Denzel Washington

Birth Details:
December 28, 1954
Mount Vernon, New York, USA

With both his Sun and Mercury in Capricorn this consummate actor is as serious and disciplined in real life as he is in the movies.

'If I am a cup maker, I'm interested in making the best cup I possibly can. My effort goes into that cup, not what people think about it.'

Denzel Washington's Tarot Reading

Sun in Capricorn:

Born Denzel Jermaine Washington, Jr. in Mount Vernon, New York, to Reverend Denzel and Lennis Washington, he has a brother, David and a sister, Lorice. Denzel was a student at Oakwood Academy in New Windsor, New York. In 1977, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism at Fordham University, Bronx, New York, where he was also very involved in student drama. After graduation, he moved to San Francisco to train at the American Conservatory Theater.

He appeared in several TV shows before landing his first film role in 1981 in Carbon Copy with George Segal. In 1982 he got the part of Dr. Chandler on the television drama, St. Elsewhere. He was one of just a few actors to be with the show for it's entire six-year run. In 1989 he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his part in Edward Zwick's Glory.

On June 25, 1983, Denzel married Pauletta Pearson. They have four children, John David, Katia and twins, Malcolm and Olivia.

In 1987 he played the part of South African anti-apartheid activist, Stephen Biko in Richard Attenborough's production of Cry Freedom. For this, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

In 1992 Washington literally inhabited the role of Malcolm X in Spike Lee's movie of the same name. His performance as Malcolm X stands at Number Seventeen on Premiere Magazine's 2006 list of the 100 Greatest Performances of All Time. He has two films on the American Film Institute's list of the 100 Most Inspiring Movies of All Time, Glory and Philadelphia.

In 1999, Washington played Reuben Carter in The Hurricane, directed by Norman Jewison, and in 2000 he portrayed Herman Boone in Boaz Yakin's Remember the Titans. Other major films include The Pelican Brief, Crimson Tide, The Preacher's Wife and Courage Under Fire. 2002 garnered Washington an Academy Award for Best Actor for his part in Training Day. About his many roles, he says, 'Working on Cry Freedom was wonderful in that I got to go to Africa for the first time, and that was an amazing thing. But in terms of the role itself, I don't have a favorite.' 'I've made 26 films in 20 years,' says Washington, 'I've made three films with Spike and I've made two with Norman. I will continue to work with both of them. I love working with both of them.'

Driven to prove himself, Denzel Washington's work, his position in the world and his contributions to society are very important to him. He supports a number of charities, including the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and an AIDS hospice called Gathering Place. He was once a member of the Boys Club and now represents the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

He will persevere through enormous hardship and frustration in order to reach a goal. His current goal is to direct, and in 2002, he got the chance with Antwone Fisher. Says Denzel, 'I just directed my first film and ... I'm just enjoying life. I have a new respect for filmmakers, that's for sure, 'cause it's not easy. If I'm allowed to, I'll be directing for the rest of my life. I love the process. The last few years I've been saying I was ready to quit. It wasn't that interesting to me. Now that I'm directing, it's all new again.'

He may not readily show his inner feelings, appearing to be in control at all times. But he has said, 'My career for a long time has been about the business of doing something about the anger that I felt, and through the roles I play, I am not as upset because I understand what I'm up against. One good thing about acting in film is that it's good therapy.'

He is highly conscientious and even as a child possessed great maturity. Very much a realist, he feels that the ultimate test of a concept is its practical usefulness. He is detached and objective, unswayed by emotional dramatics. Often authoritarian but strictly fair, Denzel has a great respect for tradition and will play by the rules.

Denzel Washington is not easy to get to know intimately. Proving the point, he has said, 'People don't come over to the house. My wife socializes, not me. I don't have a lot of friends.' Never superficial, he is a modest person who describes himself as such: 'I've worked in a factory. I was a garbage man. I worked in a post office. It's not that long ago. I like to think that I'm just a regular guy'.

Giving himself and others permission to be spontaneous and silly, or even to be weak and vulnerable, isn't easy for Denzel. His strong points are his depth and thoroughness. His faults include a tendency to be inflexible and too serious.

Mercury in Capricorn indicates that with a natural skepticism often bordering on cynicism, he will insist upon being shown facts to back up any statement. Anyone seeking advice from Denzel Washington is guaranteed an unbiased evaluation. He is a good strategist and will patiently follow a practical path that inevitably leads to success. Intellectual and scholarly, he enjoys quiet time alone for reading and reflection.

Venus in Scorpio assures that Denzel forms intense emotional attachments and desires a profound and passionate union with his beloved. In apparent contradiction to other areas of his chart, Venus Opposition Mars/Jupiter tells us that he is rich in emotion and has the ability to express it well. He has a knack for making others feel good and is likely to enjoy a harmonious home life. In 1995, he and Pauletta renewed their wedding vows while they were in South Africa. The minister was none other than Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Mars in Pisces unveils Washington as a person who is noncompetitive and something of a pacifist. He will give something up rather than fight for it because he does not have a strong ego drive for personal achievement or for winning at the expense of someone else. Being first, being best, being on top doesn't mean much to him and he can be quite happy in a supporting role, working for the benefit of others or for a cause. Says Denzel, 'My mother used to tell me, 'Man gives the award, God gives the reward.' I don't need another plaque.'Jupiter in Cancer gives Denzel a talent for making others feel accepted and comfortable. He has a gift for breaking down feelings of alienation, allowing others to feel included. He has a compassionate side that wants to take care of everybody. Creating a supportive atmosphere that is nurturing to himself and to others is one of his many strengths. Home and heritage are important to him and he very likely maintains close connections to his past.

Saturn in Scorpio reiterates that trusting others and letting himself be known in a deep way doesn't come easily for Denzel. Being a mentor, a helpful, encouraging force in the life of someone less experienced is a way for him to open up. Obviously in tune with his planets, Washington says, 'I've worked with children all my life.'