Denzel Washington Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Denzel Washington’s Net Worth and Salary?

With a net worth of $300 million, Denzel Washington stands out as an American actor, screenwriter, producer, and director. For several decades, he has been among the highest-paid actors in Hollywood. In a typical year filled with acting and producing, Denzel easily generates earnings between $60 million and $80 million.

Beginning his journey in theater after attending the American Conservatory Theater, significant advancements were made through his off-Broadway performances. He gained noteworthy recognition on television with his portrayal of Dr. Phillip Chandler in NBC’s “St. Elsewhere” from 1982 to 1988, a pioneering role as one of the few African-American actors featured in the series. Transitioning to film, he garnered critical acclaim and an array of awards.

His filmography showcases a wide array of roles, culminating in two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor for “Glory” (1989), where he plays a defiant ex-slave soldier, and Best Actor for his performance as a corrupt cop in “Training Day” (2001). Denzel’s Oscar-nominated roles extend across diverse films including “Cry Freedom” (1987), “Malcolm X” (1992), “The Hurricane” (1999), “Flight” (2012), “Fences” (2015), “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” (2017), and “The Tragedy of Macbeth” (2021).

Establishing himself as a leading man, Washington starred in movies like “Mo’ Better Blues” (1990), “Philadelphia” (1993), “Inside Man” (2006), and the “The Equalizer” trilogy (2014–2023). His Broadway presence was marked by his debut in “Checkmates” (1988) and a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for the revival of “Fences” (2010), a play he later directed and starred in for its film adaptation.

Washington’s accomplishments have been rewarded with the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award (2016), the AFI Life Achievement Award (2019), and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2022). In 2020, The New York Times declared him the greatest actor of the 21st century.

The five highest-grossing films of Denzel Washington by worldwide box office are:

• “American Gangster” (2007): $267,985,456
• “The Equalizer” (2014): $192,903,624
• “Remember the Titans” (2000): $136,771,683
• “Safe House” (2012): $207,884,401
• “Philadelphia” (1993): $201,324,422

10 Film Salary Highlights

Here’s a compilation of 10 notable salaries earned by Denzel in some of his most recognized films. From these ten films alone, he accrued over $200 million (specifically, $203 million).

#10: Virtuosity (1995) – $7.5 million

In this science fiction film alongside Russell Crowe, Denzel portrays a former cop sentenced to prison for avenging his family’s murder. Despite receiving mixed to negative reviews, there are those who argue that both actors delivered award-winning performances. Nevertheless, Denzel was compensated with $7.5 million for his role.

#9: Courage Under Fire (1996) – $10 million

In this film where he plays an army colonel involved in the accidental death of a friend during battle, Courage Under Fire explores the complex realities of death in warfare. Starring alongside Meg Ryan, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Matt Damon, the film garnered mostly favorable reviews and awarded Denzel $10 million for his performance.

#8: The Hurricane (1999) – $10 million

This biographical film centers on boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter and his experience during a two-decade prison sentence for a triple homicide,

This movie garnered enthusiastic reviews and secured numerous awards and accolades. Washington was compensated with $10 million for what would become one of the defining roles of his career.

#7: Fallen (1998) – $12 million

As a supernatural thriller, Fallen  is a film that has found favor among fans, yet critics have criticized it harshly. Highlighting the plot holes and erratic nature of the script, critics expressed widespread dissatisfaction; however, this did not prevent Denzel from earning $12 million for his performance in the movie.

#6: The Siege (1998) – $12 million

This film revolves around the FBI’s investigation into a terrorist conspiracy, with Washington portraying “Special Agent Anthony Hubbard.” Featuring prominent actors like Bruce Willis and Annette Bening, the film received mixed reviews primarily due to concerns regarding the plot’s topic. Despite this, Washington showcased an outstanding performance and was rewarded with $12 million for his involvement in the project.

#5: Training Day (2001) – $12 million

Regarded as a pivotal crime drama film that transformed Denzel’s choice of roles thereafter, Training Day  demonstrated his remarkable ability to accept diverse characters. Garnering critical acclaim and a multitude of awards, Washington earned $12 million for his portrayal of a morally ambiguous character.

#4: Out of Time (2003) – $20 million

This film features actors like Eva Mendes and Sanaa Lathan, adding a touch of spice and allure. With largely positive reviews, Washington was compensated $20 million for his role as “Mathias Lee-Whitlock.”

#3: Man on Fire (2004) – $20 million

In this thriller, Washington plays an ex-CIA agent who becomes a mercenary, starring alongside Dakota Fanning. Entrusted with the protection of a 9-year-old named “Lupita,” Washington again delivered an exceptional performance, earning an additional $20 million in the process.

