Denzel Washington is one of the most renowned actors of our time. He has been awarded two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award, and is renowned for his roles in films such as Glory, Malcom X, Training Day, and The Equalizer. Washington has been a leading actor for over four decades, and his early films were a major contributor to his success. Washington’s first major film role was in the 1981 television movie Wilma. He played a track coach and the story of his character’s relationship with Wilma Rudolph was a critical success. Washington then made his feature film debut in the 1982 drama Carbon Copy. He played a rebellious son who returns home after his father’s death and discovers his father had an illegitimate son. In 1983, Washington starred in the drama A Soldier’s Story, playing a black soldier in a unit of segregated soldiers. This was a major critical success, and earned Washington an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He followed this up with a starring role in the 1984 romantic drama, The Killing Fields. In this film, Washington played an American journalist who is captured by the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. In 1985, Washington starred in the comedy St. Elsewhere. He played Dr. Philip Chandler, a dedicated physician working in a run-down hospital. This was a highly acclaimed television series and earned Washington an Emmy Award for his performance. Washington then starred in the 1986 thriller, Power. He played a corrupt cop who conspires with a gangster to commit a robbery. Washington has continued to be a major force in the film industry, and his early films were a major contributor to his success. Through his roles in films such as Wilma, Carbon Copy, A Soldier’s Story, The Killing Fields, St. Elsewhere, and Power, Washington established himself as a powerful actor and continues to be highly acclaimed today.
