Denzel Washington does not consider himself a Hollywood actor.
Appearing on CBS News’ Sunday Morning (March 23), the acclaimed actor, spoke about his role alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, his co-star in the new Broadway production of Shakespeare’s Othello.
“What’s the definition of a Hollywood actor? Myself, I’m from Mt. Vernon, so I’m a ‘Mt. Vernon actor,’ ” Washington said. “I don’t know what ‘Hollywood’ means.”
“Somebody who’s famous on film? A film actor, great success on film?” Washington continued.
He then went on to share that he considers himself a theater actor more than a film actor.
“I’m a stage actor who does film; it’s not the other way around,” Washington explained. “I did stage first. I learned how to act on stage, not on film. Movies are a filmmaker’s medium. You shoot it, and then you’re gone, and they cut together and add music and do all of that. Theater is an actor’s medium. The curtain goes up, nobody can help you.”
Celebrating the recent opening of Othello, the last incarnation of the production took place in 1982 and starred James Earl Jones as Othello, Christopher Plummer as Iago, and Dianne Wiest as Desdemona. Noting that playing Othello is his dream role, Washington hopes to honor Jones in his portrayal.
“James Earl Jones was my northern star when I was in college,” he said. “He was who I wanted to be. I didn’t get to see his Othello, but I know it wasn’t as good as my 22-year-old interpretation. But you know, it’s my turn.”
“I know a lot less now,” Washington continued. “I thought I knew everything then. I didn’t really like the part, ’cause I wasn’t wise enough to understand it. Now I understand it’s really about a bond, you know, that these characters have. He loves not wisely, but too well.”
In his legendary career, Washington said that he’s “the most excited I’ve been this century” about an acting project.
“Seriously,” he said. “I haven’t been this excited about anything I’ve done as I am about this.”