Washington
Denzel Washington sets new record after wild year of retirement rumors, fan fights and embracing religion
Throughout the span of Denzel Washington’s illustrious career, the legendary actor has continued to make a major impact in Hollywood.
As the 69-year-old actor received his 11th Golden Globe nomination for his work in “Gladiator II,” he set a new record, becoming the Black actor with the most nominations in the history of the awards show. He was previously tied for the record with legendary actor Sidney Poitier.
Washington has been nominated for best performance by a male actor in a supporting role for his portrayal of Macrinus in the action film.
Meanwhile, Washington has left fans buzzing in 2024 with a number of surprising moves. From teasing his retirement to becoming a minister and everything in between, here’s a look at the Hollywood star’s year of surprises.
‘GLADIATOR II’ STAR DENZEL WASHINGTON HAS AWKWARD ENCOUNTER WITH KING CHARLES
Hollywood actor Denzel Washington made major headlines in 2024 from receiving his 11th Golden Globes nomination to sparking retirement rumors. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for WarnerMedia)
Washington hinted at his Hollywood exit after wrapping up several movie projects.
In November, the Academy Award-winning actor announced on Australia’s “Today” show that he’s nearing the end of his Hollywood career.
“For me, it’s about the filmmaker, especially at this point in my career,” Washington said.
“I’m only interested in working with the best. I don’t know how many more films I’m gonna make — probably not that many. I want to do things I haven’t done.”
He went on to discuss his upcoming roles, including in Shakespeare’s “Othello” on Broadway. Washington first portrayed the character when he was 22 and has plans to play Othello for the third time in a film adaptation.
Washington hinted at his Hollywood exit after he plans to wrap up several movie projects. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Washington additionally booked a couple of other projects, including a role as Carthaginian general Hannibal in an upcoming Netflix project, collaborating with director Steve McQueen on a film and having a part in the third “Black Panther” movie.
The actor announced that he’s also going to play the character King Lear in another movie.
“After that, I’m going to retire,” Washington remarked.
While Washington sent his passionate fans into a tailspin with his retirement rumors, he clarified his comments days after the “Today” interview.
“I didn’t say I was going to go into retirement,” he told BuzzFeed. “I said that it has to be a level of interest for me. I’m more interested in getting behind the camera, so that’s about five years out.”
“It’s very difficult. And I may have used the word ‘retire,’ but I look at life in three sections: you learn, you earn, you return. I’m in the return part of life.”
DENZEL WASHINGTON APPEARS TO LASH OUT AT FANS IN HEATED EXCHANGE IN NYC
Washington appeared to have a heated exchange with fans attempting to take his picture and ask for his autograph outside New York City’s Museum of Modern Art. (Getty Images)
Last year, Washington appeared to have a heated exchange with fans attempting to take his picture and ask for his autograph outside New York City’s Museum of Modern Art.
In October, the “Training Day” actor attended a film benefit honoring Samuel L. Jackson.
While Washington arrived in good spirits and paused to take some photos for and with fans, his evening took an awkward turn as he lashed out.
As he was walking in, Washington quickly turned around and approached a group of fans seeking autographs.
In video obtained by Fox News Digital, Washington can be heard saying, “Put this down. I heard you. You talk about showing love … respect me.”
WATCH: DENZEL WASHINGTON APPEARS TO LASH OUT AT FANS IN HEATED EXCHANGE IN NYC
“We always do,” one fan responded.
“I said, ‘I’ll see you when I get out.’ Which part of that don’t y’all understand?” Washington said.
“Or not, or not! We can do it another way. I can do it both ways, y’all,” he added before walking inside.
It’s unclear what led to the exchange.
DENZEL WASHINGTON BECOMES A MINISTER AS HOLLYWOOD ACTOR ADMITS YOU ‘CAN’T TALK’ ABOUT RELIGION IN INDUSTRY
In December, Washington took on a new role in his life as he received his minister’s license. (Rich Fury/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the Hollywood actor can add ministry to his impressive resumé.
In December, Washington took on a new role in his life as he received his minister’s license.
Washington was baptized by Bishop James Pullings Jr. at the Kelly Temple in New York City.
“It took a while, but I’m finally here … If [God] can do this for me, there’s nothing He can’t do for you,” Washington said, according to a video shared online. “The sky literally is the limit.”
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Esther Renee Burns Pullings, the bishop’s wife, shared photos of the moment on Facebook.
“A beautiful service we had today at The Historic Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ,” she captioned the photos. “We witnessed our Bishop James Pullings Jr. baptizing now Minister Denzel Washington today To God Be The Glory!”
Washington previously admitted you “can’t talk” about religion in the industry.
“When you see me, you see the best I could do with what I’ve been given by my lord and savior,” the “Gladiator II” star wrote for Esquire. “I’m unafraid.”
Denzel Washington has been open about his faith. (Tiziana Fabi )
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“I don’t care what anyone thinks. See, talking about the fear part of it — you can’t talk like that and win Oscars. You can’t talk like that and party. You can’t say that in this town,” Washington added.
“I’m free now. It’s not talked about in this town. It’s not talked about … It’s not fashionable. It’s not sexy. But that doesn’t mean people in Hollywood don’t believe. There’s no such thing called Hollywood anyway. What does that even mean? That, to me, means a street called Hollywood Boulevard,” he wrote.
Washington landed his breakthrough role in the medical drama “St. Elsewhere,” in 1982. He earned multiple nominations for his work on the show and eventually was able to break into film.
Washington is known for films such as “Fences,” “The Book of Eli,” “Cry Freedom” and “Malcom X.”
