Editing Denzel Washington (section)

==Personal life==
=== Marriage and family ===
On June 25, 1983, Washington married Pauletta Pearson, whom he met on the set of his first screen work, the television film ''Wilma''. They have four children: [[John David Washington|John David]], also an actor and a former [[American football|football]] player;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2014/02/dwayne-johnsons-hbo-half-hour-pilot-ballers-picked-up-to-series-683058/ |title=Dwayne Johnson's HBO Half-Hour Pilot 'Ballers' Picked Up To Series |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=February 13, 2014 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=January 15, 2019}}</ref><ref name="espn">{{cite news |url= https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft06/news/story?id=2429264 |title= Denzel Washington's son among Rams signees |editor= Associated Press |editor-link= Associated Press |publisher= [[ESPN]] |date= May 1, 2006 |access-date= March 20, 2007}}</ref> [[Katia Washington|Katia]], who graduated from [[Yale University]] with a Bachelor of Arts in 2010; and twins [[Olivia Washington|Olivia]] and [[Malcolm Washington|Malcolm]]. Malcolm graduated from the [[University of Pennsylvania]] with a degree in film studies, and Olivia played a role in [[Lee Daniels]]'s film ''[[The Butler]]''. Malcolm made his directorial debut with ''[[The Piano Lesson (2024 film)|The Piano Lesson]]'', with Denzel producing and John David starring in it.<ref name=DH1>{{cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |title=Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Danielle Deadwyler & More Set For Netflix's ''The Piano Lesson''; Denzel Washington, Todd Black Producing |url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/samuel-l-jackson-john-david-washington-the-piano-lesson-netflix-movie-1235324261/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=April 13, 2023 |date=April 13, 2023}}</ref> In 1995, Washington and his wife [[Wedding vow renewal ceremony|renewed their wedding vows]] in South Africa with [[Desmond Tutu]] officiating.<ref>[http://www.lovetripper.com/bridalstars/2009/06/denzel-washington-and-wife-celebrate.html "Denzel Washington and Wife Celebrate 27th Wedding Anniversary in Italy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809203908/http://www.lovetripper.com/bridalstars/2009/06/denzel-washington-and-wife-celebrate.html |date=August 9, 2013 }}, LoveTripper.com, June 28, 2009</ref>

=== Religious beliefs ===
Washington is a [[Pentecostal]] [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christian]] and a member of the [[West Angeles Church of God in Christ]], located in Los Angeles.<ref name="lasentinel.net">Brian W. Carter, [https://lasentinel.net/west-angeles-church-of-god-in-christ.html West Angeles Church of God in Christ], lasentinel.net, USA, November 20, 2012</ref> He has considered becoming a preacher.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ojumu|first=Akin|title=The Observer Profile: Denzel Washington|work=[[The Observer]]|date=March 24, 2002 |url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/screen/story/0,6903,673083,00.html|access-date=February 11, 2008}}</ref> He stated in 1999, "A part of me still says, 'Maybe, Denzel, you're supposed to preach. Maybe you're still compromising.' I've had an opportunity to play great men and, through their words, to preach. I take what talent I've been given seriously, and I want to use it for good."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Denzel Washington: 'I Try to Send A Good Message' |magazine=[[Parade Magazine]] |date=December 12, 1999 |url=http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/1999/edition_12-12-1999/Denzel_Washington |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060411214059/http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/1999/edition_12-12-1999/Denzel_Washington |archive-date=April 11, 2006 }}</ref> In 1995, he donated {{US$|2.5{{nbsp}}million}} to help build the new West Angeles Church of God in Christ facility in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17623286.html|title=Magic gives $5 mil., Denzel gives $2.5 mil. to build new West Angeles COGIC facility in Los Angeles|magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|date=November 6, 1995|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812042216/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17623286.html|archive-date=August 12, 2011}}</ref><ref name=Snopes>{{cite web|first1=David|last1=Mikkelson|url=http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/denzel.asp|title=Denzel Washington|website=[[Snopes.com]]|date=February 10, 2005}}</ref> Washington says he reads the Bible daily.<ref>{{cite web|title=The GQ&A: Denzel Washington|url=https://www.gq.com/entertainment/celebrities/201210/denzel-washington-interview-gq-october-2012|last=Hainey|first=Michael|date=September 18, 2012|work=[[GQ]]}}</ref> Washington was baptized and received his ministry license from the Kelly Temple [[Church of God in Christ]] on December 21, 2024.<ref>{{cite magazine | magazine=Essence | last=Stewart | first=Shelby | date=December 22, 2024 | url=https://www.essence.com/entertainment/denze-washington-greatest-role-yet-man-faith/ | title=Denzel Washington Finds His Greatest Role Yet: A Man of Faith}}</ref>

=== Activism and service ===
Washington has served as the national spokesman for [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America]] since 1993<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bgca.org/whoweare/Pages/Board.aspx |title=Board |publisher=Bgca.org |access-date=August 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126083128/http://www.bgca.org/whoweare/Pages/Board.aspx |archive-date=November 26, 2011 }}</ref> and has appeared in public service announcements and awareness campaigns for the organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bgca.org/whoweare/alumni/Pages/BEGREATAlumni.aspx |title=Be Great Alumni |publisher=Bgca.org |access-date=August 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723061318/http://www.bgca.org/whoweare/alumni/Pages/BEGREATAlumni.aspx |archive-date=July 23, 2011 }}</ref> In addition, he has served as a board member for Boys & Girls Clubs of America since 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bet.com/photo-gallery/ffqa7z/just-cause-famous-men-of-impact/mgoa7d|title=Denzel Washington|website=[[BET]]|access-date=June 16, 2015}}</ref> In 2006, for the organization's 100 anniversary, helped put together together with Daniel Paisner, a book that underscores the lesson: “If you want to change the world, start by changing the life of a child”. "''A hand to guide me''" features examples from leaders as they tell their life-changing stories of mentorship, when as youngsters they were guided by a caring adult, which shaped the rest of their life, including over 70 of America's leading personalities in theater, sports, business, and politics such as Presidents [[Jimmy Carter]] and [[Bill Clinton]], [[Whoopi Goldberg]], [[Muhammad Ali]], [[Yogi Berra]], [[Toni Morrison]], [[Cal Ripken Jr.]] and [[Colin Powell]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Denzel Washington: A Hand to Guide Me {{!}} Leading Blog: A Leadership Blog |url=https://www.leadershipnow.com/leadingblog/2006/11/denzel_washington_a_hand_to_gu.html |access-date=October 8, 2024 |website=www.leadershipnow.com}}</ref>

