Why Denzel Gave Up Chasing Oscars for Good

Denzel Reflects on Oscars and Growth

Denzel Washington, the star of Malcolm X, is a leading actor in the Hollywood industry. His career is filled with awards, progress, and, of course, setbacks.

For Denzel, his most monumental loss was suffered in 2000. To find out more about this and other details, keep reading.

Background Story

In 2000, Denzel Washington earned an Oscar nomination for his role in The Hurricane. The film revolves around a true story about Rubin Hurricane Carter, a middleweight boxer who was wrongfully convicted of a triple murder.

Denzel’s portrayal of Rubin was heartbreaking and on-point. This Oscar nomination marked a significant moment in his career after his 1988 Oscar for Glory .

Fiery Competion

Of course, Denzel wasn’t the only one nominated for the Best Actor category. The nominations were among the most competitive, including Russell Crowe, Sean Penn, and Richard Farnsworth.

Denzel Washington was nominated for his role in The Hurricane , and his rival was Kevin Spacey. Kevin Spacey’s role as Lester Burham in American Beauty earned him the spot in the nominated category.

The Moment of Defeat

There could only be one winner for the Best Actor category and unfortunately for Denzel Washington, it was Kevin Spacey who took the award home.

“At the Oscars, they called Kevin Spacey’s name for ‘American Beauty,’” Denzel explained. “I have a memory of turning around and looking at him, and nobody was standing but the people around him.”

“And everyone else was looking at me. Maybe that’s the way I perceived it. Maybe I  felt  like everybody was looking at me.”

“Because why would everybody be looking at me? Thinking about it now, I don’t think they were.”

Initial Reaction

Denzel, later on in interviews, explained how this defeat wasn’t a normal one. This was because his performance in The Hurricane was lauded by the overall world, fans, and critics alike.

This defeat was the most unexpected. And when put on the spot, he didn’t know what to portray except raw disappointment.

The “Pity Party” Phase

After his loss to Kevin Spacey in 2000, Denzil Washington went into what the actor describes as a “Pity Party” phase. He said, “I went through a time then when [my wife] Pauletta would watch all the Oscar movies.”

I told her, I don’t care about that. Hey: ‘They don’t care about me? I don’t care.” Washington said. “You vote. You watch them. I ain’t watching that.”

“I gave up. I got bitter. My pity party”. Despite the loss and disappointment, this period served as a time of reflection for the actor.

Why Did Kevin Spacey Win?

Kevin Spacey, without a doubt, was and is still an exceptional actor, leading to his win in the Best Actor category. The character of a disillusioned middle-aged man going through a middle-life crisis resonated deeply with the audience.

Kevin Spaceys’ character, Lester was full of dark humor and the exploration of freedom and identity sat well with the viewers. The movie’s theme coupled with Kevin’s acting was bound to earn him an Oscar.

A Shift in Priorities

After his tremendous loss in the 2000 Oscar Denzel Washington decided to shift his perspective. He set new priorities which involved personal growth and refocusing on his craft.

The loss of an Oscar was eye-opening for Denzel, as it helped him realize that pursuing an Oscar wasn’t as fulfilling as pursuing excellence in his performances. This change in mindset would prove to be significant for his career moving forward.

Early Career Struggles

Denzel Washington was undoubtedly a leading actor. He was nominated in the 2000s and had already won an Oscar in 1988 for Best Supporting Actor in Glory .

However, his journey towards recognition was far from easy. He wanted to be recognized for the main lead, which despite his best efforts, he couldn’t achieve at the time.

This is one of the reasons why losing the 2000 Oscar came as a hard blow, especially because he had already lost the Oscar for his role in Spike Lee’s Malcolm X.

Winning for Training Day

Two years after his Oscar loss, Denzel finally won his first Academy Award for Best Actor category. He won the Oscar for his role in the movie, Training Day .

This win made him the second African American to win the category. The first one was won by Sidney Poitier in 1963 for Lilies of the Field .

The Decision of Sobriety

In 2014, Denzel Washington made the pivotal decision to embrace sobriety. This act not only helped him progress further in his career, but it also played a huge part in helping the actor let go of what happened at the 2000 Oscars.

Denzel has often credited his decision to sobriety as a major contributor to both his personal and professional growth.

The Role of Family

Denzel Washington has often praised his wife, Pauletta Washington as a source of stability. He credited his wife for helping him face challenges in both personal schemes and career-related issues.

During Denzel’s “Pity Party” phase, the actor explained how his wife took on the responsibility of voting on Oscar ballots. Denzel has praised Pauletta for her wisdom, infinite love, and support.

Reflection on Kevin Spacey

Even though Denzel after his loss, suffered from the loss in private, he never made a dig towards his competition, Kevin Spacey. Spacey, over the span, of his career has been surrounded by allegations.

Due to allegations of misconduct, he has faced his fair share of public and legal scrutiny. Denzel, even in light of these issues, never once dwelled on them or passed judgment.

Accolades Beyond Oscars

Denzel is an exceptional actor without a doubt and this greatness can’t be measured alone with Oscars. His consistent excellence across all the various roles he has played is pretty apparent.

Throughout his career, he has built a reputation as one of the most versatile actors out there. His standout performance in the Equalizer was one for the ages.

Breaking Records

Denzel Washington has made an image of not just being a leading man but also a record-breaking trailblazer. He has earned 10 Academy Award nominations to his name.

It seems that Denzel’s expressions are always caught on camera, and the recent moment at Gladiator II’s premiere is no exception. Check out Washington & Pascal’s Awkward Red Carpet Moment for all the details.

Role in Gladiator II

It seems like Denzel Washington is going to earn another Oscar nomination, given his tremendous performance in Gladiator II. Playing the role of cunning Macrinus, according to Variety, “Gladiator II sneakily turns Denzel Washington into an Oscar-worthy villain.”

Talking about Gladiator II stars, did you know Barry Keoghan went for Saltburn instead of Gladiator II? Check out Barry Keoghan Chooses Saltburn Over Gladiator II for more details on this.