If you could have played the lead in any
film in history, what would it be?
>> I played the lead in every film.
>> [laughter]
>> Denzel Washington is known for
powerhouse performances, but what people
don't expect, he's absolutely hilarious.
From unforgettable press junkets to
sharp one-liners, these are the moments
that prove he's just as funny as he is
iconic.
>> My whole life, like my mother gassed me
up and told me I look like this man. You
get what I'm saying? So
>> How much if you had a penny
anytime they said you look like Denzel?
>> I'll be a trillionaire
>> [laughter]
>> like for real.
>> Dude, it's true. I'm telling you.
>> to god, no [ __ ]
You
>> So like this being
>> So mom, should we tell them?
>> [laughter]
>> Being convincing is the ultimate sign of
a great actor, but there are times when
it doesn't always work in your favor.
>> I did a play called Checkmates, 1988.
And same play where the woman whispered
to me. In the play I was a bad guy. I I
abused my wife and I psychologically.
And then finally there's a scene where I
slap her and she pulls a gun out and I'm
like I do that, right? So people are
watching the show and they're into the
show. So she says what she says, I say
what I say, I slap her, she pulls a gun,
I do like that and somebody says,
"Shoot." A woman says, "Shoot him. Shoot
that
I mean
>> [applause]
>> "Shoot him. Shoot him. No,
shoot that
>> Oh.
>> Auditioning is just a standard part of
making it in Hollywood. A right of
passage Denzel has well and truly left
in the rearview mirror.
>> You must be out that stage, right? It's
like you're not reading scripts and
auditioning, right?
>> [laughter]
>> It's been about 40 years for that, love.
About 40 years. Yeah, I haven't I
haven't auditioned for a movie in
>> For what?
>> I don't know if it's 40 exactly. I won
an Academy Award
in 1989.
How many years ago is that?
>> So that would be 35?
>> I'm sure that nobody asked me to
audition after that.
>> That's crazy.
>> I may be wrong. I may be wrong. I may be
wrong. I don't
>> I mean, do you miss that?
>> Auditioning?
>> Yeah.
>> No.
>> You are a winner, sir. Two Oscars, two
of them.
>> But I lost eight times.
>> Yes, you have lost more than you won.
>> See?
>> Yeah.
>> That's the first time.
>> [laughter]
>> I lost
eight times.
>> Eight losses at the Oscars would break
most people, but for Denzel, it just
meant finding something else worth
taking home.
>> Let me tell you a Sean Connery story.
He was up for The Untouchables. I was up
that year for, I think it was Cry
Freedom.
He comes out to present an award and got
a 3-minute standing ovation.
>> Uh.
>> For presenting an award.
>> Wow.
>> I went to get the coats.
>> [laughter]
>> I said, "I'm going to get the coats cuz
I know I ain't winning tonight."
>> [laughter]
>> So, so, so now we're leaving. I'm
leaving without the Oscar, right?
But as I'm leaving, I see the back of
where they're doing the they're getting
the the meal ready, the food ready for
the for the governor's ball.
>> Yeah, yeah.
>> I see a big tray. I'm like, "I'm leaving
here with something."
You know what I mean? I'm from around
the way. I'm leaving with something.
Then my mother told me to get the flower
arrangement.
>> [laughter]
>> It's a true story.
>> But that wasn't just a one-time thing
because as it turns out, Denzel brings
that same energy everywhere he goes.
>> Double dolly shot.
>> The dolly, man. Your classic shot. Your
classic shot.
>> Yeah, yeah. Keep talking. Keep talking.
>> Yo, I'm getting robbed by Denzel, man.
>> [laughter]
>> Hey, you know that that watch is gone.
You know that.
>> You can take him out of New York, you
can't take the New York out of him, you
know. You dig? That's It look better on
you anyway, OG.
>> I hope it doesn't fit. I hope it doesn't
fit.
>> [laughter]
>> Really robbed me for my [ __ ]
watch, yo.
>> No, I didn't, man. You gave it to me.
We got witnesses. It's all on film. You
gave me this.
I'll rob you later.
>> part about that
>> Let me ask you this.
>> I ain't got no money.
>> [laughter]
>> I got
Put me in the movie. I got jokes.
