2007

Denzel Washington

November 02

American Gangster

Washington appears on the cover of Entertainment Weekly with costar Russell Crowe, where they discuss their gritty crime epic American Gangster. The film, which is generating Oscar buzz, follows real-life Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas (Washington) and the efforts of a cop, Richie Roberts (Crowe), who wants to bring him down. Both actors initially turned down their roles, but agreed to do it on the hope of working with director Ridley Scott and one another.

Denzel Washington

December 25

The Great Debaters

Washington stars in and directs a trio of young actors in The Great Debaters. The period drama is a true story about an African-American debating squad that takes on Harvard. "In every breath, in every shot, I can feel [Denzel]," Oprah Winfrey, who produced the film, says. At the NAACP Image Awards, the film is named best film, Washington is honored as best actor, and costar Jurnee Smollett is cited as best actress.

Photo Credits

BIOGRAPHY (top to bottom): The Weinstein Company

Edited by Mai Dinh, Janet Murphy