“I wasn’t a gangster. I ran with them, but I wasn’t one of them,” Denzel Washington shared in a candid interview with *Esquire*, reflecting on his upbringing in Mount Vernon, New York. As one of Hollywood’s most influential figures, with over 50 films, two Academy Awards, and a career spanning more than four decades, Washington revisited the pivotal moments that shaped his journey—from a tough childhood to cementing his legacy in cinema.
A Different Road
Born into an environment where violence and crime were everyday realities, Washington witnessed many of his childhood friends take dangerous paths—some ending up behind bars or worse. “I had one foot in the streets, but I wasn’t a killer,” he admitted.
One of his closest friends, Frank, spent 40 years in prison. Seeing him again after so many years left Washington shaken. “Look at those hands,” he said, referring to the toll of decades spent behind bars. “That’s what prison food does to you.”
But Washington’s story took a different turn. While many around him got caught up in crime, he found solace in music and hard work. His mother, a beauty salon owner, bought him an organ, which led him to join a neighborhood band. “We’d gather in an attic and spend hours trying to play James Brown songs,” he recalled.
A Chance Encounter with Acting
Although he had dabbled in theater during his teenage years, it wasn’t until he attended Fordham University that he discovered his true passion. “I enrolled, failed, re-enrolled… and that’s where it all began,” he confessed.
His talent led him to the stage, where he starred in plays that would later define his career—most notably, *A Soldier’s Play*, which opened the door to Hollywood with its film adaptation, *A Soldier’s Story*.
Triumphs and Setbacks at the Oscars
Washington’s breakthrough came with *Glory* (1989), earning him his first Oscar. From there, his career soared with powerful and complex roles.
However, not all moments were celebratory. In 2000, his widely praised performance in *The Hurricane* was expected to win him another Academy Award, but the honor went to Kevin Spacey for *American Beauty*. “I remember turning to look at him—no one else was standing except those around him. But I felt like the whole room was watching me,” he recalled.
That loss left a deeper emotional impact than he anticipated. For years, he distanced himself from the Oscars, unknowingly carrying a sense of bitterness. “I had become resentful and didn’t even realize it,” he admitted.
The Battle with Alcohol and the Road to Sobriety
Amid the pressures of Hollywood, Washington developed a quiet dependence on alcohol. “Wine is subtle. It doesn’t hit you all at once—it builds up over time,” he explained.
His love for fine wine led him to build a 10,000-bottle wine cellar in 1999. “I learned to drink the best,” he said. But what started as enjoyment became a habit. He would regularly order two bottles at a time from his supplier on Sunset Boulevard. “If I ordered more, I knew I would drink more,” he admitted.
The turning point came in 2014. After 15 years of following the same pattern, he decided to quit. “This past December, I marked ten years without a drop,” he proudly stated. Sobriety not only improved his health but also helped him refocus. “I did a lot of damage to my body. Now, all I want is to be strong,” he emphasized.
Faith as His Foundation
While religion was always present in his life, it wasn’t until adulthood that Washington experienced a true spiritual awakening. That moment came at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles. One day, he walked to the altar and fully surrendered to his faith.
“They took me to a back room and started praying over me. I felt like I was floating, like something was moving inside me,” he recalled.
That experience transformed his perspective on life. His career, decisions, and purpose became deeply rooted in his faith. “I don’t care what others think. My job is to praise Him and acknowledge that He is responsible for everything I have,” he declared.