>> Sure, Denzel's a funny guy, but he's not
the only Washington with jokes. Because
as it turns out, his sons have been
studying his playbook a little too well.
>> I I don't do bits and I don't do stick,
and I normally don't really do fan
questions, but I came across two
gentlemen in Chicago who asked me a
question about your performance, and it
was such a good question that I did not
want to take credit for it. I said,
"Well, put it on camera and I'll I'll
show it to him." Do you mind if I show
you his question?
>> Mr. Washington,
I have a question.
>> Wait a minute.
>> Do you do all your own stunts?
>> Got my two sons.
>> But don't let the pranks fool you
because when it came to the last laugh,
there was never any doubt who it
belonged to.
>> What is it like now that the kids are,
as you say, mostly out of the house? So,
what is that like? Is it a transition? I
mean
>> I tell you what,
there's a difference between a home and
a house.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
>> When your kids leave, it's just a house.
>> Yeah. That's right.
>> It's not a home. So, it's
>> It's great. No.
>> [applause]
>> Denzel has delivered some of the most
memorable lines in cinema history, but
there are certain places where even he
knows better than to repeat them.
>> Denzel, before you leave, can you uh hit
us off with that King Kong line?
>> King Kong
I'm putting cases on all you. [laughter]
>> Can you curse on it? You can't curse on
it, can you?
>> No, no, you can't.
>> I'm putting cases You'll be playing
basketball in Pelican Bay when I get two
programs.
>> [laughter]
>> 23-hour lockdown. You think you can do
this to me, Shaq? You think you can do
this to me?
>> [laughter]
>> Oh my god.
>> I appreciate you, brother.
>> Well, he you got me, I got
>> What happens when the greatest actor and
the greatest basketball player end up in
the same room? Turns out, it's exactly
as good as it sounds.
>> Who is Who's greatest basketball player
of all time in your opinion?
>> Whoa.
Oh, man, that's hard. I was at the
Chicago Bulls game with Spike Lee and
Michael Jordan made that famous
>> [cheering]
>> shot. I was there.
And we went out to dinner that night
afterwards.
And he's famous.
>> [laughter]
>> I was doing security work. He's famous.
Michael Jordan's famous.
>> You went out to dinner with Michael
Jordan after that game?
>> that game and cuz the next game they
were coming to LA to play.
And I was trying to get him drunk,
trying to get him off his
>> [laughter]
>> That's a Lakers fan, yeah. Take him out
to dinner.
>> It didn't work. Did you buy him shots?
>> Did he drink?
>> He he acted like he would put it to his
lip and then put it back down.
>> Oh, very interesting. So maybe he's the
greatest of all time.
>> He was that night.
>> If your plane crashed on a deserted
island and you could have one thing with
you, what would it be?
>> Another plane.
>> [laughter]
>> And on that note
>> [laughter]
>> There aren't many roles Denzel
Washington couldn't pull off and based
on this clip, this hip-hop icon is well
within his range.
>> I was in
the studio
uh with with Lenny Kravitz.
And he was doing something with with
Jay, Jay-Z. And he's you know, he talk
>> [laughter]
>> Yeah, D, I'm going to play this for you,
D.
>> [laughter]
>> Yeah, that's how he That's how he is,
yeah. You know, I'm going to put this
song for you, man. Just tell me what you
think. Or he's like, so what you think,
D? I was like,
play that again.
>> But his real problem, Nelson Mandela had
just spotted someone way more
interesting and it wasn't Denzel.
>> I had breakfast with Archbishop Desmond
Tutu and lunch with Nelson Mandela. So
he he meets me and my wife and he
immediately says to her, "Oh, I see why
he's the success that he has because of
you." Everything was about because of
her. And she's just like
And of course I'm like
>> yeah.
>> I'm like I'm like okay, you know, you
did a few things, Nelson, but you know
>> [laughter]
>> No.
>> Describe your job in three words.
>> I'm unemployed now.
>> He's always been willing to invest in
talent, but don't mistake generosity for
charity. He wants every cent back and
then some.
>> I understand from Chadwick Boseman
himself that you in some way are
actually responsible for him being Black
Panther.
>> Am I?
>> Yeah. He said
>> Oh, you cuz I get I paid for him to go
to school?
