about failure. If you don’t fail, you’re not even trying. I’ll say it again. If you don’t fail, you’re not even trying. My wife told me this great expression. To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did. Les Brown’s a motivational speaker. He made an analogy about this. He says, “Imagine you’re on your deathbed, and standing around your deathbed are the ghosts representing your unfulfilled potential, the ghost of the ideas you never acted on, the ghost of the talents you didn’t use. And they’re standing around your bed, angry, disappointed, and upset. They say, ‘We came to you because you could have brought us to life,’ they say. ‘And now we have to go to the grave together.'”

Denzel Washington: ( 14:01 ) So I ask you today, how many ghosts are going to be around your bed when your time comes? You’ve invested a lot in your education, and people have invested in you. And let me tell you, the world needs your talents. Man, does it ever. I just got back from Africa two days ago, so if I’m rambling on it’s because I’m jet lagged. I just got back from South Africa. It’s a beautiful country, but there are places there with terrible poverty that need help. And Africa is just the tip of the iceberg. The Middle East needs your help. Japan needs your help. Alabama needs your help. Tennessee needs your help. Louisiana needs your help. Philadelphia needs your help.

Denzel Washington: ( 14:50 ) The world needs a lot, and we need it from you. We really do. We need it from you young people. I’m not speaking for the rest of us up here, but I know I’m getting a little grayer. We need it from you, the young people, because remember this. So you got to get out there. You got to give it everything you got, whether it’s your time, your talent, your prayers, or your treasures. Because remember this, you will never see a U-Haul behind a hearse. I’ll say it again. You will never see a U-Haul behind a hearse. You can’t take it with you. The Egyptians tried it, and all they got was robbed.

Denzel Washington: ( 15:45 ) So the question is, what are you going to do with what you have? I’m not talking about how much you have. Some of you are business majors. Some of you were theologians, nurses, sociologists. Some of you have money. Some of you have patience. Some of you have kindness. Some of you have love. Some of you have the gift of long-suffering. Whatever it is, whatever your gift is, what are you going to do with what you have?

Denzel Washington: ( 16:12 ) All right. Now, here’s my last point about failure. Sometimes it’s the best way to figure out where you’re going. Your life will never be a straight path. I began at Fordham University as a pre-med student. I took a course called cardiac… I still can’t say it. It’s cardiac morphogenesis. I couldn’t read it. I couldn’t say it. I sure couldn’t pass it.

Denzel Washington: ( 16:43 ) So then I decided to go into pre-law, then journalism. And with no academic focus, my grades took off in their own direction. Yeah, down. I was a 1.8 GPA one semester. And the university very politely suggested that it might be better to take some time off. I was 20 years old. I was at my lowest point.

Denzel Washington: ( 17:09 ) And then one day, and I remember the exact day, March 27, 1975, I was helping my mother in her beauty shop. My mother owned a beauty shop up in Mount Vernon. And there was this older woman who was considered one of the elders in the town. And I didn’t know her personally, but I was looking in a mirror and every time I looked at the mirror, I could see her behind me. And she was staring at me. She just kept looking at me. Every time I looked at it, she kept giving me these strange looks. So she finally took the dryer off her head, and she said something I’ll never forget.

Denzel Washington: ( 17:41 ) First of all, she said, “Somebody give me a piece of paper. Give me a piece of paper.” She said, “Young boy, I have a prophecy, a spiritual prophecy.” She said, “You are going to travel the world and speak to millions of people.”

Denzel Washington: ( 17:57 ) Now mind you, I’m 20 years old. I’m flunked out of school. In fact, like a wise ass, I’m thinking to myself, maybe she’s got something in that crystal ball about me getting back into school next fall.

Denzel Washington: ( 18:09 ) But maybe she was onto something. Because later that summer, while working as a counselor to YMCA camp in Connecticut, we put on a talent show for the campus. And after the show, another counselor that came up to me and asked, “Had you ever thought about acting? You’re good at that.” So when I got back to Fordham that fall, I got in and I changed my major once again, for the last time. And in the years that followed, just as that woman prophesied, I have traveled the world, and I have spoken to millions of people through my movies. Millions who, up till this day, I couldn’t see while I was talking to them and they couldn’t see me. They could only see the movie. They couldn’t see the real me. But I see you today. And I’m encouraged by what I see. And I’m strengthened by what I see. And I love what I see.

Denzel Washington: ( 19:20 ) One more page and I’ll shut up. Let me conclude with this one final point. And actually, the president brought it up, has to do with the movie Philadelphia. She stole my material. Many years ago, I did this movie called Philadelphia. We filmed some of the scenes right here on campus. Philadelphia came out in 1993. Most of you were probably still in diapers, some of the professors too. That cracked me up. But it was a good movie. Rent it on, what do you call it? Netflix. It’s a good movie. Rent it. I get 23 cents every time you rent it. Please rent it. True. Parents up there, rent it. Netflix. Please. Tell your friends too.

Denzel Washington: ( 20:08 ) It’s about a man, played by Tom Hanks, who’s fired from his law firm because he has AIDS. He wants to sue the firm, but no one’s willing to represent him until the homophobic ambulance chaser lawyer played by yours truly takes on the case. In a way, if you watch the movie, you’ll see everything I’m talking about today. You’ll see what I mean about taking risks or being willing to fail because taking risks is not just about going for a job. It’s also about knowing what you know and what you don’t know. It’s about being open to people and to ideas.

Denzel Washington: ( 20:45 ) In the course of the film, the character I play begins to take small steps, small risks. He very, very, very slowly begins to overcome his fears. And I feel, ultimately, his heart becomes flooded with love. And I can’t think of a better message as we send you off today to not only take risks, but to be open to life, to accept new views and to be open to new opinions, to be willing to speak at a commencement at one of the best universities in the country, even though you’re scared stiff. While it may be frightening, it will also be rewarding. Because the chances you take, the people you meet, the people you love, the faith that you have, that’s what’s going to define you.

Denzel Washington: ( 21:42 ) So members of the class of 2011, this is your mission. When you leave the friendly confines of Philly, never be discouraged, never hold back, give everything you got. And when you fall throughout life, and maybe even tonight after a few many glasses of champagne, remember this: fall forward. Congratulations. I love you. God bless you. I respect you.

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Most Moving Denzel Washington Inspirational Speech: Words That Inspire

Table of contents.

Denzel Washington, a legendary presence in Hollywood, is celebrated not only for his captivating portrayals on the silver screen but also for his transformative influence beyond it, mainly through his uplifting orations. Denzel Washington inspirational speech has a remarkable ability to ignite passion, provoke introspection, and ignite change. This piece explores some of Denzel Washington’s most stirring addresses, capturing the core of his insights into confronting adversities with resilience and recognizing the profound significance of love, perseverance, and self-discipline.

