What is Denzel Washington’s net worth? Who is Denzel Washington’s wife?
Introduction
Denzel Washington is an American actor who is best known for his roles in The Equalizer series, The Book of Eli, Flight, Inside Man, Man on Fire, American Gangster, Malcolm X, and Training Day.
Biography
He was born on December 28, 1954, in Mount Vernon, New York, as Denzel Hayes Washington Jr.
His mom, Lennis Washington, was a beautician. and his dad was a Pentecostal minister. His mother passed away in June 2021, at age 97.
At age 7, Denzel appeared in a talent show at his local Boys & Girls Club.
At 14, Washington was sent away to Oakland Military Academy in Windsor.
In 1977, Denzel graduated from Fordham University in New York City.
In 1981, he made his feature film debut in the social comedy Carbon Copy.
Denzel Washington poses for a portrait in 1987 in Los Angeles – @Getty
In 1990, he won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in Glory (1989), an epic historical war drama film which was directed by Edward Zwick.
In 1993, Denzel starred in The Pelican Brief with Julia Roberts.
Wins Best Actor At The 74th Oscars (2002) For Training Day
In 2001, he performed in the crime thriller Training Day, as Alonzo Harris, a corrupt police officer who is assigned a young police officer (Ethan Hawke) to teach. For this role, Washington won his second Oscar.
In 2004, Washington portrayed Ben Marco in director Jonathan Demme’s update of the 1962 thriller The Manchurian Candidate.
Los Angeles, California, 1990 – @Getty
In 2006, Denzel played in Inside Man, a bank heist thriller co-starring Clive Owen and Jodie Foster.
In 2010, he landed a role in The Book of Eli, a post-apocalyptic drama that grossed over $157 million against a $80 million budget.
In 2013, Washington was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Flight (2012).
The Equalizer
In 2014, he portrayed Robert McCall, a former Marine and retired DIA/DCS officer, in The Equalizer. It is a vigilante action-thriller film based on the 1980s TV series of the same name. It grossed $192 million worldwide.
Denzel Washington accepts the Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture award for “The Great Debaters” onstage – @Getty
In 2018, Denzel retained his character in The Equalizer 2. It grossed $190 million worldwide.
Gladiator II
In 2024, the Equalizer star starred in Gladiator II — the sequel to Gladiator (2000). He played Macrinus, a wealthy trader. Gladiator II grossed $461.9 million worldwide.
In 2025, Washington was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Wife
In 1983, Denzel Washington and Pauletta Washington (née Pearson) married.
Denzel Washington and Pauletta Washington during New York Opening of “Mo’ Better Blues” at Ziegfeld Theater in New York City – 1990 – @Getty
“I’m thankful and I have been blessed beyond measure with the greatest woman in the world,” Denzel said in 2023 about his wife.
They first met Pauletta on the set of the movie, 1977’s Wilma.
She is a classically trained pianist as well as an actress.
On July 28, 1984, their first son, John David Washington, was born in LA.
On November 27, 1986, they welcomed daughter, Katia Washington. She has worked as a producer for The Equalizer, Malcolm & Marie, and Pieces of a Woman.
“Acting is just a way of making a living, the family is life,” Denzel said in an interview.
On April 10, 1991, Denzel and Pauletta welcomed twins Malcolm and Olivia Washington. His son Malcolm was named in honor of Malcolm X.
In 1995, Washington and his wife renewed their vows with a ceremony in South Africa.
September 29, 2003 – @Getty
In 2005, the two were awarded the BET Humanitarian Award.
“There are a lot of prayers for strength for staying in a forgiveness mode and both parts, mine and his,” Pauletta confessed at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival about their marriage.
Height
Denzel Washington is 6′ 0½″ (1.84 m) tall.
Denzel Washington – Net Worth
So, how much is Denzel Washington worth?
October 2, 2006 at Providence in New York City – @Getty
Washington earned most of his wealth from performing in 63 movies and TV series. He commands about $20 million per film.
Denzel was paid:
- $20 million for The Equalizer 3;
- $40 million for The Little Things (double his usual salary);
- $20 million for Man on Fire and Out of Time;
- $40 million for American Gangster (he was paid twice – once because the project was initially canceled due to “time constraints and creative elements” and Denzel had a “pay or play” deal, and the second time for actually playing in the movie);
- $12 million for Training Day, The Seige, and Fallen;
- $10 million for The Hurricane and Courage Under Fire.
“I’ve taken every job for money,” The “Glory” and “Training Day” star said (maybe joking, what do you think?) in an interview with The New York Times. “There’s no job I’ve taken where I went: You guys just keep the money. I’m just so glad to be an actor.”
Therefore, Denzel Washington has an estimated net worth of $350 million.
Real estate
December 11, 2007 in Hollywood – @Getty
In 2000, Denzel sold Toluca Lake‘s 6,300-square-foot home for $1.9 million.
In 1996, he paid $6.5 million for two lots in Beverly Hills. Since then, Washington has built a 30,000-square-foot mansion. Amenities include — an illuminated tennis court, a large pool, and a fountain-studded motor court.
In 2006, Washington bought an apartment in Manhattan for $13 million.
In 2022, Denzel and his wife invested almost $11 million in 8,150 square feet with six bedrooms and eight bathrooms in a mega-condo in Century City.
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I am Bulgarea Candin Stefan, and I founded FamousPeopleToday.com in 2018. I’m using my bachelor’s degree in economics and 9 years of experience in blogging to guide millions of people through the incredibly complex world of celebrity net worths.