>> How did that come about?
>> I didn't know him. Felicia Rashad
I'm going to I'm going to screw this
story up, but Felicia Rashad was was
helping kids and she called a different
people and she called me and I said,
"Yeah, I'll sponsor whoever." And she
said, "Well, you're sponsoring or or he
called to thank me." That's how I found
out it was him. "You're sponsoring this
kid, Chadwick Boseman guy." And I said,
"Yeah, okay, Chad." I want my money
back. I went to the uh premiere for
Black Panther here in New York and I saw
Ryan Coogler and and and Chad. He said,
"Oh, you know, I just wanted to thank
you for paying." I said, "Yeah, that's
why I'm here. I'm not here
I'm not here to see the I'm not here I I
like the movie, Black Panther, yeah,
Wakanda forever, but
>> [laughter]
>> where's my money?
>> Mr. Washington, I could talk to you all
day. I just want you to know, sir, you
and I have been doing this for a long
time and I appreciate I'm glad it's not
my last day on this earth, but if it
were
you and me.
>> A long time. I got on underwear older
than you.
>> You should really change your underwear.
>> Yeah, I think so. I will now. How old
What are you? 40 I'm looking at your
hair. 46.
>> Oh, I'm 36.
>> Oh, why you you're the one talking about
you're so old.
>> Oh, I I just said we've been doing this
a long time.
>> That ain't long.
>> We've been doing
>> American Gangster is on
sorry.
>> Wait a minute. You didn't do it you So
you were 20 you
>> I started I started doing this when I
was 18.
>> Oh.
>> Yes, sir.
>> Okay.
>> [laughter]
>> Cardi B
>> Bodak Yellow
>> Uh you think I don't know?
>> [screaming]
>> You like Cardi B?
>> What she say, I give him whatever he
want, he buy me Yves Saint Laurent.
And a new whip.
You think I don't know?
>> Uh how she say it though?
>> I give him whatever he want, he buy me a
new Yves Saint Laurent and a new whip.
So
>> [cough]
>> I like Cardi B. You know what I'm
saying? I like her.
>> [laughter]
>> Man.
>> I love her.
>> You love her, right?
Oh, [ __ ]
>> Most stars show up to a premiere to
promote the film. Denzel showed up with
a completely different agenda in mind.
>> Paul Mescal. He's not as good an actor
as me.
>> [laughter]
>> They're going to change the name of the
movie from Gladiator to Pedro 1.
Starring Pedro, written by Pedro,
directed by Pedro, edited by Pedro.
>> I only take direction from this guy.
No way, no way, no way. I don't start it
No, no, no. I only listen to him. So, so
but but I'm I'm glad that a trilogy is
in my future and I hope you're up for
it.
>> I'm not going to be in it.
>> No matter how fast your career is
rising, the moment you meet the
blueprint of modern acting, you're
instantly just a fan again and Ashton
Sanders is no different.
>> Good performance. Good performance.
>> Yo, thank you so much.
>> deserves
>> Oh, oh, hey.
You good? Where you from?
>> I'm from LA.
>> Oh, yeah?
>> Want to race?
>> Want to race? I might be doing a movie
with you soon, man.
>> Oh, yeah?
>> Yeah, for sure.
>> I'll see you at work.
>> Yeah, for sure.
>> Congratulations, Denzel.
>> Denzel.
>> Is that a dream come true, man?
>> That was crazy.
That
>> I think I'm crying right now.
>> That was Denzel Washington, yo.
>> You.
>> Okay, so y'all got all of this on camera
like that's
>> He's mastered acting, producing, and
directing, but his most surprising
talent turns out therapy might just top
them all.
>> For any aspiring actors who want to
break the boundaries, who want to push
doors, exactly what you have done, what
advice do you have?
>> Learn to act on stage.
Don't rely on social media. Put it down,
turn it off, shut up, be quiet, learn,
read, relax, get better. First part of
your life you learn, second part of your
life you earn, third part of your life
you return.
>> Can you be my therapist?
>> I already am.
I like that color. What is What What
color would you call that?
>> Maybe a clementine?
>> A clementine? That's a color?
>> Clementine orange.
>> Oh.
>> Yeah.
>> You say that like we should all know
that. Oh, yeah, clementine orange. I
wear that all the time.
