Denzel Washington is 71 years old as of October 2026. He was born on 28 December 1954.
powerful dramatic performances spanning four decades, from civil rights biopics to crime thrillers, and for anchoring prestige films with moral complexity
Quick facts
Date of birth28 December 1954
Age71
NationalityAmerican
BirthplaceMount Vernon, United States
Editor's Take:
Washington built his career on roles exploring moral ambiguity and social justice. His performances anchor films where conscience battles circumstance, from apartheid activism in **1987** to police corruption in **2001**. The stage remained central throughout: he won the Tony for August Wilson's exploration of deferred dreams in **2010** and returned to Shakespeare repeatedly. By **2020**, critical consensus confirmed his dominance across screen and theatre. His films have earned over **$5.1 billion** worldwide, yet he maintained serious dramatic credibility through carefully chosen projects that interrogate race, power, and redemption in American life.
Key Milestones
1982: Joined cast of medical drama St. Elsewhere
1989: Won Oscar for Civil War drama Glory
2001: Best Actor Oscar for Training Day
2016: Directed and starred in film adaptation Fences
Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. (born December 28, 1954) is an American actor and film producer.