#2: American Gangster (2007) – $40 million

Based on the tumultuous life of crime boss Frank Lucas, American Gangster  again challenged Washington’s acting abilities, which he exceeded admirably. A huge success, many regard the film and its soundtrack as instant classics. Moreover, Washington earned a remarkable salary of $40 million for his leading role!

#1: The Little Things (2021) – $60 million

For “The Little Things” in 2021, Denzel received an upfront payment of $20 million, alongside the promise of potentially earning tens of millions more from lucrative back-end profit points. Amid the COVID lockdowns in the same year, Warner Media, the film’s production company, opted to release it for free on HBO MAX. To compensate Denzel for his lost earnings, Warner provided him a one-time bonus of $40 million.

Early Life

On December 28, 1954, Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. came into the world in Mount Vernon, New York. When Denzel was 14 years old, his parents—beauty salon owner Lennis and Pentecostal minister/municipal worker Denzel Washington, Sr.—divorced.

Following the divorce, Denzel’s mother enrolled him at Oakland Military Academy in New Windsor, New York. The actor has since credited that choice with saving his life. Prior to attending military school, he was on a troubling path alongside his closest friends. In an interview with Parade Magazine, he revealed that his friends eventually served approximately 40 years in prison altogether.

Denzel pursued his education at Fordham University in New York City, where he participated in collegiate basketball. He took a semester off to contemplate his future and decide on a major. During this break, he spent a summer working at a YMCA camp. His remarkable performance in a talent show at the camp captivated both the campers and his fellow staff, leading one of them to suggest he try acting. Upon his return to Fordham that fall, he began to study drama and graduated with a BA in drama and journalism in 1977.

Early Career

Washington earned a full-ride scholarship to the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, but after a year, he returned to New York to pursue a professional acting career. Before this, he had taken part in several stage productions; however, his first on-screen appearance occurred in 1977 with the made-for-television movie Wilma. A number of smaller roles in theater and television followed, yet it was in 1982 that he experienced his significant breakthrough by securing a role on the successful medical drama St. Elsewhere, where he played Dr. Phillip Chandler throughout the show’s six-year run.

Success

His role in “Cry Freedom” (1987) as the South African anti-apartheid activist Stephen Biko garnered him an Academy Award nomination, marking the ascent of his Hollywood career. This momentum continued with his Academy Award-winning portrayal in “Glory” (1989), where he captured the essence of a defiant ex-slave soldier with a gripping intensity that resonated with viewers.

The 1990s and early 2000s witnessed an exponential rise in Washington’s prominence as a leading man in Hollywood. He delivered compelling performances across a variety of roles, demonstrating his capability to embody intricate characters with depth and genuineness. His portrayal of the titular character in “Malcolm X” (1992) received both critical acclaim and commercial success, earning him yet another Academy Award nomination. Following this, he starred in a succession of box-office hits such as “Philadelphia” (1993), “Remember the Titans” (2000), and “Training Day” (2001), the latter of which earned him his second Oscar.

Awards and Honors

In 1988, Washington received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the anti-Apartheid film “Cry Freedom,” and in 1989, he won the same award for his performance in “Glory.”

He was nominated for Best Actor in 1992 for his role in “Malcolm X,” and in 1999, he received another nomination while also winning a Golden Globe for The 

land in Beverly Hills. The impressive residence boasts a wealth of amenities, including a home theater and a spacious swimming pool. Additionally, the couple also owns numerous other properties across the United States, with investments ranging from vacation homes to rental properties.

In 2016, Denzel’s real estate portfolio expanded further when he purchased a luxurious apartment in Manhattan overlooking Central Park. This trendy location has become a second home for the actor, providing him with a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood.

The Washingtons also invested in a scenic estate in a quieter region, which offers a serene environment away from their public lives. Denzel takes pride in his properties, ensuring that they reflect his family’s values and taste.

The exclusive gated community of Beverly Park, located high in the Beverly Hills hills, houses a mansion that spans 30,000 square feet, along with a guest house of 5,000 square feet. Nearby, Mark Wahlberg’s home offers a somewhat comparable experience, as he listed his mansion for $87.5 million in April 2022, only to accept $55 million for it by February 2023. Below is an image of Denzel’s mansion, captured shortly after construction was finalized in late 1999:

A little under $11 million was the amount Denzel and his wife paid in April 2022 for an 8,000-square-foot condo featuring 6 bedrooms in Century City, California. This condominium was previously owned by HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, a grandchild of the late Saudi Arabian King Faisal.