The One Film Legend Denzel Washington Says Is His True Hero

Denzel Washington is a household name for his powerhouse performances in front of the lens, but he has also carved out a significant legacy from the director’s chair. His journey behind the scenes began in 2002 with the biographical drama Antwone Fisher, where he managed the dual challenge of directing while playing the supporting role of psychiatrist Jerome Davenport.

Since that debut, Washington has stepped back into the director’s role for three more features, proving that his creative vision extends far beyond just his own acting marks. While promoting his 2007 historical drama The Great Debaters, Washington opened up about what draws him to this specific side of the industry.

He told Reader’s Digest that a big part of the appeal is the chance to watch others succeed and to share his years of experience with younger talent. For him, the process is less about the title and more about the collaboration and the joy of helping new actors find their voice.

Interestingly, Washington revealed that he looks to a specific Hollywood icon when planning the future of his own career. He called Clint Eastwood his hero, noting how the legendary star managed to transition from a massive acting career into a world-class director almost flawlessly.

Washington sees Eastwood’s path as a blueprint for how to eventually step away from the spotlight to focus on helping others find their footing and leading from the set. Eastwood’s own transition set a incredibly high bar, moving from his early days in the western series Rawhide and the Dollars Trilogy to directing his first film, Play Misty For Me, in 1971.

Like Washington, Eastwood often starred in his own projects, creating a unique hybrid career that led to masterpieces like Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby. By following this example, Washington is building a legacy that is just as much about the stories he tells as the performances he gives.

As of early this year, Denzel Washington remains one of the busiest and most respected figures in the world of film. He recently wrapped up 2025 with the release of Highest 2 Lowest, a stylish crime thriller directed by Spike Lee.

The film, which is an English-language remake of the Akira Kurosawa classic High and Low, stars Washington alongside Jeffrey Wright and A$AP Rocky. While some critics suggested it might be the final collaboration between Lee and Washington, the actor’s schedule shows he is far from finished.

Looking ahead, Washington is set to star in the high-stakes heist film Here Comes the Flood, which is scheduled for release on Netflix later this year. The movie features a massive ensemble cast including Robert Pattinson, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Danai Gurira.

Additionally, he is preparing for a highly anticipated historical epic about the Carthaginian general Hannibal, reuniting with director Antoine Fuqua for what many are calling a Lawrence of Arabia-scale production for Netflix. Washington is also returning for two more Equalizer sequels, with reports suggesting that The Equalizer 4 may be in the early stages of development for a possible 2027 release.

Do you think Denzel Washington’s move into more directing and historical epics like Hannibal is a sign that he is ready to finally step away from his legendary action roles? Share your thoughts in the comments.