Denzel Washington says that when it comes to watching movies in his downtime, he is officially over it. The 70-year-old star recently spoke with GQ where he admitted that he’s not really interested in cinema anymore, despite building one of the most respected and history-making careers in Hollywood.
In the conversation alongside his Highest 2 Lowest director, Spike Lee, and costar A$AP Rocky, Washington kept it real when asked about film. “Do you have any dolly shots of this guy that you admire?” A$AP teased, referencing Lee’s iconic filmography, to which Washington replied, “I don’t watch movies, man. I really don’t.”
Both Lee and Rocky laughed at the confession, but Denzel doubled down: “I’m just being honest with you. I don’t watch movies, man. I don’t go to the movies, I don’t watch movies.” When pressed on whether his disinterest stems from being a filmmaker and actor himself, Washington admitted, “Probably. I’m tired of movies.”
Denzel Washington attends the “Highest 2 Lowest” red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 19, 2025 in Cannes, France.
Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images
Later, when Lee asked how many films he’s made over his career, the Training Day star shrugged, saying, “Too many,” and estimated he’s appeared in around 50 films. This isn’t the first time Washington has kept it too real about Hollywood. During the press run for Highest 2 Lowest, he also said he’s not concerned with industry accolades, even dismissing some of his own Oscar wins.
“I don’t do it for Oscars. I really don’t care about that kind of stuff,” he told Jake’s Takes. “There are times I won and shouldn’t have won… and didn’t win and should’ve won. Man gives the award, God gives the reward.”
He even poked fun at his two Academy Awards for Training Day and Glory, saying, “People ask, ‘Where do you keep it?’ I say, ‘Next to the other one.’ I’m not bragging, I’m just telling you how I feel. On my last day, they won’t do me a bit of good!”
Despite Washington’s nonchalantness, his legacy speaks volumes. His Oscar wins have made history, with his Glory win cementing him as the second Black actor to take home Best Supporting Actor at the time, following Louis Gossett Jr. He was also the first Black actor to earn two nominations in that category.
Beyond the trophies, his filmography includes: Malcolm X, Philadelphia, American Gangster, Remember the Titans, Training Day, and most recently, Gladiator II.