After nearly 50 years on the stage and screen, actor Denzel Washington has a lot to be proud of, including breaking box office records, winning two Academy Awards, three Golden Globes, a Tony and more. But over the weekend, the “Gladiator II” star achieved another milestone – and he’s calling this one his “greatest accomplishment.”
Washington, who has always been open about his faith, was baptized on Dec. 21 at the historic Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ in Harlem. He also received his minister’s license during the ceremony, which in some congregations, is an important first step towards becoming ordained.
Washington, who is preparing to celebrate his 70th birthday on December 28, addressed the congregation in a gray t-shirt and sweats during the church service. He told a story of a woman he met as a young man who he believes made an important prophecy.
“Ms. Ruth Green, 50 years ago, I was 20 when I sat in my mother’s beauty parlor, and Ms. Ruth Green was known to have the gift of prophecy... She said, ‘Boy, you are going to travel the world and preach to millions of people,’” he said. “Fifty years later, look at me.”
Washington’s wife of over 40 years, Pauletta, was there to witness her husband’s baptism. According to Page Six, she told her husband how proud she was of him for taking this important step forward in his faith.
““Forty-six years later, here I’m still standing next to him as only God will have it,” she said. “So, I’m very proud of you. You are the head of our house and you have set a great example for our children, who are now adult children who know the difference because we have shown them the difference.”
In an interview for the Winter 2024 issue of Esquire, Washington opened up about how his faith has helped him in an industry where being faithful isn’t always popular.
“It’s my job to lift God up, to give Him praise, to make sure that anyone and everyone I speak to the rest of my life understands that He is responsible for me. When you see me, you see the best I could do with what I’ve been given by my lord and savior,” he said. “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..”
While addressing the congregation during his baptism, Washington encouraged listeners to stay rooted in their faith.
“It took a while but I’m here,” he said. “If [God] can do this for me, there’s nothing He can’t do for you. The sky literally is the limit.”