Denzel Washington Says Oscars Don’t Matter: “On My Last Day, Oscars Aren’t Going To Do Me a Bit of Good”

Denzel Washington is one of the most popular actors alive, and it’s no surprise he has won and been nominated for several Oscars over the years. He won Best Supporting Actor for Glory in 1990 and Best Actor for Training Day in 2002.

Other nominations include Cry Freedom (1988), Malcolm X (1993), The Hurricane (2000), Flight (2013), Fences (2017), Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2018), and The Tragedy of Macbeth (2022).

Now, Washington is back on screens with his new movie Highest 2 Lowest, which is already getting great reviews from critics. Directed by Spike Lee, the 2025 neo-noir crime thriller is an English-language remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film High and Low, itself based on Ed McBain’s 1959 novel King’s Ransom.

The movie stars Denzel Washington, Ilfenesh Hadera, Jeffrey Wright, ASAP Rocky, and Ice Spice, marking her first film role. This film also marks the first collaboration between Lee and Washington since Inside Man in 2006.

While promoting the film on Jake’s Takes, Washington talked about Oscars and made it clear that awards are not his priority.

“I don’t do it for Oscars, I really don’t care about that kind of stuff. You know I’ve been at this for a long time and there are times when I won and shouldn’t have won and didn’t win and should have won. Man gives the award, God gives the award. I’m not that interested in Oscars. You know, people ask me ‘Well, where do you keep it?’ I said next to the other one,” he explained.

“I’m not bragging I’m just telling you how I feel about it. On my last day, ain’t going to do me a bit of good,” he added.

This isn’t the first time Washington has downplayed the Oscars. During this year’s ceremony, fans joked that he had been snubbed for Gladiator II. Washington responded playfully, saying, “Awww. Oh, I’m so upset. I’m happy for all that did, and I’m happy with what I’m doing.”

He went on to say that at this stage in his career, awards don’t matter as much. Having been in the industry for decades, Washington said his priorities have shifted, and he now focuses more on personal growth. “Wisdom comes from understanding, and for me, that means focusing on learning and listening more rather than talking. I find this more exciting than any awards recognition,” he said.

Washington’s attitude shows that even the most decorated actors in Hollywood can focus on their craft and personal growth rather than chasing trophies.

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