Summary

Denzel Washingtonis one of Hollywood ’s most charismatic and entertaining movie stars , with several iconic characters under his rap . No matter the quality of the movie , every character Washington has play is pleasurable to watch , as his magnetic silver screen presence can remunerate for an uninspiring film . Even in poorly refresh releases likeThe Book of Eli , Washington has stood out , making his character unforgettable . From military action to diachronic biopics to thriller movies , Denzel Washington has exceeded expected value in almost every writing style with distinct characters .

Many ofDenzel Washington ’s good moviescome from the directorial vision of frequent henchman like Tony Scott and Spike Lee . These directors always brought out fascinating performance from him , allowing him to show his acting versatility . His " good " characters are n’t always protagonist , and factors will include complexity , entertainment note value , personal magnetism , and their time value relating to their several films . moving-picture show where Denzel Washington ’s operation is the clear standout are bind to ponder substantially on the character he depict .

Screen Rant breaks down the best movies of all prison term , from old classics to modern chef-d’oeuvre across multiple genres of cinema .

A collection of characters from the greatest movies of all time including Woody the Cowboy from Toy Story, the Godfather, and Frodo Baggins

10Eli

The Book of Eli

Cast

An action thriller with a star - studded cast , the post - apocalyptic activity - thrillerThe Book of Elihad all the correct ingredient to be a massive winner . While the pic had sub - par reviews , with a 47 % on Rotten Tomatoes , it still managed to gross $ 157 million at the box office staff mainly due to the star power of Denzel Washington . He portray Eli as one of his most enigmatic characters , but Washington ’s charisma shines through in Eli ’s unwavering finding to survive . Washington is the only panorama of the film that really works , prove his capability as a leading man .

9Jake Shuttlesworth

He Got Game

One of Denzel Washington ’s most complex reference is in Spike Lee’sHe Got Game , where the actor stars opposite NBA Hall of Famer Ray Allen . Washington plays Jake Shuttlesworth , a convict outlaw who tries to persuade his hoops prodigy son to play for the governor ’s alma mater , hop-skip to have his sentence boil down . In one of thebest basketball movies ever , Washington ’s fictitious character put up out as a complex , memorable fig , portray with one of the actor ’s most redolent performance .

8John Creasy

Man on Fire

In thebest Denzel Washington collaboration with Tony Scott , John W. Creasy is the center figure and a fantastic character . Denzel Washington impart one of the best talking to of his vocation , and the character has excellent chemistry with nine - year - sometime co - star Dakota Fanning . shuffle Washington ’s action talent with his unadulterated wiz ability and charisma is one thing , but Creasy also get by to be a nuanced character reference , deal with his past and skin with habituation , making for an intense , moving public presentation .

7Joe Miller

Philadelphia

One of Denzel Washington ’s most successful movies , Philadelphia , won Tom Hanks his first Academy Award and was nominated for Best Picture . Still , Denzel Washington ’s Joe Miller is one of the moving-picture show ’s best parts . As an ambitious and talented attorney , Miller ’s journey involve overcoming his prejudices to do the right thing . While he may not ab initio be one of the most likeable Denzel Washington fictitious character , Miller ’s evolution and sense of integrity make him captivating . Washington did n’t win the Academy Award , but he ’s the most entertaining aspect ofPhiladelphia .

6Detective Frazier

Inside Man

2006’sInside Manis one of its geological era ’s most absorbing criminal offense thriller , with an outstanding lead performance from Denzel Washington as Detective Frazier . The ensemble stamp is life-sustaining to Spike Lee ’s heist epos , but Washington still exceeds as the fast - witted NYPD tec tasked with handling the fundamental hostage situation . TheInside Manheistis distinctly complex , and viewers can admire Frazier ’s demeanor in navigating the situation . The photographic film explores an incredibly nuanced criminal offence in terms of ethical motive , and only Denzel Washington could take audiences through it .

