Approaching 70, Denzel Washington opens up about his journey to sobriety. In a candid interview, he reflects on his past relationship with alcohol, how it impacted his life, and his resolve to live a healthier lifestyle as he enters a new chapter.
- Denzel Washington opens up on his sobriety
- He has many reflections on his past alcohol use
- The actor is now making major life changes at 70
Denzel Washington's Sobriety Journey
Denzel Washington, the acclaimed actor known for his powerful performances, is approaching a significant milestone: nearly a decade of sobriety. As he prepares to celebrate his 70th birthday, Washington reflects on his decision to quit drinking at 60.
In a revealing interview with 'Esquire' magazine, he shared, “I haven’t had a thimble’s worth since.” The actor, who graces the cover of the Winter issue, spoke candidly about his relationship with alcohol and the changes he's made in his life.
Washington's journey with alcohol began with wine, a beverage he found deceptively enticing. He noted, “Wine is very tricky. It’s very slow. It ain’t like, boom, all of a sudden.”
Despite experimenting with various substances, he stated, “I never got strung out on heroin. Never got strung out on coke. Never got strung out on hard drugs. I shot dope just like they shot dope, but I never got strung out. And I never got strung out on liquor. I had this ideal idea of wine tastings and all that — which is what it was at first. And that’s a very subtle thing. I mean, I drank the best.”
Wine, however, became his drink of choice, leading to extravagant habits such as purchasing $4,000 bottles. He recounted how he would order from Gil Turner’s Fine Wines & Spirits, limiting himself to two bottles a day to maintain control.
He shared that when his family added a wine cellar to their house, “I learned to drink the best. So I’m gonna drink my ’61s and my ’82s and whatever we had. Wine was my thing, and now I was popping $4,000 bottles just because that’s what was left.”
“And then later in those years I’d call Gil Turner’s Fine Wines & Spirits on Sunset Boulevard and say, 'Send me two bottles, the best of this or that.' ”
Reflecting on his career and personal life, Washington admitted, “I never drank while I was working or preparing. I would clean up, go back to work.” This routine allowed him to manage his drinking while maintaining his professional commitments.
One of the finest to ever do it
He disclosed, “I wasn’t drinking when we filmed Flight,” a film in which he portrayed an alcoholic pilot, though he acknowledged resuming drinking afterward. Now, as he approaches 70, Washington is embracing a new chapter. “Things are opening up for me now — like being seventy. It’s real. And it’s okay,” he remarked, contemplating the future with hope and determination.
Denzel Washington is widely regarded as one of the finest actors of his generation, with a career spanning over four decades in film and television. His breakthrough came in the 1980s when he portrayed "Dr. Phillip Chandler" on the medical drama 'St. Elsewhere'.
This role opened doors to Hollywood, and Washington soon earned recognition for his powerful performances in films like 'Cry Freedom'. His versatility as an actor was further demonstrated in the 1990s, particularly in 'Malcolm X', where he portrayed the influential civil rights leader, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Washington's ability to seamlessly transition between genres has cemented his place as a major Hollywood icon.
From intense dramas to action-packed thrillers, his range is unmatched. His work in the 'Equalizer' series, beginning in 2014, has showcased his ability to combine physicality with nuanced emotional depth, portraying the retired black-ops operative "Robert McCall" with both precision and gravitas.
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On top of everything else he has done in his great career, Washington has also explored the world of directing and producing, with his 2007 film 'The Great Debaters' and 2016's 'Fences' – the latter earning him widespread acclaim for his portrayal of "Troy Maxson", a role that won him his second Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
With a career that spans multiple genres, Denzel Washington has not only entertained audiences but also set a benchmark for excellence in both acting and directing.