Key Takeaways

• Denzel Washington’s speeches emphasize the importance of ‘falling forward,’ encouraging us to learn from our failures and use them as stepping stones to success.
• His insights on love and family highlight the significance of prioritizing personal relationships over professional accolades, reminding us that true fulfillment comes from the heart.
• Washington advocates for a disciplined mindset, asserting that motivation can wane, but discipline ensures consistency and progress toward our goals.

Embracing Life’s Challenges with Denzel Washington

The Power of Falling Forward

In life’s journey, falling forward is an essential skill that Denzel Washington advocates for. It’s about transforming setbacks into setups for future success. Washington’s narrative of overcoming failed auditions is a testament to this philosophy. He encourages us to view each stumble not as a defeat but as a pivotal moment of learning and growth.

We often fear failure, yet it is through these very failures that we forge our resilience and strength.

Here are key takeaways from Washington’s approach to falling forward:

• Embrace each failure as an opportunity for improvement.
• Recognize that mistakes are inevitable and valuable lessons.
• Understand that mastery is a journey, not a destination.

By internalizing these principles, we can see our missteps as necessary steps toward success. Washington’s words are a potent reminder that progress often comes disguised as failure.

Finding a New Way to Stand Amidst Adversity

Denzel Washington urges us to find strength in our struggles in the face of adversity. He emphasizes that life’s challenges should not be barriers but stepping stones to greater heights. The key is approaching difficulties with unshakable faith, embodying the idea that we must not let life’s situations overpower us, even amidst interferences.

It’s in the heart of challenges where we often discover our true potential. By embracing adversity, we learn to cultivate determination and resilience, essential qualities for overcoming obstacles and emerging victorious.

Here are a few steps to consider when finding your footing during tough times:

• Acknowledge the challenge and its impact on your life.
• Reassess your goals and the paths to achieve them.
• Cultivate a mindset of perseverance and resilience.
• Transform setbacks into opportunities for growth.

Denzel Washington’s words resonate with the notion that every setback is a setup for a comeback. By reexamining our perspectives and reflecting on our backgrounds and biases, we can flip seemingly unfair situations to our advantage. This approach makes us more robust and propels us towards mastery of our destinies.

The Journey from Failure to Mastery

In the realm of personal growth and achievement, Denzel Washington’s words resonate with a profound truth: failure is not the opposite of success, but a stepping stone towards it . Denzel Washington inspirational speech, ‘Fall Forward’, illuminates the path from stumbling blocks to stepping stones, urging us to embrace our defeats as necessary milestones on the journey to mastery.

Mastery is not born of a flawless journey, but sculpted through the perseverance and resilience we muster in the face of our missteps.

Washington’s insights lay out a blueprint for transformation, where each failure is dissected, understood, and used as a foundation for future success. Below is a list of principles derived from his teachings:

• Recognize that failure is an integral part of learning.
• Embrace each setback as an opportunity for growth.
• Persist with courage, even when mistakes obscure the path.
• Cultivate the wisdom to discern lessons in every downfall.

By internalizing these tenets, we can shift our perspective on failure, seeing it not as a defect but as a vital component of our evolution. Washington’s narrative is a testament to the power of resilience and a reminder that mastery is not an endpoint but a continuous journey marked by the courage to rise after every fall.

Denzel Washington on Love, Life, and Discipline

Family Over Fame: Prioritizing What Matters Most

In the whirlwind of success, Denzel Washington reminds us that the accurate measure of a person’s life is not the accolades but the love and legacy they leave behind. Family is the cornerstone of a fulfilled life , a sentiment echoed in his speeches. Washington’s words encourage us to invest in the relationships that matter most, often highlighting the importance of being present and supportive within the family unit.

• The joy of parenting, despite its challenges.
• The strength found in family unity.
• The legacy we leave for our children.

In the end, it’s the moments spent with loved ones that we cherish the most.

Washington’s perspective powerfully reminds us that while fame is fleeting, the bonds we forge with our family are lasting. By sharing his own experiences, he inspires us to look beyond the superficial and cherish the profound connections that shape our lives.

Transforming Thoughts to Change Your Life

In personal growth, Denzel Washington’s inspirational speech echoes the sentiment that our thoughts shape our reality. He emphasizes that the mind is a powerful tool, capable of leading us to new heights or trapping us in cycles of doubt and fear. To transform our lives, we must first transform our thoughts.

• Recognize negative patterns
• Challenge limiting beliefs
• Cultivate a mindset of abundance and possibility

Transformation begins in the crucible of our own thoughts. It is there that we forge the steel of our will and sculpt the future we desire.

Denzel Washington inspires us to take ownership of our mental landscape. Doing so can unlock a life of purpose and passion, where every thought is a step towards fulfilling our deepest aspirations.

The Discipline Behind Motivation

In personal growth and achievement, discipline stands as the cornerstone of success . It’s the silent force that Denzel Washington champions in his best motivational speech, Denzel Washington. Discipline is not merely a trait but a practiced skill honed through consistent action and unwavering commitment.

Denzel’s motivational speech illuminates the path to triumph, not just in the peaks of victory but through the valleys of effort and perseverance. The denzel washington motivational mantra is clear: motivation gets you going, but discipline keeps you growing. It’s the bridge between aspirations and accomplishments, a theme echoed in the denzel washington motivational speech .

• Set clear goals
• Develop a disciplined routine
• Stay consistent in your efforts
• Embrace the journey of growth

Discipline is the fuel that powers the engine of progress. It’s the relentless pursuit of excellence that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.

As Denzel eloquently puts it, the journey from a dream to reality is paved with discipline. It’s not the grand gestures but the daily commitments that shape our destiny. This is the essence of Denzel Washington’s motivational philosophy: small, disciplined steps lead to giant leaps in life.

Denzel Washington’s speeches go beyond the screen, resonating deeply. His call to ‘Fall forward’ reminds us to embrace failures as steps to success. Let’s find resilience, pursue dreams with determination, and prioritize discipline over motivation. His words guide us through challenges, inspiring courage, passionate love, and purposeful living. Let’s heed his advice to change our thoughts and propel ourselves to greater heights.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the essence of denzel washington’s ‘fall forward’ speech.

In the ‘Fall Forward’ speech, Denzel Washington emphasizes the importance of resilience and learning from failures. He advises welcoming defeats with open arms, as they are integral to personal growth and the journey towards mastery.

How does Denzel Washington view the role of family in his life?

Denzel Washington values family immensely, stating that ‘acting is just a way of making a living, the family is life.’ He prioritizes his loved ones and sees family as the central aspect of his existence.

What does Denzel Washington say about discipline and motivation?

Denzel Washington believes that discipline is crucial when motivation wanes. He asserts, ‘You won’t always be motivated. You must learn to be disciplined.’ This underscores the importance of a solid work ethic and self-discipline to achieve long-term goals.

Denzel Washington’s inspirational Commencement speech: “Do you have the guts to fail?” (video)

"No one ever tells a graduating class, ‘You’re going to fail.’ But it was very important for everyone to hear that."

