Denzel Washington Says 'It's Not Fashionable' to Be Religious in Hollywood but 'I Don't Care What Anyone Thinks'

Mar. 15, 2025

Denzel Washington on Nov. 19, 2024.Photo:MediaPunch/Shutterstock

MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Denzel Washingtonis opening up about his faith.

In Washington’s first-person essay forEsquire, published Tuesday, Nov. 19, the actor, 69, reflected on an impactful first visit he took to thePentecostal West Angeleschurch in Los Angeles at the suggestion of actor and director Robert Townsend in the 1980s. “The biggest moment of my life was when I was filled with the Holy Spirit,” he wrote of the experience.

The actor, who added that his faith is stronger today than when he was a child, opined that being outspoken about your religion is somewhat discouraged amongst his peers in the industry.

Denzel Washington in Esquire.Norman Jean Roy

Norman Jean Roy

“I’m free now. It’s not talked about in this town. It’s not talked about. It’s not talked about. It’s not fashionable. It’s not sexy. But that doesn’t mean people in Hollywood don’t believe,” he added.

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Washington, who has been promoting his new movieGladiator IIin recent weeks, expressed in the essay that he does not “have a lot of actor friends” beyond longtime friends of his family likeSamuel L. Jacksonand added that the idea of Hollywood as an institution is not entirely accurate in his experience.

Denzel Washington on Nov. 13, 2024.Samir Hussein/WireImage

Samir Hussein/WireImage

“There’s no such thing called Hollywood anyway. What does that even mean? That to me means a street called Hollywood Boulevard,” he wrote. “It’s not like we all meet somewhere and discuss what we believe. So I don’t know how many other actors have faith. I didn’t do no poll. How would I find that out? I mean, there’s no Church Actor Meetings I’ve been to.”

Gladiator IIreleases in theaters Nov. 22.

source: people.com