December 28, 1954 Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr., actor, director, and film producer, was born in Mount Vernon, New York.

Washington earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in drama and journalism from Fordham University in 1977 and made his professional acting debut in the television movie “Wilma” (1977). His big break came when he starred from 1982 to 1988 in the television drama “St. Elsewhere.” In 1987, Washington starred in “Cry Freedom” which resulted in an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

In 1989, he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Glory.” In 2001, Washington won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in “Training Day.” Washington’s five Oscar nominations are the most by an actor of African descent. Other significant movies that Washington has starred in include “Malcolm X” (1992), “Philadelphia” (1993), “The Hurricane” (1999), “Inside Man” (2006), “Taking of Pelham One, Two, Three” (2009), and “Unstoppable” (2010). In 2010, Washington won the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play for his role in “Fences.”