Denzel Washington is one of the most respected actors in Hollywood, but the actor confessed to stirrings of stage fright when faced with a daunting role at the University of Pennsylvania ; standing before nearly 5,000 graduates as the University’s Commencement speaker.

The award winning actor described his experience at the Ivy League graduation ceremony as, “a little overwhelming and out of my comfort zone.”

Washington says he accepted the invitation to speak as a challenge and a lesson for himself. “I had to come exactly because I might make a fool of myself. I’ve found that nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks. Nothing.”

In his speech the actor said, “Failure is inevitable.” Instead of having something to fall back on, he recommended graduates should “fall forward” — learn from their mistakes and to on keep trying. He referenced Thomas Edison, who had countless failed experiments before experiencing the euphoria of success with the light bulb.

“Do you have the guts to fail?” Washington asked. “If you don’t fail, you’re not even trying.”

Washington shared one of his own early “failures”, confessing he was a pre-med student at Fordham University in New York, before he switched to pre-law, then to journalism and when he was close to flunking out, the actor switched to drama and finally received his degree.

He went on to share a second failure from about about 30 years ago, when he suffered through a miserable tryout for a Broadway musical. Then last year,  he found himself on that same stage, only this time he won a Tony award for his work in “ Fences .”

Washington’s speech resonated with physics major and  new grad,  Adam Shore. “No one ever tells a graduating class, ‘You’re going to fail.’ But it was very important for everyone to hear that. You can’t go … thinking you’re going to succeed in every way. You have to be realistic.”

via washingtonpost.com

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I just added the full video of his speech. It’s really great!

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13 Life Lessons From Denzel Washington’s Speech (And Their Importance)

By   Dan

October 26, 2022

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In the commencement speech at Dillard University, Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington shared 13 life lessons he has learned over his years in the entertainment industry.

Denzel Washington is one of Hollywood's most successful and respected actors. He has starred in some of the most popular films of all time, including Malcolm X, Training Day, and The Equalizer.

In addition to his impressive acting career, Washington is also an accomplished director, producer, and screenwriter.

In 2017, he delivered a powerful speech at the commencement ceremony for Dillard University, in which he shared 13 life lessons that have helped him achieve success in his life.

The Oscar-winner's advice is both insightful and inspiring and can be applied to people from all walks of life; here are all of the notable things that Washington had to say.

1.  Put God first. 

Denzel Washington began his speech by stressing the importance of putting God first in one's life.

The Oscar-winner urged graduates to always keep God first in their lives, regardless of how successful they become; only by doing so will they be able to maintain a sense of humility and perspective.

This is excellent advice that can be applied to all aspects of life; no matter what goals a person achieves, remember the role that faith plays in helping them reach those accomplishments.

No matter what higher power you believe in, whether it is God, the Universe, or something else, putting that force at the center of your life is a guaranteed recipe for success.

With that being said, although we know that not everyone is religious, the same message can be applied to those who do not believe in a higher power; it is crucial to have something or someone to believe in and look up to.

No matter what happens in life, always remember that there is something or someone bigger than you that you can rely on for guidance and strength.

2.  Fail big.

The next life lesson that Denzel Washington shared was the impact that failing big has on our lives.

Washington acknowledged that failure is a part of life and that we all fail at some point, but the key is to accept it, learn from one's mistakes and use them as motivation to keep moving forward.

The actor told graduates that they should not be afraid to take risks in their lives and pursue their dreams because it is only by failing that they will ultimately achieve greater success.

We get it! Failing is scary, but the truth is that it is an inevitable part of life, so rather than trying to avoid it, accept it and use it as a learning opportunity to help you grow and become better.

After all, if one of the most successful actors in Hollywood can embrace failure, then so can you!

3. Think outside the box.

Washington encouraged graduates to think outside the box because sometimes, we need to look at things from a different perspective to find the answers to the problems we've been looking for.

By thinking outside the box, you are able to come up with innovative solutions to problems and discover new opportunities that you may have otherwise missed out on.

4.  Dreams without goals are just dreams.

Denzel stressed the significance of setting goals because, without them, dreams are nothing more than just that... dreams.

How many times have you found yourself daydreaming about accomplishing something great but never taking any steps toward making it a reality?

Probably more times than you'd like to admit, right? Well, that's because you didn't set goals. Having goals gives you a sense of purpose and direction; without them, it is easy to get lost and end up in the same place you started.

It is not enough to dream about success; you need to have a plan and take actionable steps toward achieving your goals if you ever want to see them come to life.

5. Discipline and consistency are key.

The actor went on to tell graduates that discipline and consistency are key when it comes to achieving their goals, meaning they need to be disciplined enough to stick to their plans and be consistent in their efforts.

In this golden age of instant gratitude, it is easy to give up before you even start because you want to see results immediately; after all, that's what we're used to with the click of a button.

But there are no shortcuts when it comes to success, so if you want to achieve your goals, you need to be prepared to put in the work and stick to it even when things get tough; here are 9 tips to help you develop self-discipline .

It takes time and effort to see results and if you give up too soon, you'll never know what you're capable of achieving.

6. We don't plan to fail; we fail to plan.

Denzel Washington shared another piece of advice which is that we don't plan to fail, but we fail to plan.

While it is important to have goals, it is equally as important to have a plan of action; by planning ahead and being organized, you avoid unnecessary setbacks and stay on track when things get tough, all of which increase your chances of success.

7. Hard work works.

The next lesson Washington wanted graduates to know was that hard work pays off; he urged them to be willing to put in the time and effort required to achieve their dreams.

As previously mentioned, you need to be willing to put in the time and effort because there are no shortcuts to success.

If you want something bad enough, you need to be willing to work for it, and when you do, eventually, your hard work will pay off.

8. Don't confuse movement with progress. 

The actor also cautioned graduates against confusing movement with progress; just because they are busy and always on the go, it doesn't mean they are making progress toward their goals.

Instead of just being busy for the sake of being busy, be efficient and effective with your time to move closer to your goals; here are 9 tips to help you focus on the present .

Take a step back and assess your situation to ensure you are actually making progress and not just spinning your wheels.

9. You'll never see a u-haul behind a hearse.

This is one of Denzel Washington's most famous quotes, and it is a powerful reminder that we cannot take our possessions with us when we die.

Live in the present and don't get too caught up in materialistic things; life is about the experiences you have and the people you meet, not the things you own.

10.  It's not how much you have; it's what you do with what you have. 

Washington continued his speech by talking about the importance of what we do with what we have, which is what truly matters in life.

Use your talents and resources to make a positive difference in the world; no matter how big or small your contributions may be, they can make a world of difference.

11.  The most selfish thing you can do in this world Is help someone else.

He said that the most selfish thing we can do in this world is to help someone else because, in doing so, we are ultimately helping ourselves.

By helping others, you are not only making the world a better place but also helping yourself.

When you give of yourself, you make a positive impact in the world, and you also receive gratification and blessings in return.

