‘Not That It Was….’: Denzel Washinton Recalls How Losing Oscar To Kevin Spacey Made Him ‘Bitter’

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As a dedicated follower of Denzel Washington’s illustrious career, I find myself deeply moved by his candid and heartfelt reflections on his personal journey, particularly the bitterness he felt after losing the Academy Award to Kevin Spacey in 2000. It’s not every day that we get a glimpse into the emotional life of such an iconic figure, and it serves as a stark reminder that even the greatest among us can feel the sting of disappointment.

Denzel Washington didn’t view it as a competition, but he did feel a personal disappointment when he didn’t win the 2000 Academy Award, which went to Kevin Spacey. This esteemed actor, recognized for his roles in films like The Little Things and the upcoming Gladiator 2, has recently shared insights into his career and personal life.

In a chat with Esquire, Washington revealed his feelings turned sour when he missed out on winning the Best Actor title that went to the actor from Billionaire Boys Club instead. The year was 2000, and Washington had been nominated for the fourth time, having already claimed an Academy Award in 1989 for Glory. Despite his eagerness, he didn’t manage to secure the award again on this occasion.

Nevertheless, it was Kevin Spacey who received the award, having been nominated for his role in American Beauty. In the subsequent interview, Washington disclosed an interesting detail: when Spacey’s name was called out, he discovered that no one near him was standing – only those surrounding the actor from Baby Driver.

In a slightly different wording, the actor from The Magnificent Seven stated: “Washington went on to say that it seemed like everyone was staring at him, though he clarified that this might have been just his perception, or perhaps he felt self-conscious and thought everyone was looking at him.

Later, Denzel Washington mentioned that following the incident, he spent his evening at home, enjoying a few drinks.

For the upcoming Oscars, the actor declared his lack of enthusiasm for viewing the nominated films or casting his vote, as a member of the Academy. Interestingly, his wife Pauletta continued to cast her votes and fulfill her responsibilities within the Academy.

In a conversation with Pauletta, Washington admitted that he directly expressed to her his lack of interest in the Academy Awards, questioning whether they valued him less when he had previously lost.

In a more casual and straightforward rephrasing, the actor from “American Gangster” expressed to his spouse that he was planning to abstain from voting, mentioning that he had become disillusioned and was indulging in self-pity.

Speaking with Variety, the actor shared that he maintained the same mindset for approximately fifteen years, starting from 1999 and ending in 2014.

For those less familiar, Denzel Washington ultimately received an Academy Award for Best Actor in the 2001 police drama, Training Day.

Actor from Deja Vu garnered additional Oscar nods in the same category for his roles in Flight, Fences, Roman J. Israel, Esq., and The Tragedy of Macbeth, adding to his previous nominations.

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2024-11-20 13:40