Denzel Washington Affirms Stage Identity Amid Broadway Othello Revival

Denzel Washington recently expressed that he prefers to be identified as a stage actor rather than a 'Hollywood actor' during an interview on CBS' Sunday Morning while promoting his Broadway revival of Shakespeare's Othello. He emphasized his roots from Mt. Vernon, stating, 'What’s the definition of a Hollywood actor? I don’t know what “Hollywood” means,' and clarified that his identity is shaped by his foundational experiences in theater. Washington highlighted the distinction between the mediums, saying, 'I’m a stage actor who does film; it’s not the other way around,' and elaborated on how theater empowers actors in ways that film does not. His current role in Othello has been a long-held dream, and he reflected on the influence of James Earl Jones, who previously portrayed the character. Washington's deep connection to theater and his ongoing work in Othello demonstrate his commitment to the craft beyond Hollywood's fame.