12.  Say thank you in advance for what is already yours. 

The final life lesson that Denzel Washington shared was the power of gratitude; he encouraged graduates to say thank you in advance for all the good that is already theirs.

By expressing gratitude, you open yourself up to receiving all the good that you have been blessed with.

13.  Don't just aspire to make a living; aspire to make a difference.

Washington ended his speech with a reminder that we should not only aspire to make a living, but we should also aspire to make a difference. By making a difference, you leave a lasting legacy that will continue long after we are gone.

These are all of the lessons that Denzel Washington shared in his speech; take them to heart and use them as motivation to achieve your goals and make a difference in the world.

Did any of them resonate with you? Which one was your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

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Denzel Washington: Put God First Speech (Full Transcript)

• January 22, 2019 11:16 am October 7, 2023 4:29 am
• by Pangambam S
• Inspiration
• Pinterest 6

Denzel Washington is an American actor, director, and producer. He has received three Golden Globe awards, one Tony Award, and two Academy Awards.

Below is the full text ( Edited version ) and summary of Washington’s famous and inspiring speech titled “ PUT GOD FIRST”   delivered during a commencement address at Dillard University in 2015. This transcript has been edited for near 100% accuracy for those who are learning English with such speeches.

NOTABLE QUOTE FROM THIS SPEECH:

“Put God first in everything you do. Everything that you think you see in me. Everything that I’ve accomplished, everything that you think I have – and I have a few things. Everything that I have is by the grace of God. Understand that. It’s a gift.”  

TRANSCRIPT: 

Let me take this moment to wholeheartedly congratulate each and every one of you, today. You graduated. You did it. You made it. Congratulation to you. And you did it all by yourself, nobody helped you.

No…that’s not – that’s what you know – that’s what I thought when I was young, I started to really make it as an actor. I came in, I talked to my mother, I said ‘Ma, did you think that this was going to happen, I’d be so big and I’ll be able to take care of everybody and I can do this and I can do that.’

And she said, ‘Boy, stop it right there. Stop it right there. Stop it right there’.

She said, “If you only knew, how many people they have been praying for you. How many prayer groups she put together, how many prayer clothes she gave me, how many times she splashed me with holy water to save my sorry behind,” as she said it.

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10 Best Directors Denzel Washington Worked With

Fences ending explained: the true meaning of that shocking time jump & death, everyone’s been saying denzel washington’s name wrong.

• Denzel Washington's powerful speeches on and off-screen have made a lasting impact on audiences, showcasing his eloquence and deep understanding of human experiences.
• Through his memorable quotes, Washington's characters in films like American Gangster and Remember the Titans highlight important themes like the contrast between understated power and flashy ostentation, as well as the importance of unity and teamwork.
• Washington's ability to motivate and inspire shines through in films like The Hurricane and Antwone Fisher, where he delivers powerful messages about finding opportunities in adversity and the importance of forgiveness.

Denzel Washington is celebrated for his acting prowess, his amiable and genuine personality, and his remarkable skill in delivering powerful speeches. His professional theater training undoubtedly has a big part in his ability to deliver remarkable monologues in his films. This talent has provided audiences with years of films chock-full of amazing quotes. Washington has the ability to dive into the emotional depths of their characters, making his speeches emotionally resonant and impactful. Some of his best quotes are often full of authenticity, and they have become iconic pieces of his career, leaving a lasting impact on audiences and ensuring that his characters' words resonate long after the credits roll.

Denzel Washington's ability to deliver powerful speeches is not limited to the screen, but extends to real-life moments as well. He is known for his inspiring speeches off-screen, whether at awards ceremonies, commencement addresses, or during interviews. His sincerity shines through as he discusses social issues to the power of perseverance. These speeches not only showcase his eloquence, but also his deep understanding of human experiences, which translates well into every role. Denzel Washington's words serve as a source of motivation and reflection for many. Hopefully, Denzel Washington will continue to provide audiences with many more quotes and speeches for years to come, both in the world of cinema and beyond.

10 “The Loudest One In The Room Is The Weakest One In The Room."

American gangster (2007).

In the epic crime movie A merican Gangster, Denzel Washington's character, Frank Lucas, delivers this quote during a scene where he and his brother, Huey, are at a tailor's shop trying on suits. Frank reminds Huey of the importance of discretion in their line of work, emphasizing that those who draw attention to themselves are often the most vulnerable. Frank is known for his calculated and methodical approach when i comes running a drug empire, and this quote serves as a reflection of his strategic mindset, highlighting an important theme — the contrast between understated power and flashy ostentation in the criminal world.

9 “We Declare Our Right On This Earth To Be A Man."

Malcolm x (1992).

The Spike Lee Joint Malcolm X displays one of Washington’s most iconic speeches. He was able to effortlessly embody the civil rights activist undoubtedly when delivering this powerful quote. In this speech, Malcolm X expresses his vision for civil and human rights among marginalized groups in America. His desire “t o be respected as a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day” is one of the most powerful scenes in the film. Throughout his life, Malcolm X was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement and a strong advocate for Black empowerment. This speech captures that essence and Washington gives his all when delivering it.

10 Best Performances In Spike Lee Movies, Ranked

Spike Lee has directed tons of great performances, with some of them even nominated for Academy Awards, and the best of these span his entire career.

8 "I Don't Care If You Like Each Other Or Not, But You Will Respect Each Other."

Remember the titans (2000).

Ranked as one of Denzel Washington’s best movies , Remember the Titans is a film that reminds audiences that there is no place for hate, especially on the field. Washington’s character, Coach Herman Boone, delivers this powerful speech to his football team. After taking them to the site of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War, he conveys the importance of unity and teamwork. Making a connection to the historical tragedy and the racial tensions among the team, Boone urges them to put their differences aside and come together. The speech serves as a turning point in the film, inspiring the players and ultimately leading to their success.

7 “He Who Bemoans The Lack Of Opportunity, Forgets That Small Doors Many Times Open Up Into Large Rooms.”

The hurricane (1999).

Denzel Washington has the power to motivate audiences with his commanding presence and ability to transform into powerful characters. This is evident in the film The Hurricane , where he plays Rubin Carter, a boxer who is wrongfully convicted of murder. While in prison, Carter becomes an advocate for the rights of the wrongfully accused. He uses his time behind bars to educate himself and to fight for his own exoneration, as well as the exoneration of others. This quote reflects his determination to find opportunities, even in the most challenging of circumstances. It delivers the powerful message that, even when faced with adversity, one should never lose hope.

From Spike Lee to Tony Scott to one half of the Coen brothers, Denzel Washington has worked with plenty of iconic filmmakers.

6 "Webster's Definition Of Forgiveness."

Antwone fisher (2002).