5Robert McCall

The Equalizer

Like many star - driven military action franchises , The Equalizeris reconstruct almost only around Denzel Washington ’s magnetic sieve front . Unlike action picture show likeJohn Wick , which prioritize stunt employment over character , Robert McCall ’s complexity is substantive toThe Equalizerfilms . He ’s a ruthless vigilance man assay justness , willing to do what must be done to attain it , but McCall still has a sense of morality and compassion that make him lucky to see . And , of row , The Equalizerseries has some fantastical action sequences to back up Washington ’s acting .

4Coach Boone

Remember the Titans

The character of Coach Boone inRemember the Titansis another carrying into action driven by Denzel Washington ’s charisma and likability . arrive in modest - Ithiel Town Virginia to coach high school football game , Boone is swarmed with obstruction as he seek to rally his team . His resiliency is admirable , with his toughness and sense of precept distinguishing him as one of the salutary autobus in sports flick . retrieve the Titansis one ofthe salutary football game movies , and it would n’t be the same without Washington ’s functioning , cause Boone a credible leader .

3Frank Lucas

American Gangster

Denzel Washington ’s personal appeal is fully displayed inAmerican Gangster , where he plays veridical - sprightliness crime honcho Frank Lucas . Like many neat movie criminals , Frank Lucas is intelligent , ambitious , and remorseless when he has to be , but Ridley Scott ’s biopic depicts him as a complex character with deliver qualities . Like Tony Soprano or Henry Hill , Lucas works as a catch anti - champion . Despite being the felon in the film , Washington outshine Russell Crowe ’s Detective Richie Roberts and is so compelling he even inspire a Jay - Z album .

2Malcolm X

Malcolm X

In one ofSpike Lee ’s best moving picture , Denzel Washington attractively portrays Malcolm X. It ’s one of Washington ’s most immersive roles , as he seems to truly be channeling the civil rights activist . The functioning , accompanied by Spike Lee ’s prodigious guidance , helpedMalcolm Xtranscend the typical biopic boundaries , becoming one of the most piquant character field in cinema . Malcolm Xis a must - watch film , and Denzel Washington ’s performance is truly inspiring , making it one of his best reference .

1Alonzo

Training Day

Alonzo inTraining Dayis doubtlessly Denzel Washington ’s best and most iconic character . From start to finish , he ’s wildly entertaining as the corrupt cop , using his appeal to be likeable despite being an unpredictable villain . Rightfullywinning Washington his first Best Actor Academy Award , Alonzo might not be the most nuanced quality he ’s portrayed , but it ’s impossible to deny how enjoyable he is to watch . It ’s such a memorableDenzel Washingtonrole that it became part of the ethnic vernacular with meme and quote .

Ben Affleck as Christian drumming his hand on the table while talking to Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s Marybeth in The Accountant 2

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Best Denzel Washington characters

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Headshot Of Denzel Washington In The Premiere Of Apple Original Films' and A24’s

Headshot Of Gary Oldman In The 77th Cannes Film Festival

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Ray Allen and Denzel Washington in He Got Game

Denzel Washington as John Creasy and Dakota Fanning as Lupita Ramos sit inside a car in Man on Fire

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Headshot Of Radha Mitchell In The 31st Annual Race To Erase MS Gala 2024

Andy (Tom Hanks) and Joe (Denzel Washington) sitting in court in Philadelphia.

Headshot Of Tom Hanks In The Los Angeles World Premiere Of Apple TV+ Series ‘Masters Of The Air’

Denzel Washington as Detective Keith Frazier Looking to His Left in Inside Man

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Headshot Of Jodie Foster In The 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

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Herman Boone lying on the ground in front of his players coaching them in Remember the Titans.

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Denzel Washington in American Gangster

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Headshot Of Idris Elba In The World premiere of Luther: The Fallen Sun at the BFI IMAX in London.

Headshot Of John Hawkes In The GQ 2011

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Headshot Of Ethan Hawke In The Screening of Raymond And Ray During The 47th TIFF

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