Denzel Washington: Philadelphia

Denzel stars in "Philadelphia." Get fun movie facts here.

Philadelphia: Denzel Washington - Don’t miss the BET Star Cinema premiere of “Philadelphia,” starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington.<br><br>Tune in Friday, May 14 at 1 PM/12C for the compelling story of Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks), an up-and-coming attorney with AIDS, who is fired from his conservative law firm and sues with the help of a homophobic lawyer, Joe Miller (Denzel Washington).

1 / 12

Philadelphia: Denzel Washington - Don’t miss the BET Star Cinema premiere of “Philadelphia,” starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington.<br><br>Tune in Friday, May 14 at 1 PM/12C for the compelling story of Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks), an up-and-coming attorney with AIDS, who is fired from his conservative law firm and sues with the help of a homophobic lawyer, Joe Miller (Denzel Washington).

Philadelphia: Denzel Washington - Pictured: The Cast of “Philadelphia”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Left to Right:  Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks, Mary Steenburgen and Jason Roland.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;It has been said that American society may not have benefited from a more profound film during the 1990s than when former funnyman Tom Hanks and up-and-coming star Denzel Washington appeared in “Philadelphia.” There's no denying the impact this movie had on developing discussions about HIV and AIDS in America.

2 / 12

Philadelphia: Denzel Washington - Pictured: The Cast of “Philadelphia”<br><br>Left to Right: Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks, Mary Steenburgen and Jason Roland.<br><br>It has been said that American society may not have benefited from a more profound film during the 1990s than when former funnyman Tom Hanks and up-and-coming star Denzel Washington appeared in “Philadelphia.” There's no denying the impact this movie had on developing discussions about HIV and AIDS in America.

Philadelphia: Denzel Washington - Denzel Washington credits the lessons learned at the Boys & Girls Clubs with helping him succeed later in life.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;A native of Mt. Vernon, NY, Washington joined the local Boys Club the day he turned 6 years old. He spent the next 12 years as an active member, playing football and even working as a counselor there.

3 / 12

Philadelphia: Denzel Washington - Denzel Washington credits the lessons learned at the Boys & Girls Clubs with helping him succeed later in life.<br><br>A native of Mt. Vernon, NY, Washington joined the local Boys Club the day he turned 6 years old. He spent the next 12 years as an active member, playing football and even working as a counselor there.

Denzel & Pauletta Washington - 'A' list celebrities and dignitaries have gathered for the legendary African leader's birthday celebration.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Denzel’s good looks and mean business suit gets a summery touch next to Pauletta’s fresh floral-print skirt.

4 / 12

Philadelphia: Denzel Washington - In 1983, Washington married actress Pauletta Pearson (now Pauletta Washington), who he met on the set of his first screen work, the TV movie, “Wilma.” <br><br>The couple has four children.

Denzel Washington - Go out and watch his new flick, &quot;The Taking of Pelham 123&quot;!

5 / 12

Philadelphia: Denzel Washington - Denzel Washington's part in “Philadelphia” was originally written for an Italian American actor.<br><br>Originally, director Jonathan Demme had considered casting either Bill Murray or Robin Williams, but when Washington showed interest in the part, he gave the role to him since he had wanted to work with the actor for years.

ADVERTISEMENT
What Makes&lt;BR&gt;Denzel Cool: - Forget his smooth looks and persona; what makes Denzel Washington cool is the way he walks. Nearly all cool Black men have a swagger, but only Denzel could make strutting down the street in a zoot suit or wife-beater look equally cool.

6 / 12

Philadelphia: Denzel Washington - Washington has been awarded three Golden Globe Awards and two Academy Awards for his work.

Philadelphia: Denzel Washington - Denzel is recognized as the second African-American man (after Sidney Poitier) to win the Academy Award for Best Actor.

7 / 12

Philadelphia: Denzel Washington - Denzel is recognized as the second African-American man (after Sidney Poitier) to win the Academy Award for Best Actor.

$50,000 Donation - Say what you want about Denzel Washington, but the man definitely has a soft spot for the Boys & Girls Club. He was filming a movie in Roswell, New Mexico last week when he heard through media reports that one of the clubs was having financial trouble and might have to close. Washington, who has credited the club with being there for him when he was growing up, dropped off a $50,000 check and urged residents to match his donation.

8 / 12

Philadelphia: Denzel Washington - In “Phildelphia,” Denzel Washington's character says he prays the Philadelphia Phillies win the pennant.<br><br>The year this movie was released, the Phillies did just that.

Denzel Washington - What impresses an impressive man like Denzel?

9 / 12

Philadelphia: Denzel Washington - Denzel is no stranger to BET.<br><br>Here, he kicks it with Rocsi and Terrence on “106 & Park.”

Philadelphia: Denzel Washington - Here, Denzel takes time out to help raise money for “Hope For Haiti.”

10 / 12

Philadelphia: Denzel Washington - Here, Denzel takes time out to help raise money for “Hope For Haiti.”

ADVERTISEMENT
Denzel Washington - If you have an enemy, then learn and know your enemy, don't just be mad at him or her.

11 / 12

Philadelphia: Denzel Washington - During the filming of “Philadelphia,” leading man Tom Hanks had to lose almost 30 pounds, while the handsome Denzel was asked to gain a few pounds for his role.<br><br>Jokingly, Denzel would often eat chocolate bars in front of Hanks, who practically starved himself for the role.

Philadelphia: Denzel Washington - Many of the scenes in the movie were actually filmed in Philadelphia. The courtroom and library scenes were not sets but actual places.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Tune in Friday, May 14 at 1 PM/12C for the BET Star Cinema premiere of “Philadelphia,” starring Denzel Washington.

12 / 12

Philadelphia: Denzel Washington - Many of the scenes in the movie were actually filmed in Philadelphia. The courtroom and library scenes were not sets but actual places.<br><br>Tune in Friday, May 14 at 1 PM/12C for the BET Star Cinema premiere of “Philadelphia,” starring Denzel Washington.