With forgiveness being a central theme in the film Antwone Fisher , the titular character, played by Derek Luke, embarks on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Washington’s character, Dr. Jerome Davenport, is a psychiatrist who helps Antwone overcome his struggles of deep-seated anger and pain due to his difficult upbringing and past traumatic experiences. Dr. Davenport introduces the concept of forgiveness to Antwone, using the definition from Webster's dictionary to explain it in simple terms: “ regard without ill-will despite an offense .” The idea is to encourage Antwone to let go of his anger and resentment, and to learn to regard others without holding onto ill will, despite any wrongdoings.

5 “Don't You Go Through Life Worrying About Whether Somebody Likes You Or Not!”

Fences (2016).

Denzel Washington's strong theater background shines through in the film adaptation of August Wilson's play, Fences. Washington stars as Troy Maxson, a father in the 1950s, trying his best to provide for his family while fighting his own demons. This quote comes after Troy’s son, Cory (Jovan Adepo), asks why his father doesn’t like him. Troy, who grew up in a time of severe discrimination and limited opportunities, believes he is being responsible towards his son. He tells Cory that his primary duty is to provide, not " like " him. While Cory expresses that he needs compassion from his father, Troy is unable to provide this, as his upbringing has hardened him.

Fences is the critically acclaimed 2016 adaptation of the classic play, and here is the film's ending explained as well as what it all means.

4 “Man Ain't Spelled G-U-N, Son."

The equalizer 2 (2018).

The Equalizer franchise , where Washington plays the role of Robert McCall, is the story of a former black-ops operative who becomes a vigilante. In this powerful scene, McCall is talking to Miles, a young man who is at risk of getting involved in a life of crime and violence. McCall is trying to guide Miles away from that path and help him realize that he has choices in life. He drives home the point that one's upbringing shouldn't be an excuse for making poor decisions. When McCall says, “Y ou got a chance. Use it while you're still alive ,” he inspires Miles to make a choice that leads to better things.

3 "Always Listen To Your Mother."

John q (2002).

Washington’s intense portrayal of John Q , a determined father on a mission to save his son’s life, is one that gave audiences this heartbreaking speech. In the film, John is having a touching conversation with his young son, Michael (Daniel E. Smith), who is in need of a heart transplant, and the family's insurance won't cover the procedure. Faced with desperation and a healthcare system that seems to leave them with no options, John Q imparts these words of wisdom and guidance to his son, as he prepares to end his own life in order to give Michael his own heart.

In a viral tweet, acclaimed actor Denzel Washington said the correct pronunciation of his first name, shocking audiences after all these years.

2 "Forgiveness Is Between Them And God. It's My Job To Arrange The Meeting."

Man on fire (2004).

In Man on Fire , Denzel Washington plays John Creasy, a former CIA agent who becomes a bodyguard for Pita, played by Dakota Fanning. After Pita is kidnapped, Creasy begins on a relentless mission to find her and make those responsible pay for their crimes. This on the nose quote, leaves no room for doubt in Creasy’s intentions. He sees himself as an instrument for justice and retribution, believing that forgiveness is not up to him. His only responsibility is to make sure that those responsible meet their fate.

1 “King Kong Ain’t Got S**t On Me.”

Training day (2001).

In a role that awarded Washington with an Academy Award for Best Actor, his portrayal of Alonzo Harris in film Training Day delivers one of the most iconic quotes of his career. Alonzo Harris is a narcotics detective who has a reputation for being ruthless and corrupt. He believes he is above the law and untouchable in his criminal activities. His arrogance in this quote is felt greatly, but the metaphor is lost on him, considering that King Kong was eventually confronted, leading to his tragic ending on top of the Empire State Building. Denzel Washington , however, proves he is the king of speeches.

• Denzel Washington

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Denzel Washington gives an inspiring speech on how each and every one of us has a different gift and we have to use them to reach our goals.

Transcript:

You never see a U-Haul behind a hearse. So, it's not how much you have, it's what you do with what you have. And we all have different gifts. Some money, some love, some patience, some ability to touch people. But we all have it. Use it. Share it. That's what counts. Understand this also, you have these dreams and as Kenny said, "Dreams without goals "remain dreams, just dreams, "and, ultimately fuel disappointment." Dreams without goals, yearly goals, life goals, daily goals, monthly goals, hourly goals, minute-by-minute goals. Dreams without goals are just dreams. And they ultimately fuel disappointment. Goals on the road to achievement cannot be achieved without discipline and consistency. And we all have that unique gift to go out and touch people, to affect people. Understand that gift, protect that gift, appreciate that gift, utilize that gift. Don't abuse that gift, treasure it. You have it, you already have it." - Denzel Washington

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Fail BIG. That’s Right. Fail Big. Prepare To Be Inspired – Denzel Washington

During a commencement speech at Dillard University , Denzel Washington recalled how a random woman’s comment in 1975, inspired his success.

Denzel Washington was flunking out of college, with no idea what he was going to do with his life. When one day while sitting in his mother’s beauty parlor, a random lady in the salon sitting under a hair dryer cried out for a pen, because a prophecy, a vision for the future had overcome her.

She told Denzel, “ Boy, you are going to travel the world and speak to millions of people. ” Denzel was perplexed, he was flunking out of college and his life was directionless.

No one in the salon that day believed that Denzel would go on to become one of the most recognisable faces in the world.

It wasn’t all plain sailing for Denzel Washington, along the way he learned that if you aren’t prepared to dream big and fail big you will never achieve your version of success.

Don’t Be Afraid to Fail Big, To Dream Big – Denzel Washington

Full Transcript | Speaker: Denzel Washington

I was flunking out of college, I had a 1.7 grade point average, I hope non of you can relate.

I had a 1.7 grade point average, I was sitting in my mother’s beauty shop, they still call it beauty shop now?

What they call it now? Yeah, I was sitting in the beauty parlor. I was sitting in my mother’s beauty parlor and I’m looking in the mirror, and I see behind me this woman under the dryer and every time she looked up, every time I looked up, she was looking at me, just looking me in the eye.

I didn’t know who she was, she said “Somebody get me a pen, get me a pencil, I have a prophecy.”

March 27, 1975, she said. “Boy, you are going to travel the world and speak to millions of people.” Now mind you, I was flunked out of college, I’m thinking about going the army, I didn’t know what I was going to do and she’s telling me I’m going to travel the world and speak to millions of people.

Well, I have travelled the world and I have spoke to millions of people.

That’s not the most important thing, the success that I had, the most important thing is that, what she taught me, and what she told me that day has stayed with me since.

I’ve been protected, I’ve been directed, I’ve been corrected.

Fail BIG. That’s right. Fail big.

You only live once, so do what you feel passionate about, take chances, professionally don’t be afraid to fail.

There’s an old IQ test that was nine dots and you had to draw five lines with a pencil within these nine dots without lifting the pencil. The only way to do it, was to go outside the box.

So don’t be afraid to go outside the box. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.

Don’t be afraid to fail big, to dream big. But remember, dreams, without goals are just dreams.

They ultimately fuel disappointment. So have dreams, but have goals, life goals, yearly goals, monthly goals, daily goals.

