Denzel Washington: ‘I’m Not Interested in Oscars’ and ‘Don’t Care’ About Them: ‘They Won’t Do Me a Bit of Good’ When I Die
At 70, Denzel Washington claims nine Oscar Award nominations, and two Oscar wins, best supporting actor for Glory and best actor for Training Day.
But the actor, who’s among the very best in Hollywood’s history, places no value on such career milestones.
Speaking to “Jake’s Takes” on his “Highest 2 Lowest” press tour, Washington said no acting decision he makes in his career has to do with winning awards.
“I don’t do it for Oscars. I don’t care about that kind of stuff,” Washington said. “I’ve been at this a long time, and there’s time when I won and shouldn’t have won and then didn’t win and should’ve won. Man gives the award. God gives the reward.”
My Oscar Book:
Not that Washington cared.
As he sarcastically told The New York Times when asked about the snub: “Are you kidding me? Awww. Oh, I’m so upset. I’m happy for all that I did, and I’m happy with what I’m doing.”
Not getting caught up in awards has long been Washington’s mantra. His “Training Day” co-star Ethan Hawke appeared on Max’s “Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?” last year and remembered how Washington leaned over to him when Hawke lost best supporting actor on Oscar night to tell him, “It’s better that you didn’t win. Losing was better.”
“Highest 2 Lowest” opens in select theaters August 15 from A24 and Apple Studios.
The movie will be available to stream on Apple TV+ starting September 5.
Watch Washington’s full interview on “Jake’s Takes” in the video below.
Washington Says ‘I Don’t Watch Movies’ Anymore: ‘I Don’t Go to the Movies. I’m Tired of Movies’
Washington made the surprising revelation that he no longer watches movies. The two-time Oscar winner admitted it may be because he’s just made too many of them. Washington has well over 40 film credits under his belt after starting his career in 1981’s “Carbon Copy.”
“I don’t watch movies, man. I really don’t,” Washington said. “I’m just being honest with you! I don’t watch movies! I don’t go to the movies. I don’t watch movies. … I’m tired of movies.”
When Lee asked Washington how many movies he’s made, the actor responded: “Too many. I think 50!”
“Highest 2 Lowest” marks the fifth collaboration between Washington and Lee following “Mo’ Better Blues” (1990), “Malcolm X” (1992), “He Got Game” (1998) and “Inside Man” (2006). Washington was nominated for the best actor Oscar for “Malcolm X,” an award Lee maintains Washington should’ve won. Not that Washington strives for awards. He said that no acting decision he makes in his career has to do with winning awards.
Washington continued, “I’m not that interested in Oscars. People ask me, ‘Where do I keep it?’ Well, next to the other one. I’m not bragging! Just telling you how I feel about it. On my last day, [Oscars] aren’t going to do me a bit of good.”
