Hailing from Mount Vernon, New York, Denzel Washington got his start as an actor in the mid-’70s, playing in student-led productions of The Emperor Jones and Othello. Prior to his big-screen role in the 1989 film Glory, he had a dozen roles under his belt. But in Glory, he won his first Oscar for “Best Actor in a Supporting Role.” Throughout the ’90s and 2000s, he continued to take on roles that would demonstrate his talent and range as an actor, including Philadelphia, Remember The Titans, Training Day and The Equalizer, along with his most recent project Gladiator II. With acting success that has accrued over the years, what is Washington’s net worth? Here’s what we know.
Denzel Washington’s Net Worth Is Based On a 40-Plus Year Career
The thespian has won two Oscars and received 10 nominations, one Saturn Award, one Black Film Award, one Board of the Governors Award, a BET Humanitarian Award and many more. Winning an Oscar for the Best Lead Actor (in Training Day) made him the second Black man (in this specific award category) to do so following Sidney Portier’s honorary award. Washington has also directed four films throughout the course of his career, in addition to producing 14 projects. Still considering himself to be “learning” as a director, Washington has proven that his talent extends beyond acting to behind the camera as well.
His most recent production work was in collaboration with his family members on Netflix’s The Piano Lesson. This brings the most recent estimation of Washington’s net worth to $300 million, after earning typically $60-$80 million per project.
Washington’s Wealth Has Afforded Him Real Estate
Washington also owns multiple homes. His first big purchase came in 1996. Washington bought a two-acre estate in Beverly Hills that was owned by former CEO of Disney, Michael Eisner. The home is an estimated 30,000 square feet with nine bedrooms and 15 bathrooms. The husband of over 40 years to actress-wife-mother Pauletta Washington and father of four also owns a home in Manhattan. He purchased the $13 million, Central Park West apartment in 2006. Some of the features include a 14,000-square-foot fitness center, an in-house restaurant with butler service, a 20-seat theater, a 75-foot swimming pool with a glass roof, and white-glove delivery service. Finally, in 2022, Washington purchased a Century City condo for $10.9 million. Spanning 8,150 square feet, the home has six bedrooms and eight bathrooms, several breakfast nooks, and multiple entertaining spaces.
Denzel Washington Believes in Giving Back
In addition to investing in homes for himself and his family, the philanthropist also pours into charity organizations and the development of youth. Washington has faithfully raised money for the Boys & Girls Club for years. He attributes giving back to the organization to the role it played in his adolescent life. Washington even covered the late Chadwick Boseman’s tuition at Oxford University during a summer theater program. In 2021, The Washington Family also pledged $1 million to the historically Black college and university (HBCU) Wiley College. Wiley College is also where The Great Debaters was filmed.
It looks as if he has no plans of slowing down when it comes to landing roles, producing and directing films in Hollywood. For that reason, Washington’s net worth of $300 million has the potential to increase.