I try to give myself a goal every day. Understand that to achieve these goals you must apply discipline and consistency. You have to work at it every day. You have to plan every day. You’ve heard the saying “We don’t plan to fail, we fail to plan.”

Hard work works. Working really hard is what successful people do. In this text, tweet, twerk world that you’ve grown up in, remember just because you’re doing a lot more doesn’t mean you’re getting a lot more done. Remember just because you’re doing a lot more doesn’t mean you’re getting a lot more done. Don’t confuse movement with progress. My mother told me, she said “Yeah because you can  run in place all the time and never get anywhere.”

Continue to strive, continue to have goals, continue to progress and anything you want good, you can have. Claim it, work hard to get it, when you get it reach back, pull someone else up. Each one teach one.

Don’t just aspire to make a living. Aspire to make a difference.

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The 10 Best Denzel Washington Movies, Ranked

Denzel Washington's career has spanned decades and these are his best movies.

Denzel Washington is one of the defining leading men of the last three decades, having turned in towering performances on both stage and screen. He first came to attention on the NBC hospital drama St. Elsewhere in the '80s, before gaining critical acclaim for roles in Glory and Cry Freedom . Stardom followed from the '90s onward, including a string of blockbuster action movies. At age 69, he's still an action hero, with 2023's The Equalizer 3 raking in big box office returns.

Washington has impressively avoided being typecast and continues to appear in a diversity of projects. He clearly has a knack for choosing the right projects , and turning down those that aren't a good fit. "My career is based on saying no," he has said . With at least 60 movies under his belt and ten Oscar nominations to his name, Washington is a true Hollywood juggernaut. Here are his ten best movies, ranked.

10 'Cry Freedom' (1987)

Director: richard attenborough.

"You can beat or jail me or even kill me, but I am not going to be what you want me to be!" Cry Freedom is a character study of South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko (Washington) and his friend, journalist Donald Woods ( Kevin Kline ). Although initially skeptical of one another, the two men form a close bond. After Biko is killed by government security forces, Woods sets out to expose the truth. Consequently, Biko's death drew global attention, turning him into a resistance icon.

This was an early role that pushed Washington outside his comfort zone and showed what he was capable of. Here, he faces the challenge of putting on a foreign accent and embodying a person from a very different culture. He more than rises to the occasion, as does Kline. Their performances are clear highlights. The film itself is a real epic, dragging at times but telling a vital story, especially for the time it was released.

Rent on Amazon

9 'The Equalizer' (2014)

Directed by antoine fuqua.

"I don't have a lot of time. Which means you don't have any." Reinventing the 1980s TV series, The Equalizer centers on Robert McCall (Washington), a former black ops agent now leading a quiet life. However, when he witnesses the brutal beating of a sex worker named Teri ( Chloë Grace Moretz ) at the hands of Russian gangsters, McCall's sense of justice is reignited. Dusting off his formidable skills, he resolves to confront the criminals, drawing the ire of the entire mob in the process.

In many ways, The Equalizer is simply a generic action flick, with two-dimensional villains and a mostly-predictable plot. What sets it apart is Washington's charisma . The script doesn't give him all that much to work with, but he succeeds in making McCall feel real and compelling . In particular, he imbues the character with intelligence, courage, and flinty determination. No surprise then that The Equalizer resonated with audiences: it grossed a whopping $192m and spawned two sequels in quick succession.

The Equalizer

Watch on Netflix

8 'Remember the Titans' (2000)

Directed by boaz yakin.

"If you survive camp, you will be on the team. If you survive." Alexandria, Virginia, 1971: coach Herman Boone (Washington) is appointed as the head coach of the newly integrated T.C. Williams High School football team, much to the dismay of the white former head coach Bill Yoast ( Will Patton ). As tensions run high in the community, Coach Boone faces the daunting task of forging his players into a cohesive team.

The character of Boone is a good fit for Washington . The scenes of him putting the players through the ringer of his intense training are especially memorable. As Entertainment Weekly memorably quipped : "He gets to play Martin Luther King Jr. and Vince Lombardi rolled into one." Overall, Remember the Titans mostly sticks to feel-good sports movie formulas, but it benefits from being based on a true story and featuring several great performances and many terrific lines. The result is a heartwarming tale that will likely continue to delight viewers for many years to come. Though flawed, it ranks among the finest football films ever made .

Remember The Titans

Watch on Disney+

7 'Inside Man' (2006)

Directed by spike lee.

"When there's blood on the streets, somebody's gotta go to jail." Master thief Dalton Russell ( Clive Owen ) leads a team of skilled criminals in executing a seemingly flawless heist at a Manhattan bank. However, things take an unexpected turn when Detective Keith Frazier (Washington), is called in to negotiate with Russell and resolve the tense standoff. As Frazier delves deeper into the situation, he realizes that there is more to the robbery than meets the eye.

Inside Man was the fourth collaboration between Washington and Spike Lee and their most commercially successful, becoming the director's highest-grossing movie. The film's appeal is obvious. It's a smart genre movie that serves up a steady stream of thrills alongside implicit social commentary . It's also stylish. Lee gets a little experimental at times, most notably with a scene that's intercut with shots from a child's uber-violent video game. As always, much rides on Washington. Intriguingly, he has said that he took inspiration for Frazier from his Broadway performance of Julius Caesar . "I kind of thought of Frazier as Brutus goes to Brooklyn," he explains .

6 'Philadelphia' (1993)

Directed by jonathan demme.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury: forget everything you've seen on television and in the movies." Andrew Beckett ( Tom Hanks ), a successful lawyer, is unjustly fired from his prestigious law firm after his employers discover he is gay and has AIDS. Determined to seek justice, Andrew hires Joe Miller (Washington), a reluctant and initially close-minded attorney, to represent him in a wrongful termination lawsuit.

Hanks won his first Oscar for the role, but Washington's performance is also worthy of praise . He turns what could have been a stock character into a surprisingly layered figure. Miller grapples with his own struggles and changes considerably over the course of the film. He shines, especially, when Jonathan Demme shoots him in intimate close-up, conveying so much with just subtle expressions. At times, Philadelphia may seem a little heavy-handed, particularly when watching it now. But the film is undeniably warmhearted, and it was ahead of its time in engaging with this subject matter.

Philadelphia

5 'man on fire' (2004), directed by tony scott.

"It's off to the next life for you. I guarantee you, you won't be lonely." Washington once more embodies the spirit of righteous vengeance in this incendiary action thriller. He plays John Creasy, a former CIA operative who becomes a bodyguard for the young Lupita Ramos ( Dakota Fanning ). Initially distant and disillusioned, Creasy forms a surprisingly strong bond with the girl. When she is kidnapped, Creasey sets out to raise hell.

