Denzel Washington, one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, has made it clear that awards like the Oscars aren’t a driving force in his career, and he openly admitted there were times he “shouldn’t have won” while also missing out on accolades he felt he deserved. The two-time Academy Award winner, now 70, shared his perspective while promoting his upcoming film Highest 2 Lowest, telling host Jake Hamilton that he doesn’t do it for the Oscars and “really doesn’t care about that kind of stuff.”
Washington’s remarks reflect a grounded philosophy he’s expressed before: “Man gives the award, God gives the reward.” He emphasized that industry trophies won’t matter on his “last day,” highlighting a belief that external recognition isn’t as meaningful as the work itself or the spiritual and personal fulfillment that comes with it. After decades in the business, he’s comfortable acknowledging that his career includes both wins he feels maybe weren’t deserved and losses that should have resulted in wins.
Though Washington has two Oscars — Best Supporting Actor for Glory (1989) and Best Actor for Training Day (2002), he insists he’s not motivated by the statuettes themselves. When asked where he keeps them, he joked that they sit “next to the other one,” underscoring his lighthearted indifference to their symbolic value. He’s said he’s been in the industry long enough to see awards come and go, and none of them are reasons he chose his craft.
This isn’t the first time Washington has distanced himself from Hollywood’s accolades. He’s previously said he’s “not that interested in Oscars” despite his long list of nominations and wins, noting that awards are ultimately fleeting compared with the work and impact of the performance itself. That sentiment has resonated with many who view his career, spanning action films, dramas, and collaborations with auteurs like Spike Lee, as rooted more in storytelling and craft than in trophies.
Washington’s comments offer a reminder that even the most decorated artists don’t always see industry honors as the highest testament to their work, and that personal, spiritual, or artistic rewards can outweigh public accolades. His outlook reframes success not by wins on awards night, but by the consistency, depth, and influence of a decades-long career.
