HUMILITY OVER HYPE

Denzel Washington Expresses Gratitude in Face of Oscars Snub

The actor was passed over for his role in “Gladiator II.”

On Saturday, acclaimed actor Denzel Washington, 70, told The New York Times he was taking it in stride after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declined to nominate him for an Oscar in Gladiator II. “I was sitting there smiling, going: Look at you. On the day you didn’t get a nomination for an Oscar, you’re working on ‘Othello’ on Broadway," he told the outlet. He continued, mimicking those who would be dismayed at being overlooked: “Are you kidding me? Awww. Oh, I’m so upset. Listen, I’ve been around too long. I’m getting wiser, working on talking less and learning to understand more — and that’s exciting.” Washington credits his mother with teaching him lessons about humility. While The Equalizer star was not nominated for an Oscar, Gladiator II was nominated for the 2024 Academy Award’s Best Achievement in Costume Design. The Times placed Washington at the top of its list of the greatest actors of the 21st century in 2020.