Denzel Washington landed his breakthrough role in Hollywood in the medical drama “St. Elsewhere” in 1982
By Kehinde Okeowo
Ace Hollywood actor, Denzel Washington has become a gospel minister and will now preach the word of God at the age of 69.
According to Fox News Digital reports, Archbishop Christopher Bryant disclosed this at the Kelly Temple in New York City on Saturday after the actor received his minister’s license and got baptized.
Washington has prior to this admitted one cannot talk about religion in Hollywood.
“It took a while, but I’m finally here…If (God) can do this for me, there’s nothing He can’t do for you,” Washington said, according to Bryant. “The sky literally is the limit.”
Bryant also shared photos of the moment Washington gave his life to Christ in a Facebook post.
“We celebrate the addition of Minister Denzel Washington into the clergy, having received his minister’s license in the Church of God in Christ today, in a truly uplifting moment,” the post read.
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Washington recently admitted you “can’t talk” about religion in the industry.
“When you see me, you see the best I could do with what I’ve been given by my lord and savior,” the “Gladiator II” star wrote for Esquire. “I’m unafraid.”
“I don’t care what anyone thinks. See, talking about the fear part of it – you can’t talk like that and win Oscars. You can’t talk like that and party. You can’t say that in this town,” Washington added.
“I’m free now. It’s not talked about in this town. It’s not talked about. It’s not talked about. It’s not fashionable. It’s not sexy. But that doesn’t mean people in Hollywood don’t believe.
“There’s no such thing called Hollywood anyway. What does that even mean? That to me means a street called Hollywood Boulevard,” he wrote.
However, the Academy Award-winning actor isn’t sure how many other actors believe in God.
“It’s not like we all meet somewhere and discuss what we believe. So, I don’t know how many other actors have faith. I didn’t do any poll. How would I find that out? I mean, there’s no Church Actor Meetings I’ve been to.”
Washington landed his breakthrough role in the medical drama “St. Elsewhere” in 1982. He earned multiple nominations for his work on the show and eventually was able to break into film.
The veteran thespian is also known for films such as “Fences,” “Training Day,” “The Book of Eli,” “Cry Freedom” and “Malcom X.”