Why Denzel Washington Felt Bitter About Losing Two Oscars
Hollywood icon opens up about career disappointments and redemption
Denzel Washington, one of the most celebrated actors in Hollywood, has revealed he felt “bitter” after losing out on two Best Actor Oscars, even admitting he stopped voting for the Academy Awards during a period of disillusionment. His candid reflections offer a rare insight into the emotional toll of such setbacks, even for an actor of his stature.
The Training Day star won his first Oscar in 1990 for his supporting role in Glory. However, he faced significant disappointments in the Best Actor category. In 1993, his critically acclaimed portrayal of Malcolm X in Spike Lee’s Malcolm X was overlooked, with the Oscar going to Al Pacino for Scent of a Woman. In 2000, he was nominated again for his performance in The Hurricane but lost to Kevin Spacey for American Beauty.
Speaking to Esquire magazine, Denzel recalled the 2000 Oscars, which had an audience of over 46 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched broadcasts in the Academy’s history. “At the Oscars, they called Kevin Spacey’s name for American Beauty. I remember turning around and looking at him, and nobody was standing but the people around him. And everyone else was looking at me,” he said.
Reflecting on that moment, he admitted it might have been a product of his own perception. “Maybe that’s the way I felt. Thinking about it now, I don’t think they were [looking at me].”
Denzel’s portrayal of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter in The Hurricane had already earned him a Golden Globe, and many critics considered him the frontrunner for the Oscar that year. Despite the accolades, the loss left him feeling dejected. “I’m sure I went home and drank that night. I had to. I don’t want to sound like, ‘Oh, he won my Oscar,’ or anything like that. It wasn’t like that,” he said.
Resentment Towards the Academy
Following the losses, Denzel admitted he became disenchanted with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, even delegating the voting process to his wife, Pauletta. “I went through a time then when Pauletta would watch all the Oscar movies. I told her: ‘I don’t care about that. They don’t care about me? I don’t care. You vote. You watch them. I ain’t watching that,’” he revealed.
His disillusionment marked a low point in his relationship with the Oscars. “I gave up. I got bitter. My pity party,” he added.
Redemption and Triumph
Denzel’s story took a triumphant turn just two years later when he won the coveted Best Actor Oscar for his role in Training Day. His win made him only the second African-American actor to receive the award, following Sidney Poitier’s historic win in 1964.
Since then, he has received four additional Oscar nominations for Flight, Fences, Roman J. Israel, Esq., and The Tragedy of Macbeth. His career has been marked by a staggering $3.7 billion in worldwide box office earnings and more than 50 film credits.
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In recognition of his contributions to the entertainment industry, Denzel received the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes. He has also mentored young actors and directed critically acclaimed films, further cementing his legacy as one of Hollywood’s most respected figures.
A Lesson in Resilience
Denzel’s openness about his Oscar disappointments and the emotional investment that goes into his craft has resonated with many in the industry. Statistics reveal that fewer than 5% of Oscar nominees win on their first nomination, highlighting the competitive nature of the awards.
His story is a testament to resilience, demonstrating that setbacks can pave the way for even greater achievements. Today, Denzel Washington’s relationship with the Academy has been fully restored, and he continues to inspire both peers and audiences with his unwavering dedication to storytelling.
This chapter of his life serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance, even in the face of bitter disappointment. For Denzel, the journey from loss to triumph has become an inspiring tale in Hollywood history.
