<p id=”par-1_39″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/actors/”>Actor</a> Denzel Washington is one of the highest-paid film stars in Hollywood, resulting in <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/what-is-denzel-washingtons-net-worth.html/”>his massive net worth</a>. But as much as he’s worked for his money, Washington questioned if he and other A-listers deserved what they brought in.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-how-denzel-washington-once-felt-about-his-acting-salary”>How Denzel Washington once felt about his acting salary</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/money-denzel-washington.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Denzel Washington posing at the American Film Institute’s 47th Life Achievement Award Gala.” class=”wp-image-3743925″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Denzel Washington | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-2_56″>After years of proving his worth as a movie star, Washington was able to command the kind of salaries reserved for Hollywood’s top stars. He reportedly found himself making $10-$20 million per film. It was a milestone the Training Day star was proud to achieve since it placed him in the same category as other A-listers.</p>
<p id=”par-3_82″>“Yes, in the sense that I’ve reached a certain level in the profession where my value as an actor is equated with the other top stars in the business,” he once told <a href=”https://www.gamesradar.com/the-total-film-interview-denzel-washington/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Games Radar</a>. “For me, the money is secondary to the work, and it always will be. But it’s very pleasant all the same to be in a position to command that kind of paycheck. This is a business, no matter how much we may preach to you about our art!”</p>
<p id=”par-4_35″>But as happy as Washington was to receive his earnings, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/how-many-oscars-has-denzel-washington-won.html/”>the Oscar winner</a> seemed like he’d do just fine without the huge paycheck. The real reward for his work was the respect from his peers.</p>
<p id=”par-5_63″>“None of us are worth what we get,” Washington once said according to <a href=”https://blackfilm.com/20020405/features/i-denzelwashington.shtml” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Black Film</a>. “When I first started working in college, I started at $650 a week and that was good enough. My intention was to grow as an actor and to get better. As a result, I have been recognized by the people and I’m blessed and that has become compensation.”</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-denzel-washington-has-made-some-bad-movies-while-earning-millions”>Denzel Washington has made some bad movies while earning millions</h2>
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<p id=”par-6_60″>Even Washington asserted that his filmography isn’t as flawless as it might seem. For every <em>Glory </em>and <em>Hurricane</em>, there’s <em>Heart Condition</em>, <em>Virtuosity</em>, and other poorly reviewed features. Once he hit critical success for some of his more iconic films, Washington started making content based on his earning potential. This led to a few errors in judgment in his earlier days.</p>
<p id=”par-7_76″>“Well, in life, you learn, earn, and then you return — as in give back. So if your life is 90 years long, up until 30 you learn and from 30 to 60 you earn,” Washington told <a href=”https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/denzel-washington-gladiator-ii-interview-ls9dv88qw?utm_source=syndication” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>The Times</a>. “So in that era, I was earning. “With a great agent, my career built into making money, and so the earning kicked in and then life also kicked in, with bills, four kids and a house …”</p>
<p id=”par-8_16″> “After <em>Malcolm X</em>, I made some real clunkers. Look them up; I won’t say their names,” Washington added.</p>
<p id=”par-9_19″>The star asserted that most of the stinkers on his resume could be mostly found in one time period.</p>
<p id=”par-10_15″>“They are all in the 1990s. But I was earning. I had responsibilities,” he said.</p>
<p id=”par-11_26″>However, with Washington set to <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/denzel-washington-hints-final-curtain-call-only-few-films-left-me.html/”>bow out of acting soon</a>, the good movies he’s done will far outweigh the bad when it’s all said and done.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-what-has-denzel-washington-done-with-his-money”>What has Denzel Washington done with his money?</h2>
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<iframe loading=”lazy” title=”Denzel Washington Paid For Chadwick Boseman’s Tuition | The Graham Norton Show” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/-27lXYfnV30?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Denzel Washington Hints at Final Curtain Call: ‘Only a Few Films Left for Me’ </a>
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<p id=”par-12_73″>Washington’s earnings have given him and his family the type of financial security that could last several lifetimes. In 1992, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/inside-denzel-washington-beverly-hills-mega-mansion.html/”>he purchased a Beverly Hills mega-mansion</a> once owned by former Disney CEO Michael Eisner. The New York native reportedly purchased the luxurious property for $10 million. Thanks to renovations he did on the home, it’s now worth $80 million. The <em>American Gangster </em>actor also purchased an apartment for $13 million in Manhattan. </p>
<p id=”par-13_31″>Additionally, he’s donated a lot of money to charities like The Boys and Girls Club and HBCUs. Depending on circumstances, Washington also doesn’t seem opposed to donating to someone in person.</p>
<p id=”par-14_61″>“You know, I stopped for gas the other day and I saw a woman stressed,” he once remembered. “I’m just sensitive, I guess. My sister is bipolar, so I could tell that she was mentally ill. So I said, ‘How you doing, sweetheart?’ and asked if she needed money. I said, ‘$500?’ She said no — $1,000! I thought she ain’t <em>that</em> crazy!”</p>
<p id=”par-15_15″>Washington still gave the stranger money, while also providing a bit of a learning experience.</p>
<p id=”par-16_60″>“Then, as I’m pumping gas, she walked over to the shop window just rocking and a woman came out and looked like she was going to shoo her away. Then she saw me and said, ‘I love you!’ So I said, ‘You have a chance to help somebody, like I helped her.’ And the woman did. And I <em>love</em> that,” he said.</p>