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Denzel Washington, born on December 28, 1954, entered the world in Mount Vernon, New York, where he was raised with the values of a devout Christian upbringing. Much of this spiritual foundation came from his father, a Reverend and Pentecostal Minister, while his mother, a beautician, balanced her roles as a strong supporter of her husband and the church.
In his formative years, Denzel Washington spent a significant amount of time in the church, deeply respecting his father’s sermons and aspiring to make him proud. However, as he matured, like many teenagers and young adults, his faith began to waver, and doubts started to creep in. He found himself spending less time in church and more time with what he considered “negative” influences in his town.
At the age of fourteen, Washington’s parents divorced, adding to an already challenging situation. Troublesome behavior, fights, and declining school performance became part of his life. In response, his mother made the pivotal decision to enroll him in the Oakland Military Academy.
It was during his time at the academy that Washington’s faith in God was rekindled. Upon returning home, a woman delivered a message to him, saying, “You are going to preach,” a statement he interpreted as a prophetic calling. Consequently, he enrolled at Fordham University, initially studying medicine while also participating in the university’s basketball team.
However, medicine failed to ignite Washington’s passion, prompting him to take a semester off to search for his true calling. It was during this hiatus that he discovered acting, a pursuit that resonated deeply with him.
Upon his return to Fordham, he changed his major to Arts in Journalism. He later ventured into Hollywood, appearing in blockbuster movies such as “Carbon Copy,” “Crimson Tide,” “Glory,” and “The Hurricane.” His role in “Training Day” secured his legacy as one of the finest actors of his generation, earning him the Best Actor Academy Award. Throughout his journey, Washington maintained a steadfast belief in God.
He once stated, “There’s never been a time where God didn’t direct, protect, and correct me… There may have been times where I was less than faithful to Him, but He had faith in me.”
His strong faith extended to his marriage with Pauletta Pearson, which, like any other, faced its share of challenges. However, their commitment to each other endured.
“I think that you have to really work at it. You should not give up on each other,” he said. “It’s a commitment. It’s not all honeymoon. It doesn’t last forever.”
Despite his success, Denzel Washington continued to place God at the center of his life, recognizing that when you pray for rain, you must also deal with the mud. His unshakable faith and dedication to reading the Bible played pivotal roles in his Hollywood success spanning decades.
