Denzel Washington, one of the most celebrated and respected actors of our time, recently shared a surprising take on how he views himself in the world of performance — and it may challenge what many assume about him. Despite being a two-time Academy Award winner with a lengthy, acclaimed film career that spans decades, Washington insists he doesn’t see himself as a Hollywood actor. In his own words, that label doesn’t quite fit.
Sitting down with CBS’ 60 Minutes for an interview with Bill Whitaker, Washington was joined by his Othello co-star Jake Gyllenhaal, as they discussed the massive success of their current Broadway production. And when the topic shifted toward the term “Hollywood actor,” Washington didn’t hesitate to push back.
When Whitaker mentioned how this Broadway season is shaping up to be packed with stars — “lots of Hollywood actors and producers” — Washington responded bluntly, questioning the phrase. “What’s the definition of a Hollywood actor?” he asked. “Myself, I’m from Mount Vernon, so I’m a Mount Vernon actor. I don’t know what Hollywood means. I know it’s a place.”
His statement wasn’t just a playful shrug. It was a clear effort to reposition how he wants to be seen — not as someone defined by glossy red carpets and big-budget movie roles, but as a craftsman, a serious performer with roots in live theater. For Washington, acting began — and still belongs — on the stage.
The interviewer pressed further, offering a common interpretation of the term: someone who is famous for film roles. Washington didn’t back down. Instead, he clarified: “I’m a stage actor who does film, it’s not the other way around. I did stage first. I learned how to act on stage — not on film.”
He made a clear distinction between the two worlds. In his view, the stage is the actor’s true domain. “Movies are a filmmaker’s medium,” he said. “You shoot it, then you’re gone. They cut it together, they add music, and do all that. Theater is an actor’s medium. The curtain goes up — and you’re on. Ain’t nobody can help you.”
It’s this commitment to the stage that makes his return to Othello especially meaningful. Washington first played the role 48 years ago, back when he was just 22 years old, studying at Fordham University in the Bronx. Now, at 70, he’s returning to the same role — this time with nearly five decades of life, pain, joy, and experience informing every word he speaks onstage.
“I go past it every day on my way to rehearsal,” he reflected. “It’s fascinating to have been too young for the part back then — and some may say now too old. But 48 years of experience, 48 years of life… that’s what informs my Othello now.”
His words highlight the growth of a performer who has never stopped evolving, never stopped learning, and never settled for being boxed into someone else’s definition of success.
The Broadway production of Othello, in which Washington stars opposite Jake Gyllenhaal, is already breaking records. The show earned an astonishing $2.8 million in just eight preview performances, making it the highest-grossing straight play in Broadway history. The previous record-holder, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (2023), had brought in $2.7 million in the same period — a figure now surpassed by Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, reimagined by two of Hollywood’s biggest stars who are proving they’re more than just screen icons.
Jake Gyllenhaal, who plays Iago, echoed Washington’s reverence for the stage, acknowledging the immense pressure and emotional gravity that comes with performing Shakespeare. “Life and death is ever-present in every moment of the show,” he said. “To do it justice takes a lot of work — and we’re all working really hard.”
But for Washington, Othello isn’t just another role — it’s a part of his personal legacy. During promotional interviews for Gladiator 2, he opened up about how important this return to the stage is for him. “I played Othello at 22. I’m about to play Othello at 70,” he said. “After that, I’m playing Hannibal. After that, I’ve been talking to Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next Black Panther. After that, I’m going to do the film Othello. After that, I’m going to do King Lear. After that… I’m going to retire.”
It’s a list that shows no signs of slowing down, but also reads like a swan song from an actor choosing his final roles with care, intention, and meaning. He’s not phoning it in. He’s choosing characters that challenge him, stretch him, and reflect the journey he’s been on.
And through it all, Washington maintains his humility and clarity of identity. While the world might celebrate him as a Hollywood legend, he sees himself first and foremost as a stage actor — a Mount Vernon actor — who just happens to have conquered cinema along the way.