Man on Fire is gritty exploitation cinema with a big budget. The violence is hard-hitting, amplified by dynamic editing and unconventional camerawork . Washington and director Tony Scott worked together five times, resulting in gems like Crimson Tide and Unstoppable , but this is their best project. Indeed, Quentin Tarantino declared the pair to be "one of the best actor-director combinations of our time". Scott, in particular, clearly had a soft spot for the source material, as he had been trying to direct the movie since the early '80s.

Man on Fire

Watch on Max

4 'Malcolm X' (1992)

"We didn't land on Plymouth Rock. Plymouth Rock landed on us!" Once again, Washington takes on the role of a civil rights leader, this time playing Nation of Islam spokesman Malcolm X . The film charts his entire life, from his troubled youth to his rise to prominence as a firebrand fighter for justice. It's a truly sweeping biopic, spanning the 1930s to the '60s, and clocking in at some three hours and twenty minutes.

Washington's performance here is arguably the high point of his career . Malcolm X was an influential and controversial figure, more of a symbol than a real person in the eyes of many. Playing such a role well is no easy feat. But Washington succeeds in humanizing this legendary activist, leaning into all his complexity and contradiction. The film remains a great entry point for anyone curious to learn more about Malcolm X's life. Interesting bit of trivia: Malcolm X is the sole acting credit of Nelson Mandela , who has a cameo at the end as a Soweto school teacher.

Malcolm X (1992)

Watch on Prime

3 'Glory' (1989)

Directed by edward zwick.

"I ran away when I was 12 years old and I ain't never looked back." This historical drama tells the true story of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, one of the first all-Black regiments in the Union Army during the Civil War. They display unwavering courage, despite facing danger from the enemy and prejudice from many of their brothers-in-arms.

Washington won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Private Trip, a young officer who looks out for his regiment. He gets many of the film's most stirring moments, like the climactic scene where he finally raises the American flag. The end product is a unique and moving Civil War film that engages with a thicket of thorny questions . Most of all, it's fascinating watching the Black soldiers wrestle with their allegiance to a country that does not yet treat them as equals. The entire conflict takes on a different light when seen through their eyes.

Glory (1989)

Watch on Amazon

2 'American Gangster' (2007)

Directed by ridley scott.

"The loudest one in the room is the weakest one in the room." Ridley Scott 's gritty crime drama revolves around Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas (Washington) and Richie Roberts ( Russell Crowe ), the detective determined to bring him down. It's a premise that's been done many times before, but American Gangster stands out thanks to a more sophisticated, character-driven screenplay by Steven Zaillian .

Scott builds on the script's solid foundation costume and production design, as well as an energetic soundtrack featuring 1970s R&B soul classics. On the acting side, Washington clearly enjoys this corrupted character, exuding confidence and menace in equal measure . He prepared for the role by meeting with the real Lucas and extensively practicing his Southern accent. He's so charismatic in the part that some critics accused the film of glorifying and romanticizing the criminal. Regardless of where one stands on that issue, there's no denying Washington's electrifying performance. He makes Lucas a memorable crime boss on the level of Tony Montana or Tony Soprano.

American Gangster

1 'training day' (2001).

"To protect the sheep, you gotta catch the wolf, and it takes a wolf to catch a wolf." Training Day follows rookie cop Jake Hoyt ( Ethan Hawke ), as he embarks on his first day under the tutelage of seasoned narcotics officer Alonzo Harris (Washington). What begins as an opportunity for Jake to prove himself quickly turns into a harrowing journey of corruption and moral ambiguity. Alonzo's unorthodox methods push Jake to his limits as they navigate the dangerous streets of South Central LA.

Washington is at his most intense and kinetic here, firing on all cylinders. Harris is the darkest character in his filmography, willing to commit evil acts in pursuit of criminals. Washington is known for playing heroes and decent men, but here he brilliantly subverts this image, akin to what Heath Ledger did in The Dark Knight . It makes for a fascinating contrast and a great demonstration of his range. As a result, the role won him the Best Actor Oscar.

Training Day

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Drake, kendrick lamar to compete at bet awards; nicki minaj, sza, j. cole earn multiple nominations.

The feuding rappers are both nominated for best male hip-hop artist and best collaboration at the June 30 awards show.

By Mesfin Fekadu

Mesfin Fekadu

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The Drake – Kendrick Lamar showdown will continue — at the 2024 BET Awards .

The rappers will compete in two categories at the June 30 show: best male hip-hop artist and best collaboration. In the latter category, Drake is nominated for “Rich Baby Daddy” with SZA and Sexyy Red, while Lamar is nominated for his guest verse on the remix of Beyoncé ’s “America Has a Problem.”

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Nicki Minaj follows Drake with six nominations, including bids for video of the year for “Barbie World” with Ice Spice and Aqua, album of the year for Pink Friday 2 and best female hip-hop artist.

For video of the year, Minaj and Drake will take on Lil Durk and J. Cole’s “All My Life,” Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “Bongos,” Victoria Monét’s “On My Mama,” Usher, Summer Walker and 21 Savage’s “Good Good” and Doja Cat’s “Agora Hills.” 

For album of the year, those nominated alongside Drake and Minaj’s projects are: Monét’s Jaguar II , Chris Brown’s 11:11 , Usher’s Coming Home , Killer Mike’s Michael , 21 Savage’s American Dream and Gunna’s A Gift & A Curse .

SZA, J. Cole, Sexyy Red and Monét earned five nominations apiece. Acts who scored four nominations are Beyoncé, Usher, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, 21 Savage and Tyla.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s 12-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy Carter — who has won a Grammy, NAACP Image Award and Soul Train Music Award — is nominated for the YoungStars Award, which honors child and teen entertainers. Other nominees are Akira Akbar, Demi Singleton, Heiress Diana Harris, Jabria Mccullum, Jalyn Hall, Leah Jeffries and Van Van.

A complete list of this year’s BET Awards nominees follows.

Album of the year

Chris Brown, 11:11 Gunna, A Gift & A Curse 21 Savage, American Dream Usher, Coming Home Drake, For All the Dogs (Scary Hours Edition) Victoria Monét, Jaguar II Killer Mike, Michael Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday 2

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

Beyoncé Coco Jones Doja Cat H.E.R. Muni Long SZA Tyla Victoria Monét

Best male R&B/pop artist

Brent Faiyaz Bryson Tiller Burna Boy Chris Brown Drake Fridayy October London Usher

¥$, Ye, Ty Dolla $ign 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne 41 Blxst & Bino Rideaux City Girls Flo Maverick City Music Wanmor

Best collaboration

Lil Durk feat. J. Cole, “All My Life” Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar, “America Has a Problem (Remix)” Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (With Aqua), “Barbie World” Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion, “Bongos” ¥$, Ye, Ty Dolla $ign feat. Rich The Kid, Playboi Carti, “Carnival” Lola Brooke feat. Latto & Yung Miami, “Don’t Play With It (Remix)” Nicki Minaj feat. Lil Uzi Vert, “Everybody” Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage, “Good Good” Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Rich Baby Daddy”

Best female hip-hop artist

Cardi B Doja Cat GloRilla Ice Spice Latto Megan Thee Stallion Nicki Minaj Sexyy Red

Best male hip-hop artist

21 Savage Burna Boy Drake Future Gunna J. Cole Kendrick Lamar Lil Wayne

Best new artist

41 4Batz Ayra Starr Bossman Dlow Fridayy October London Sexyy Red Tyla

Video of the year

Video director of the year.

