Denzel Washington said his remarkable Hollywood career is "by the grace of God." Photo: Venti Views.,,,
Hollywood icon Denzel Washington has credited God with the starring role in his incredible acting career.
Washington, winner of two Oscars, a Tony and three Golden Globes and the star of films including Glory, Cry Freedom and Training Day, is the son of a Pentecostal minister.
The 67-year-old has been increasingly vocal about his faith in recent years and, at the release of his latest film The Tragedy of Macbeth, used the glare of pre-launch publicity to shine a light on the inspirational power behind his formidable talent.
“It’s not mine,” he said of his acting ability. “It’s been given to me by the grace of God.”
In an interview for Desus & Mero for US network Showtime, he added: “One of the most important lessons in life is to remember to have an attitude of gratitude, of humility, understand where the gift comes from.”
The father-of-four, who’s married to actress Pauletta Pearson, revealed that his acting career was part of a prophesy. “It was prophesied that I would travel the world and preach to millions of people. I thought it was through my work and it has been.
“My mother said to me, ‘Denzel, you do a lot of good. You have to do good the right way, and you know what I’m talking about.’ I’m all about the message, to the degree that I know it, and I’m unafraid to share it.”
In the past year he told attendees at a Christian men’s conference to “listen to God” and “stay on your knees”, adding: “I hope that the words in my mouth and the meditation of my heart are pleasing in God’s sight, but I’m human. I’m just like you.
“What I have will not keep me on this Earth for one more day. Share what you know, inspire who you can, seek advice. If you want to talk to someone, talk to the one that can do something about it.
“I’m not looking at it from an earthly perspective. If you don’t have a spiritual anchor, you’ll be easily blown by the wind.”
He urged Christians to “help others” and put his mega-wealth in perspective: “I’ve been blessed to make hundreds of millions of dollars in my life. I can’t take it with me, and neither can you. It’s not how much you have but what you do with what you have.”