WATCH: ‘GLADIATOR II’ STAR DENZEL WASHINGTON APPROACHES KING CHARLES IN AWKWARD ENCOUNTER
Washington additionally had a memorable moment with King Charles III during the “Gladiator II” premiere.
In November, King Charles greeted the “Gladiator II” cast at the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square in London.
During the meet and greet, cast members, including Washington, Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal, along with director Sir Ridley Scott, met King Charles one by one. However, Washington appeared nervous when he met the royal monarch.
“I didn’t know if I was supposed to grab your hand or not,” Washington smiled as he gave Charles a handshake.
Washington had a memorable moment with King Charles III during the “Gladiator II” premiere. (Gareth Cattermole/Eddie Mulholland – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
“I’m just an awful … I’m a lovely man, you’ll see,” Washington said, as he stumbled on his words. “I’m a lovely chap.”
King Charles continued the exchange and said to Washington, “You’ve been in so many films, it’s fantastic.”
Washington graciously replied, “Thank you, thank you.”
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Fox News Digital’s Lauryn Overhultz and Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report.
SEATTLE — A bill aimed at tightening Washington’s laws on child sex abuse material is headed to Gov. Bob Ferguson’s desk after clearing the Legislature unanimously.
King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion said 2ESSB 5105 passed the House unanimously Tuesday night after the Senate unanimously approved it on Jan. 28, 2026.
SEE ALSO | Washington exempts clergy from reporting abuse learned in confession after settlement
Manion called the measure one of her public safety legislative priorities.
“People who peddle in the misery of sexually abused children must be held accountable,” Manion said. “I am grateful for the work of Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Laura Harmon – both in prosecuting these cases and advocating for these legal fixes – and Senators Tina Orwall and Manka Dhingra for championing this legislation.”
Manion’s office said the current state law has gaps that can prevent prosecutors from holding offenders accountable in some cases.
Under current law, prosecutors cannot charge defendants for creating images of child sex abuse unless the child victim was conscious or knew they were being recorded.
The office also said that possessing sexually explicit fabricated (AI) images of non-identifiable minors is not considered child sex abuse material under Washington law.
The bill would update RCW 9.68A.040 to remove the requirement that a child be aware of an abusive recording. It would also update the definition of child sex abuse material to include fabricated (AI) images of non-identifiable minors.
The legislation would also increase the statute of limitations to 10 years for depiction crimes. Manion’s office said the current statute of limitations is three years, and argued that because the images can remain online indefinitely, victims can be re-traumatized for decades.
Both of Utah’s power play units scored in the win. Sergachev scored his 10th goal of the season on the power play 13 and a half minutes into the first period. Peterka scored his 21st of the season, on the man-advantage, in the final two minutes of the middle frame.
Peterka has three power play goals in the 2025-26 campaign while Sergachev has matched a career-high with five power play goals this season. Overall, Utah’s power play has scored six goals in the last six games. That output matches the Mammoth’s total from their previous 18 games (per Mammoth PR). Tourigny discussed what’s changed with the team’s performance in recent games.
“(The) puck gets in,” Tourigny laughed. “But, no, I think there’s a number of things. The most important thing is we’re aggressive. We’re attacking.
“…If you look at our goal, the first one, it’s a direct play to the net and then on the loose puck recovery we take a shot with traffic and we score,” Tourigny continued. “On the second one, it’s a slot pass, a great shot by (Peterka). I think we had that attack mindset.”
Guenther, who is on the Mammoth’s top power play unit, agreed with Tourigny’s assessment of attacking more.
“I think just attacking, less predictable,” Guenther explained. “Shooting it more, I think (it is) just work really. Trying to play like a 5-on-5 mindset but on the (power play).”
The Mammoth made several line changes for tonight’s game and the new lines started to find chemistry, despite it being the first game with these changes.
“I like them,” Tourigny said of the changes. “Obviously (Guenther) got a goal, but Cooley’s line was really good. I was looking at the expected goals at the end, I think they were above 90%. So that’s pretty, pretty awesome. Then I think (Barrett Hayton’s) line worked really hard. They’re heavy on pucks and they play well defensively. I did like (Michael Carcone’s) line in (the) previous three games, and I did like them again tonight.”
When Washington pushed back with a power play goal and multiple close chances in the third period, Utah fought hard against the momentum swing to secure the win.
“I thought we did a pretty good job,” Keller explained. “Weathering the storm as much as we could. They’re a great veteran team. They made it hard on us. They pressured us all over the ice, but I was proud of the way we fought there towards the end.”
Utah’s bench was positive and calm throughout the game, especially late in the third. This helped the Mammoth through the momentum swings. Keller, who had two assists in the win, was one of the key voices for the Mammoth.
“He’s one of the guys who was really positive on the bench,” Tourigny explained. “(All the players) were but (Keller) was really vocal. He was really good energy on the bench. So that was really good.”
Additional Notes from Tonight (per Mammoth PR)
- Guenther had two points in the win (1G, 1A) and the forward has earned a team-high nine points (5G, 4A) through six road games in 2026. He has become the third Mammoth skater to reach the 50-point mark this season (28G, 23A) and established a new career-high in goals.
- Sergachev has 18 power play points this season (5G, 13A) and is tied with Keller for the team lead this season.
- Keller has recorded multiple primary assists in a game for the seventh time this season and the 27th time in his NHL career. He has now tallied multiple points in four of his last six contests (2G, 8A), with three multi-assist outings over that span.
The Mammoth continue their five-game road trip in Philadelphia on Thursday night. Game time is 5 p.m. MT and available to watch on Mammoth+ and Utah16.
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