>> Where do award-winning actors keep their
Oscar? The more you have, the easier the
answer.
>> Here's the most egotistical answer you
could ever get. People say, "Where do
you keep your Oscar?" I said, "Next to
the other one."
>> [laughter]
>> And they're lonely.
>> [laughter]
>> Robbie, for you, where do you keep
yours?
>> Uh by itself.
>> [laughter]
>> Somebody else said that you would If If
there was a movie made, that you would
be a great Barack Obama. Did he mention
that, or did somebody else mention it?
>> Uh you know, I don't know where it
started from. I think someone asked him,
and and and he
mentioned Will Smith, I think, as well.
And
uh you know, you know.
>> [laughter]
[applause]
>> I hope you don't mind me mentioning
this. You have a big birthday coming up
next month.
>> 70.
>> 70 years old.
>> Will you do something very special? Is
that out of your hands?
>> in the mirror and pose.
>> [laughter]
>> 70.
You got a microphone.
>> Oh, that's a mic.
>> There you go. You're right, my man.
>> Sorry, that's a mic.
>> Here you go. You can have that.
>> That's what I get.
>> It's all going to your jacket now.
>> to your jacket.
>> Yeah, now it's on inside out. This is a
disaster.
>> This is really what I'm going to do at
70
>> [laughter]
[applause]
>> It's funny.
>> That's what I'll be doing, right? That's
what I'll be doing at 70.
>> I didn't think you seemed 70 at all, and
now suddenly I'm feeling differently.
Yeah.
>> I'll be Yeah, I'll be
I'll be looking for my keys at 70, right
there.
>> [laughter]
>> And judging from Ryan's story of working
with him on set, it's not hard to see
why.
>> I did a a movie with a uh
a guy who's a very serious actor uh
named Denzel Washington. And uh
doesn't really like to rehearse a lot.
Just goes in there and just nails it,
but you just get like one or two takes.
That's it. And uh his character's dying
on the ground. It's very emotional. He's
crying, and I'm sitting there and I'm
holding him, and suddenly I hear Come
fly with me.
Let's fly. Let's fly away. The phone is
untucked underneath him, and I guess it
hit that like Siri button or something,
and heard play come fly with me. And
they called cut, and and the the first
AD brought it out, "Whose
phone is that?" Denzel goes, "Whose
phone was that?" And I stand up, I look
at all the stunt guys, and I go, "Whose
the phone was that?"
>> There are questions he simply doesn't
entertain, and this interviewer found
out exactly where that line is, and what
happens when you step over it.
>> Mr. Washington, you're you're here in DC
during an interesting time with the
transition
uh in the White House. Just wondering
who you wound up supporting in the
election and why.
>> Go ahead. Go ahead now.
>> Fences.
>> Fences.
>> [laughter]
>> Well, that was the question, who who you
who you wound up supporting in the
election, presidential election.
>> None of your business.
>> None of my business?
>> None of your business.
>> Well, I'm only asking cuz the story was
online. but but that's okay.
>> And when a reporter brought up online
rumors, he had no idea that he was about
to get educated in real time.
>> You were the subject of a fake news
story.
>> Oh, yeah, what did they say? I was
running for president? No. No, I voted
No, what did they say?
>> You switched your support
>> I switched the Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah,
yeah. Yeah.
>> What do you make of all the fake news
and it affects
>> If you don't read the newspaper, you're
uninformed. If you do read it, you're
misinformed.
That's the great question. What is the
long-term effect of too much
information?
One of the effects is the need to be
first, not even to be true anymore.
So, what is the responsibility you all
have
to be to tell the truth, not just to be
first, but to tell the truth? We live in
a society now where it's just first. Who
cares? Get it out there. We don't care
who it hurts. We don't care who we
destroy. We don't care if it's true.
Just say it. Sell it.
>> I never had a What do you I don't even
know what you call it.
>> An Instagram account. Never had one.
Linked What's the other name? Linked?
>> Linked?
>> Linked Twitter
>> I don't have any of those things.
>> You don't have a LinkedIn?
>> No.
>> [laughter]
>> No.
I have a Cadillac.
>> And on that note, we're out.
>> Very good.
>> Thanks for watching.