Denzel Washington's Alma Mater Shares Throwback Photo of Actor withGladiator IIParallels: He 'Owned the Stage'

Mar. 15, 2025

From L: Denzel Washington inGladiator II(2024) and in a student production ofEmperor Jonesat Fordham University in 1975.Photo:Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures; Fordham University

Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures; Fordham University

Denzel Washington’s alma mater is throwing it back almost 50 years in honor of his latest role.As Washington’s new movieGladiator IIhit theaters over the weekend, his former college, Fordham University,posted a snapshotof the actor back in a student production in the ’70s.The two-timeAcademy Awardwinner, 69, is shown as a young man in the photo, wearing a red-and-gold uniform and sitting in a throne-like high-back chair. The second image in the school’s post featured a film still of Washington as Macrinus inGladiator II.“Before taking over Hollywood, Denzel Washington, FCLC ‘77, owned the stage at Fordham — like in ‘Emperor Jones’ here in 1975,” the caption read.“Now, he’s back in the spotlight with a lead role in Gladiator II, which was released in theaters yesterday! 👑,” it continued. “Have you seen the movie?“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.InGladiator II,Washington gives a scene-stealing performance as his character Macrinus, a former slave with plans to gain power.Earlier this month,Fred Hechinger, who plays Roman emperor Caracalla in the film, told PEOPLE it was “a great honor” to share scenes with an actor as esteemed as Washington.“It’s also an immense joy,” added theWhite Lotusstar, 24. “He’s such a deep and true actor.“Describing watching Washington’s process, Hechinger says he got “really wrapped up in it.“The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!Denzel Washington inGladiator II(2024).Paramount Pictures"I feel that the scenes were one thing on the page, and then you walk into it and you start to play and stuff comes up,” he recalled to PEOPLE. “That’s just so of the moment, and that’s what it was every day with him. He’s just so there.“As for Washington’s academic history, he originally enrolled at Fordham University to study journalism and medicine, but interest in those fields faded once he landed roles in the school’s production ofThe Emperor JonesandOthello.He also found time for the basketball court, playing on the school’s junior varsity team under coach P. J. Carlesimo, who went on to lead the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.Gladiator IIis in theaters now.

Denzel Washington’s alma mater is throwing it back almost 50 years in honor of his latest role.

As Washington’s new movieGladiator IIhit theaters over the weekend, his former college, Fordham University,posted a snapshotof the actor back in a student production in the ’70s.

The two-timeAcademy Awardwinner, 69, is shown as a young man in the photo, wearing a red-and-gold uniform and sitting in a throne-like high-back chair. The second image in the school’s post featured a film still of Washington as Macrinus inGladiator II.

“Before taking over Hollywood, Denzel Washington, FCLC ‘77, owned the stage at Fordham — like in ‘Emperor Jones’ here in 1975,” the caption read.

“Now, he’s back in the spotlight with a lead role in Gladiator II, which was released in theaters yesterday! 👑,” it continued. “Have you seen the movie?”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

InGladiator II,Washington gives a scene-stealing performance as his character Macrinus, a former slave with plans to gain power.

Earlier this month,Fred Hechinger, who plays Roman emperor Caracalla in the film, told PEOPLE it was “a great honor” to share scenes with an actor as esteemed as Washington.

“It’s also an immense joy,” added theWhite Lotusstar, 24. “He’s such a deep and true actor.”

Describing watching Washington’s process, Hechinger says he got “really wrapped up in it.”

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Denzel Washington inGladiator II(2024).Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures

“I feel that the scenes were one thing on the page, and then you walk into it and you start to play and stuff comes up,” he recalled to PEOPLE. “That’s just so of the moment, and that’s what it was every day with him. He’s just so there.”

As for Washington’s academic history, he originally enrolled at Fordham University to study journalism and medicine, but interest in those fields faded once he landed roles in the school’s production ofThe Emperor JonesandOthello.

He also found time for the basketball court, playing on the school’s junior varsity team under coach P. J. Carlesimo, who went on to lead the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.

Gladiator IIis in theaters now.

source: people.com