Denzel Washington Jr. was born on December 28th 1954 in
Mount Vernon, New York. After graduating from high school, Denzel enrolled at Fordham University and planned to follow a career in journalism.

However, after appearing in several student drama productions, Denzel decided that acting was the job for him and moved to San Francisco to study at the American Conservatory Theater.

He made his first big screen appearance in Carbon Copy (1981) alongside George Segal. But his big break came a year later when he was cast as Dr. Chandler in NBC's hugely popular medical series St. Elsewhere (1982). Here Denzel stayed before finally leaving the show after six years.

Denzel's first great movie role came in 1987 as Steve Biko in the film Cry Freedom. His charismatic performance as the black activist convinced Hollywood that Denzel had the talent to match his looks.

In 1989 he won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Tripp, in Edward Zwick's wonderful Civil War movie Glory.

In the years that followed, Denzel starred in a series of successful movies with highlights including The Pelican Brief (1993); Philadelphia (1993) and Crimson Tide (1995).

His role as Malcolm X (1992) in the film of the same name should've won him the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Denzel would have to wait another nine years before claiming this prize, this time for his performance in Training Day (2001).