Denzel Washington Confirms Decades-Long Name Mispronunciation

Denzel Washington, the acclaimed actor and two-time Oscar winner, revealed during a Jimmy Kimmel Live! appearance that his name has been widely mispronounced for decades. Contrary to the common pronunciation “DEN-zel,” Washington clarified that it should be said as “DEN-zuhl,” a change rooted in his family because he shares his name with his father, leading his mother to distinguish between them by altering the pronunciation. This revelation coincided with Kimmel noting the rise in NFL players named Denzel, which Washington humorously attributed to them naming themselves after him due to his fame following his first Oscar win. The actor has shared this story previously, and the subtle but significant difference in pronunciation highlights the personal history behind his name. Additionally, Washington recently celebrated becoming an ordained minister and continues to be a prominent figure in Hollywood, recently promoting his new film "Highest to Lowest." His name’s pronunciation and his career anecdotes continue to engage fans and media alike.