In mid-2004, Washington visited [[Brooke Army Medical Center]] (BAMC) at [[Fort Sam Houston]], where he participated in a [[Purple Heart]] ceremony, presenting medals to three Army soldiers recovering from wounds they received while stationed in Iraq. He also visited the fort's [[Fisher House Foundation|Fisher House]] facilities, and after learning that it had exceeded its capacity, made a substantial donation to the [[Fisher House Foundation]]; this program focuses on building and providing homes for military personnel and their families free of charge while they receive medical care. Washington's other charitable contributions include {{US$|1{{nbsp}}million}} to [[Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund]] in 1995<ref name="People">{{cite web | url=http://www.people.com/people/denzel_washington/ | title=Denzel Washington | work=[[People (magazine)|People]] | date=2016 | access-date=May 15, 2016}}</ref> and {{US$|1{{nbsp}}million}} to [[Wiley College]] to resuscitate the college's debate team.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ragland |first=James |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/state/headlines/20120126-wiley-college-vs.-usc-a-debate-rematch-77-years-in-the-making.ece |title=Wiley College vs. USC: A debate rematch 77 years in the making|newspaper=[[The Dallas Morning News]] |date=January 26, 2012 |access-date=August 20, 2013}}</ref>

The [[Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia]] (FARC) named Washington as one of three people (the others being directors [[Oliver Stone]] and [[Michael Moore]]) with whom they were willing to negotiate for the release of three [[defense contractor]]s the group had held captive from 2003 to 2008.<ref name="cbc">{{cite news |url= http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/colombian-rebels-ask-denzel-washington-to-help-broker-hostage-exchange-1.627352 |title= Colombian rebels ask Denzel Washington to help broker hostage exchange |website= [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC Arts]] |date= November 10, 2006 |access-date= March 28, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140328211009/http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/colombian-rebels-ask-denzel-washington-to-help-broker-hostage-exchange-1.627352 |archive-date= March 28, 2014 |df= mdy-all }}</ref> That effort by FARC was unsuccessful.<ref>Lubold, Gordon. [https://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0713/p03s03-usmi.html "How best to win US hostages' release?"], ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]'' (July 13, 2007).</ref>

On May 18, 1991, Washington was awarded an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, [[Fordham University]], for having "impressively succeeded in exploring the edge of his multifaceted talent".<ref>{{cite news |title=Commencements: Fordham Graduates Urged to Defend the Poor |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/19/nyregion/commencements-fordham-graduates-urged-to-defend-the-poor.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 19, 1991}}</ref> In 2011, he donated US$2 million to Fordham for an endowed chair of the theater department, as well as {{US$|250,000}} to establish a theater-specific scholarship at the school. He also received an honorary Doctorate of Humanities from [[Morehouse College]] on May 20, 2007<ref>[http://www.morehouse.edu/communications/releases/archives/001021.html "Morehouse Celebrates an 'End of an Era' with a Special Commencement Message from Dr. Walter E. Massey"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214224215/http://www.morehouse.edu/communications/releases/archives/001021.html |date=December 14, 2017 }}, [[Morehouse College]] [[press release]], May 15, 2007,</ref> and an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania on May 16, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/news/academy-award-tony-award-winning-actor-denzel-washington-speak-penn-s-255th-commencement|title=Award-Winning Actor Denzel Washington Delivers Penn's 255th Commencement Address}}</ref>

On October 11, 2021, the [[United States Army]] made Washington the 2021 Honorary Sergeant Major of the Army at the Annual Association of the U.S. Army conference for his work with the Fisher House Foundation (providing free homes for military families while receiving medical care). [[Sergeant Major of the Army]] [[Michael A. Grinston]] presented Washington with the award and said that Washington represented everything he was looking for in this year's honoree: humility, dedication to soldiers, and respect for the Army.<ref>{{cite web|first=Haley|last=Britzky|title=Denzel Washington is the US Army's newest (honorary) sergeant major|url=https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-denzel-washington-honorary-sergeant-major/#:~:text=Actor%2C%20director%20and%20Hollywood%20icon,24%20in%20New%20York%20City.|website=taskandpurpose.com|date=October 11, 2021|accessdate=October 12, 2021}}</ref> In 2022, Washington was supposed to receive the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]], but it was delayed.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/denzel-washington-simone-biles-presidential-medals-freedom-1235174868/|title= Denzel Washington, Simone Biles to Receive Presidential Medals of Freedom|website= [[The Hollywood Reporter]]|agency=Associated Press|date=July 1, 2022|accessdate= July 1, 2022}}</ref> Consequently, he received it in 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/04/president-biden-announces-recipients-of-the-presidential-medal-of-freedom-3/ |title=President Biden Announces Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom |publisher=[[White House]] |date=4 January 2025 |access-date=4 January 2025}}</ref>