Denzel Washington revealed to Esquire journal as a part of a brand new cowl story that he received bitter after shedding the very best actor Oscar to Kevin Spacey in 2000. Washington was already a three-time Oscar nominee and one-time winner when his efficiency as Rubin Carter in “The Hurriance” landed him within the Oscar for finest actor reverse Spacey (“American Magnificence”), Russell Crowe (“The Insider”), Richard Farnsworth (“The Straight Story”) and Sean Penn (“Candy and Lowdown”). Washington gained a Golden Globe for his efficiency, however the Oscar went to Spacey.

“On the Oscars, they known as Kevin Spacey’s identify for ‘American Magnificence,’” Washington stated. “I’ve a reminiscence of turning round and him, and no one was standing however the individuals round him. And everybody else was me. Not that it was this manner. Perhaps that’s the best way I perceived it. Perhaps I felt like all people was me. As a result of why would all people be me? Enthusiastic about it now, I don’t suppose they have been.”

“I’m positive I went house and drank that evening. I needed to,” Washington stated about his response to shedding. “I don’t wish to sound like, ‘Oh, he gained my Oscar,’ or something like that. It wasn’t like that. And you understand, there was speak within the city about what was occurring over there on that facet of the road, and that’s between him and God. I ain’t received nothing to do with that. I pray for him. That’s between him and his maker.”

“The Hurricane” marked the second time Washington had discovered himself in the very best actor race. He was beforehand nominated within the class for taking part in the title function in Spike Lee’s “Malcom X,” however the Oscar went to Al Pacino for “Scent of a Lady” as a substitute. After shedding finest actor for a second time, Washington grew bitter and had his spouse, Paulette, begin voting in his place for the Academy Awards.

“I went by means of a time then when [my wife] Pauletta would watch all of the Oscar films—I advised her, I don’t care about that. Hey: They don’t care about me? I don’t care,” Washington stated. “You vote. You watch them. I ain’t watching that. I gave up. I received bitter. My pity get together.”

Two years after shedding finest actor, Washington would lastly win his first Academy Award for finest actor because of “Coaching Day.” His victory made him solely the was the second African-American performer to win the class, following Sidney Poitier for 1963’s “Lilies of the Discipline.” Washington has since gone on to earn 4 extra Oscar nominations, most lately in 2022 for “The Tragedy of Macbeth.” He’s now again within the Oscar race within the supporting class subject for “Gladiator 2.”

Head over to Esquire’s web site to learn Washington’s cowl story in its entirety.