Benny Boom Child. Cole Bennett Dave Meyers Janelle Monáe & Alan Ferguson Offset Tems Tyler, The Creator

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award

Shirley Caesar, “Award All of the Glory” Kirk Franklin, “All Things” Halle Bailey, “Angel” CeCe Winans, “Come Jesus Come” Erica Campbell, Do You Believe in Love?” Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore, “God Problems” Tems, “Me & U” Kirk Franklin, “Try Love”

Viewer’s choice award

Doja Cat, “Agora Hills” Lil Durk feat. J. Cole, “All My Life” Gunna, “Fukumean” Jack Harlow, “Lovin on Me” Muni Long, “Made for Me” Victoria Monét, “On My Mama” Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Rich Baby Daddy” Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay, “Sensational” Beyoncé, “Texas Hold ‘Em” Tyla, “Water”

Best international act

Asake (Africa) Aya Nakamura (France) Ayra Starr (Africa) Bk’ (Brazil) Cleo Sol (UK) Focalistic (Africa) Karol Conká (Brazil) Raye (UK) Tiakola (France) Tyla (Africa)

Viewer’s choice: best new international act

Bellah (UK) Cristale (UK) Duquesa (Brazil) Holly G (France) Jungeli (France) Makhadzi (Africa) Oruam (Brazil) Seyi Vibez (Africa) Tyler Icu (Africa)

American Fiction Bob Marley: One Love Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse The Book of Clarence The Color Purple The Equalizer 3 The Little Mermaid

Anthony Mackie Colman Domingo Damson Idris Denzel Washington Donald Glover Idris Elba Jeffrey Wright Lakeith Stanfield

Best actress

Angela Bassett Ayo Edebiri Coco Jones Danielle Brooks Fantasia Halle Bailey Issa Rae Regina King

YoungStars Award

Akira Akbar Blue Ivy Carter Demi Singleton Heiress Diana Harris Jabria McCullum Jalyn Hall Leah Jeffries Van Van

Sportswoman of the Year Award

A’ja Wilson Angel Reese Coco Gauff Flau’jae Johnson Juju Watkins Naomi Osaka Sha’carri Richardson Simone Biles

Sportsman of the Year Award

Anthony Edwards Gervonta Davis Jalen Brunson Jalen Hurts Kyrie Irving Lebron James Patrick Mahomes Stephen Curry

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Drake Leads 2024 BET Awards With Seven Nominations

By Daniel Kreps

Daniel Kreps

Drake may be losing his rap battle with Kendrick Lamar, but he is leading the field at the 2024 BET Awards with seven nominations.

The rapper is up for Album of the Year for For All the Dogs (Scary Hours Edition) , as well as nods for Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, the Viewers Choice Award, and the Video of the Year for his “First Person Shooter” featuring J. Cole.

Drake and Lamar will face off in two categories: Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, as well as Best Collaboration, as Drake’s “Rich Baby Daddy” featuring Sexyy Red and SZA is up against Beyoncé and Lamar’s “America Has a Problem (Remix).”

Nicki Minaj secured six nominations at the 2024 BET Awards — including Album of the Year for Pink Friday 2 — while J. Cole, Sexyy Red, SZA, and Victoria Monét each landed five. Beyoncé, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Usher, and Tyla each landed four nods at the award show.

Check out the full list of nominees below:

Album of the Year Chris Brown,  11:11 Gunna,  A Gift & A Curse 21 Savage,  American Dream Usher,  Coming Home Drake,  For All the Dogs (Scary Hours Edition) Victoria Monét,  Jaguar II                                                                      Killer Mike,  Michael Nicki Minaj,  Pink Friday 2

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist Beyoncé Coco Jones Doja Cat H.E.R. Muni Long SZA Tyla Victoria Monét

Editor’s picks

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Best Group ¥$, Ye, Ty Dolla $ign 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne 41 Blxst & Bino Rideaux City Girls Flo Maverick City Music Wanmor

Best Collaboration Lil Durk feat. J. Cole, “All My Life” Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar, “America Has a Problem (Remix)” Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (With Aqua), “Barbie World” Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion, “Bongos”  ¥$, Ye, Ty Dolla $ign feat. Rich The Kid, Playboi Carti, “Carnival” Lola Brooke feat. Latto & Yung Miami, “Don’t Play With It (Remix)” Nicki Minaj feat. Lil Uzi Vert, “Everybody” Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage, “Good Good” Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Rich Baby Daddy”

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist     Cardi B Doja Cat GloRilla Ice Spice Latto Megan Thee Stallion Nicki Minaj Sexyy Red

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist 21 Savage Burna Boy Drake Future Gunna J. Cole Kendrick Lamar Lil Wayne

Best New Artist 41 4Batz Ayra Starr Bossman Dlow Fridayy October London Sexyy Red Tyla

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Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award Shirley Caesar, “Award All of the Glory” Kirk Franklin, “All Things” Halle Bailey, “Angel” CeCe Winans, “Come Jesus Come” Erica Campbell, Do You Believe in Love?” Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore, “God Problems” Tems, “Me & U” Kirk Franklin, “Try Love”

Best International Act Asake (Africa) Aya Nakamura (France) Ayra Starr (Africa) Bk’ (Brazil) Cleo Sol (UK) Focalistic (Africa) Karol Conká (Brazil) Raye (UK) Tiakola (France) Tyla (Africa)

Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act Bellah (UK) Cristale (UK) Duquesa (Brazil) Holly G (France) Jungeli (France) Makhadzi (Africa) Oruam (Brazil) Seyi Vibez (Africa) Tyler Icu (Africa)

BET Her Beyoncé, “16 Carriages” Nicki Minaj feat. Tasha Cobbs Leonard, “Blessings” Ayra Starr, “Commas” Flo feat. Missy Elliott, “Fly Girl” Megan Thee Stallion, “Hiss” Victoria Monét, “On My Mama” SZA, “Saturn” GloRilla, “Yeah Glo!”

Best Movie American Fiction Bob Marley: One Love Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse The Book of Clarence The Color Purple The Equalizer 3 The Little Mermaid

Best Actor Anthony Mackie Colman Domingo Damson Idris Denzel Washington Donald Glover Idris Elba Jeffrey Wright Lakeith Stanfield

Best Actress Angela Bassett Ayo Edebiri Coco Jones Danielle Brooks Fantasia Halle Bailey Issa Rae Regina King

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Sportsman of the Year Award Anthony Edwards Gervonta Davis Jalen Brunson Jalen Hurts Kyrie Irving Lebron James Patrick Mahomes Stephen Curry

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