Washington

Denzel Washington Pays Tribute to James Earl Jones: ‘He Was Who I Wanted to Be’

Published

3 months ago

September 10, 2024

Denzel Washington Pays Tribute to James Earl Jones: ‘He Was Who I Wanted to Be’

Denzel Washington is paying homage to the late actor James Earl Jones, who died this week at 93.

“He’s my hero,” Washington tells Variety. “My college theater career started because of ‘The Emperor Jones’ and ‘Othello’ with James Earl Jones.”

Jones starred in the stage adaptation of Eugene O’Neill’s play “The Emperor Jones” in 1971 and played the titular “Othello” in Joseph Papp’s New York Shakespeare Festival and later Off-Broadway production in 1964.

A larger-than-life titan in film, TV, and theater, Jones was most recognizable for his unmistakable baritone voice, which he used to portray the villainous Darth Vader in the “Star Wars” franchise and King Mufasa in the animated classic “The Lion King.”

Washington continues, “I wasn’t going to be as big as him. I wanted to sound like him. He was everything to me as a budding actor. He was who I wanted to be.”

In a 1998 interview, Washington said, “There weren’t a lot of serious Black actors for us to emulate, to follow, to admire. There was Sidney [Poitier]; it was James Earl Jones on stage. That’s what I remember.”

With Jones’ death, two of the performers who inspired the most decorated Black actor in Oscars history are gone.

Although Jones and Washington never worked together in film or television, their artistic legacies were spiritually adjacent. One of Jones’ career highlights was his Tony Award-winning performance as Troy Maxson in the 1987 Broadway production of August Wilson’s “Fences.” In 2016, Washington directed, produced, and starred in the film adaptation, which earned him Oscar nominations for best picture and actor, making him the first Black person to be nominated in both categories in the same year.

Washington is currently at the Toronto Film Festival promoting the new August Wilson film adaptation, “The Piano Lesson,” which he produced with Todd Black. It screens on Tuesday evening. The film, co-written and directed by Malcolm Washington, generated Oscar buzz after its premiere at Telluride. It stars John David Washington, Danielle Deadwyler, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts and Samuel L. Jackson.

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Washington

Washington Fire Department adds food drive to annual Santa parade

Published

6 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Press Room

Washington Fire Department adds food drive to annual Santa parade

WASHINGTON (25News Now) – A new tradition was born in the Town of Washington Thursday night, on top of one that’s already been going for 11 years.

The city’s fire department used its annual Santa parade as an opportunity to collect food donations for ‘Washington Helps Its People,’ more commonly known as WHIP.

Fire Captain Jakob Spitzer said the department started its annual Santa parade in 2013 after the tornado tore through town. It was a way to reconnect with neighbors after the tragedy.

As the number of spectators grows each year, the acts of service have started to follow.

“It’s a perfect opportunity for families to come together, to donate, and to give during this Christmas season,” Spitzer said.

WHIP hosts a food pantry twice a month, serving nearly 200 families. However, one volunteer, Sharla Davis, says the number of people in need has recently grown, making community involvement more important.

“Our demand is greater, so our community is really just stepping up. This is a great way that people can just donate from right out of their house; they don’t have to drive the donation to us, they don’t have to send us a check, they can just walk out their door, say hi to Santa, and be able to put food on the truck,” said Davis.

This year marks the first time the firefighters have added the WHIP Collection to the tradition, and they said they’ll continue it from here on out.

During Thursday’s 11-mile parade route, WHIP leaders estimate people donated over 3,000 pounds of food, including canned vegetables, cereal, and crackers.

People interested in donating but missed the collection or the fire trucks didn’t drive down their street can drop off nonperishable items at either the fire department or WHIP off Peoria Street.

You can watch 25News – any newscast, anywhere – streaming LIVE on 25NewsNow.com, our 25News mobile app, and on our WEEK 25News SmartTV streaming app. Learn more about how you can get connected to 25News streaming live news here.

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Washington

Preview: December 20 at Washington | Carolina Hurricanes

Published

13 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Press Room

Preview: December 20 at Washington | Carolina Hurricanes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes start a three-game road trip in the nation’s capital on Friday night against the Washington Capitals.

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When: Friday, December 20

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. ET

Watch: FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network App | Learn More

Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

Odds at Time of Publishing, via Fanatics Sportsbook: Canes -140

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Canes Record: 20-10-1 (41 Points, 3rd – Metropolitan Division)

Canes Last Game: 4-0 Win over the New York Islanders on Friday, December 17

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Capitals Record: 21-8-2 (44 Points, 2nd – Metropolitan Division)

Capitals Last Game: 3-2 Loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, December 17

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Washington

Washington Nationals agree to terms with Michael Soroka

Published

22 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Press Room

Washington Nationals agree to terms with Michael Soroka

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Michael Soroka on a one-year contract on Thursday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Soroka, 27, pitched to a 4.74 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 79.2 innings pitched in 25 games (nine starts) for

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