Denzel Washington Shuts Down Hollywood Actor Label: 'I Did Stage First'
Denzel Washington is clarifying the origins of his acclaimed career.
The 70 year-old actor, who is currently playing the titular role in Othello on Broadway, said in a recent interview that he considers himself to be primarily a stage actor.
“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 told CBS’ Sunday Morning when asked about the string of movie stars who are currently starring in Broadway productions.
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Denzel also shut down the label of a “Hollywood actor” considering his slew of roles in major blockbuster hits.
“I’m from Mt. Vernon [New York], so I’m a Mt. Vernon actor. I don’t know what ‘Hollywood’ means. That’s something — I know it’s a place,” he said.
He then explained his definition of the difference between acting in front of a camera and acting in the theater.
“Movies are filmmakers’ medium. You shoot it and then you’re gone, and they cut together and add music and do all of that. Theater is an actor’s medium. The curtain goes up, and you’re on and nobody can help you,” he said.
Denzel made his Broadway debut in 1988 in the play Checkmates, and went on to win a Tony Award in 2010 for his role in the stage production of Fences. His other Broadway credits include Julius Caesar, A Raisin in the Sun, and The Iceman Cometh.
Recently, Othello’s director explained why the show’s ticket prices are extremely high.