Denzel Washington in a black suit at the 'Equalizer 2' premiere.

Denzel Washington Says He Didn’t Want An Oscar For 'Malcolm X'

Home / News / Denzel Washington Says He Didn’t Want An Oscar For 'Malcolm X'

By Favour Adegoke on November 17, 2021 at 5:15 AM PST

Denzel Washington didn't always have an interest in acting. The actor first studied journalism at Fordham University before discovering his passion for acting. He took some time off college, and when he came back in 1977, he graduated with a B.A. in Drama and Journalism.

His movie debut was in a comedy titled "Carbon Copy" in 1981. Since then, he has been cast in hit movies like "Philadelphia," "The Book of Eli," "Man on Fire," "American Gangster," "Flight," and several others.

Article continues below advertisement
Denzel Washington is seen in Los Angeles
MEGA
Article continues below advertisement

The actor also received Oscars for his roles in "Glory" and "Training Day" and an Oscar nomination for his performance in "Fences."

Washington is one of the few actors who have bagged two Oscars, a testament to his awesome talent. However, fans feel there are even more roles he should have won an Oscar for, but he didn't. One of those roles was his portrayal of Malcolm X in the titular movie.

Article continues below advertisement

Denzel Washington's Oscar Loss In 'Malcolm X'

Washington's performance in "Malcolm X" was stellar and branded him as one of the greatest actors of his generation. His character was described as commanding, bold, compassionate, powerful, and Washington brought all that and more to the movie, so the results were awe-inspiring.

Despite this, the "Flight" actor went home without an Oscar for the Best Actor award in 1993. He lost to Al Pacino in his "Scent of a Woman."

Most fans felt like Pacino's award was to make up for his loss in 1975 when he didn't get the award for his role in "The Godfather Part II." Instead, the Best Actor award was given to Art Carney for "Harry and Toronto."

Washington won the award years later for "Training Day," but it was mostly seen as a consolation prize for the Academy's obvious snub years ago.

Article continues below advertisement

Spike Lee Vents About The Oscar Loss In 'She's Got To Have It'

"Malcolm X" director Stan Lee was one of the people who believed Washington's performance in the movie deserved that award, and he wasn't quiet about it. Lee made his grievance about the issues known years later when he referenced it in one of his tv shows.

In his Netflix series, "She's Gotta Have it," Lee spoke about the Oscar snub through the characters Nola Darling (DeWanda Wise) and her lover Mars Blackmon (Anthony Ramos). The two launched a conversation in their apartment about Malcolm X and why Washington wasn't given an Oscar for his acting.

Article continues below advertisement
A photo showing Spike Lee at a red-carpet event, sporting a dark blue suit.
MEGA
A photo showing Spike Lee at a red-carpet event, sporting a dark blue suit.
MEGA
Article continues below advertisement

"That was some shenanigans; some subterfuge; some straight skullduggery," Mars says to Nola.

"He was too black; too strong," Nola replied. "Al Pacino, though? Come on." Nola then explained that Pacino won because Hollywood tried to make up the actor's previous loss.

"So they gave Pacino his long-overdue Oscar, and then Denzel gets his makeup call Oscar for Training Day, which he should've won anyway, so the Academy still owes D another one," Nora continued.

Why Denzel Washington Didn't Mind The Oscar Loss

Compared to everyone else, Washington took the Oscar loss considerably well.

The actor revealed that he wouldn't have been as happy if he had won that Oscar because he felt like it was Pacino's time. He already had an Oscar for his role in "Glory," whereas Pacino was still lacking.

In an interview with Playboy, he said, "I was already 1 for 2 or something. When he won, was 1 for 3, batting .333. I was OK with that. When I didn't win some of these awards, other people were angrier about it than I was." Washington added.

"I know it's a cliché, but I genuinely feel good about being invited to the party."

Article continues below advertisement

Why Denzel Washington Was Boycotted For Another Oscar

Washington in "Philadelphia" was another amazing performance that fans could not get over. Here, the actor starred beside Tom Hanks but wasn't nominated for an Oscar like Hanks was.

In the same Playboy interview, the multiple-time Oscar-winning actor explained why he wasn't nominated and why it didn't bother him as much as it should have.

Denzel Washington all bundled up while on the set of his upcoming directed movie Journal for Jordan in NYC
MEGA

"The studio had two guys who could be up for the lead," Washington said. "And they did not want to split the vote. The movie was about Tom's character, and they wanted to get behind him."

He also said he felt it was Hanks' time because he already had an Oscar. "I didn't get nominated, but I'd been nominated three times and won already. Tom was known for comedy at the time, and he'd just done A League of Their Own. Philadelphia was one of his first serious roles. Did it hurt? Sure, but I never let it eat me up."

Article continues below advertisement