Denzel Washington Then and Now

Here's a look at Oscar award-winning actor Denzel Washington's life and career through the years.

Reuters

Denzel Washington in 'Death Wish'

1974: Denzel Washington, born Dec. 28, 1954, in Mount Vernon, N.Y., made his acting debut with an uncredited role as a mugger in the Charles Bronson movie "Death Wish." He's seen here in the movie on the right.

Paramount Pictures

Denzel Washington

1982: After a few more minor parts on TV, Washington caught one of his first big breaks as a cast member of the medical drama "St. Elsewhere" on NBC. Washington played Dr. Phillip Chandler from 1982 to 1988.

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Denzel Washington -- 'A Soldier's Story'

1984: Washington's early film work included a supporting role in the Oscar-nominated military drama "A Soldier's Story."

Columbia Pictures

Denzel Washington

1987: His turn as real-life South African activist Steve Biko in "Cry Freedom" earned Washington his first Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination.

Universal Pictures

1989: Washington played Pvt. Trip in the Civil War drama "Glory."

1990: The "Glory" role earned Washington his first Oscar win in the Best Supporting Actor category. He's seen here on March 26, 1990, with his Oscar.

Lee Celano/Reuters

1992: Washington's first nomination for a Best Actor Oscar came for playing real-life Black Nationalist leader Malcolm X in the Spike Lee-directed film of the same name.

Warner Bros. Pictures

1993: Washington as Joe Miller, an attorney who represents an AIDS victim, Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks), who claims to have been wrongfully terminated from his workplace in "Philadelphia."

1996: Washington kisses the award he received for outstanding lead actor in a motion picture for his role in "Crimson Tide" at the 27th NAACP's Image Awards on April 6 in Los Angeles.

Louis Raynor/Reuters

1996: Washington poses with his wife Pauletta (left) and his "Courage Under Fire" co-star Meg Ryan (right) during a party following the film's premiere on July 8.

Fred Prouser/Reuters

1998: Washington places his hand in cement during ceremonies at Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Jan. 15. At that time, Washington was the 193rd person honored with a handprint ceremony.

Fred Prouser/Reuters

1998: Washington and Angelina Jolie in the crime thriller "The Bone Collector."

Warner Bros. Pictures

2000: Washington stars as football coach Herman Boone in "Remember the Titans."

Walt Disney Pictures

2001: Washington and Ethan Hawke in the crime thriller "Training Day." Washington played corrupt police detective Alonzo Harris in the film, which earned him his fifth Oscar nomination overall, this time for Best Actor.

Warner Bros. Pictures

2002: Washington and Halle Berry appear backstage with their Oscar statues at the 74th annual Academy Awards in Hollywood. Washington won Best Actor for his work in "Training Day" and Berry won Best Actress for her work in "Monster's Ball."

Andy Clark/Reuters

2007: Washington playing Frank Lucas, the real-life crime boss who serves as the basis for the Ridley Scott drama "American Gangster." He's seen here with Josh Brolin.

Universal Pictures

2010: Washington in the post-apocalyptic thriller "Book of Eli."

Warner Bros. Pictures

2010: Chris Pine and Washington in the runaway train thriller "Unstoppable."

20th Century Fox

2012: Washington playing airline pilot Whip Whitaker in Robert Zemeckis' drama "Flight." The role earned Washington his seventh Golden Globe nomination.

Paramount Pictures

2011: Washington shares a laugh with director Spike Lee as they watch the NBA game between the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Jan. 9.

Lucy Nicholson/Reuters