Denzel Washington is one of the most talented American actors and directors. He has been acting in movies since the 1980s and continues to captivate audiences with outstanding performances. He owes his success to his mother, who helped change his bad habits and directed him toward the right path.
Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. was born on December 28, 1954, in Mount Vernon, New York. He had two siblings. His father, Denzel Sr., was a preacher, and his mother, Lennis, owned a beauty salon.
His parents divorced when he was 14 years old. At the time, some of his friends were going down the wrong path. But his mother was determined to save her boy, so she got him out before he could make any foolish mistakes. She transferred Denzel to a private school in the northern part of the state. Washington later said, “That decision changed my life because I wouldn’t have survived in the direction I was going. They were nice guys, but the streets got them.”In addition, he spent a lot of time during his childhood at the local Boys & Girls Club, which also had a big impact on him. He believes that the club provided him with a safe place to go after school, and he is grateful for the caring mentorship and support he received there. And the actor has been its national representative for 30 years.