Legendary actor Denzel Washington has taken on a new spiritual journey as he recently received his minister’s license at the age of 69. The iconic Hollywood star was baptized by Archbishop Christopher Bryant at Kelly Temple in New York City on Saturday, marking a significant milestone in his life.
In a heartfelt statement, Washington expressed gratitude and faith, saying, “It took a while, but I’m finally here... If God can do this for me, there’s nothing He can’t do for you. The sky literally is the limit.” Archbishop Bryant celebrated the moment on Facebook, sharing photos of Washington’s baptism and writing, “We celebrate the addition of Minister Denzel Washington into the clergy, having received his minister’s license in the Church of God in Christ today, in a truly uplifting moment.”
Washington’s faith has always been an integral part of his life, though he recently admitted that discussing religion in Hollywood is often met with resistance. In an interview with Esquire, the “Training Day” star said, “When you see me, you see the best I could do with what I’ve been given by my Lord and Savior. I’m unafraid.”
He went on to reflect on the challenges of openly expressing his faith in the entertainment industry. “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,” he remarked. “But I’m free now. It’s not fashionable. It’s not sexy. But that doesn’t mean people in Hollywood don’t believe.”
Washington also questioned the notion of “Hollywood” as a collective entity, stating, “There’s no such thing as Hollywood anyway. What does that even mean? That, to me, is just a street called Hollywood Boulevard.”
While acknowledging the lack of dialogue about faith among actors, he added, “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 any polls. How would I find that out? I mean, there’s no Church Actor Meetings I’ve been to.”
Denzel Washington’s illustrious career spans decades, with notable roles in Training Day, Malcolm X, The Book of Eli, Fences, and Cry Freedom. His journey from Hollywood star to licensed minister marks a profound evolution, reflecting his unwavering commitment to faith and purpose.
