A few weeks after stating his opinion on religion, Denzel Washington gets baptized as he becomes a minister. On Saturday, December 21, 2024, Washington was baptized at the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ near New York City’s Harlem district. Following his baptism, the actor was given a minister license, enabling him to receive future ordination.
The baptism comes days before the veteran actor’s 70th birthday on December 28, 2024. During the service, Washington was granted the privilege of addressing the congregation, where he spoke, embracing his faith. The ceremony was live-streamed on Facebook by the First Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ Eastern New York.
According to the live stream, Washington was dressed casually in a gray T-shirt and black sweatpants. According to Archbishop Christopher Bryant, Washington said, “In one week, I turn 70. It took a while, but I’m here. If [God] can do this for me, there’s nothing He can’t do for you. The sky literally is the limit,” he added.
Was Denzel Washington Recently Baptized?
Denzel Washington was baptized at the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ in New York on Saturday, December 21, 2024. In images and videos from the ceremony, Washington can be seen submerging himself in baptismal water. Following the baptism, Washington spares a moment as he poses for pictures with his minister license and baptism certificate.
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On November 19, 2024, Washington opened up about religion and how it is viewed in Hollywood. Writing a first-person piece for Esquire, Washington described religion as “unfashionable” in the November 2024 publication.
In the article, Washington discussed his first transformative visit to the Pentecostal West Angeles church in Los Angeles. According to Washington, he experienced the biggest moment of his life thanks to the recommendation of actor and director Robert Townsend. Washington added that he was filled with the Holy Spirit during the event.
However, he stated that among his contemporaries in Hollywood, being open about one’s faith is sometimes frowned upon. Even though he is not one, Washington would not be the first famous person to become an ordained minister. According to the Universal Life Church directory, several Hollywood celebrities, such as Adele and Tom Hanks, are ministers.
What Is Considered Denzel Washington’s Best Movie?
Throughout his career, Washington has been in several high-value movies, placing him as one of the biggest names in Hollywood. While he has played many characters in several movies, his most prominent and acclaimed movie is “Training Day.”
Earning an Oscar for his role, “Training Day” follows a street-smart veteran cop teaching a new officer a few tricks. However, as the day progresses, we realize that Detective Alonzo Harris, played by Washington, is more dishonest and deadly than he initially looks.
Another movie that cemented Washington’s place in movie history was his portrayal of Malcolm X in the 1992 movie of the same name.
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How Many Times Did Denzel Washington Propose to His Wife?
Before accepting his marriage proposal, Denzel Washington proposed to his wife, Pauletta Washington, on three occasions. One of the proposals took place on the red carpet at the premiere of his film “2 Guns.” However, Pauletta took her time turning down his proposal twice before agreeing to marry him.
Pauletta told Access Hollywood that he proposed to her three times before their June 1983 wedding. Responding to her statement, Washington said, “You heard it here first. She turned me down; she said no. And since it was three times, that means she turned me down twice.”
During his baptism in 2024, Pauletta was also present for the momentous occasion and spoke movingly about her husband’s spiritual development. Pauletta revealed how pleased she was to see Washington advance in his religion.
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Who Is Denzel Washington’s Oldest Son?
Among Denzel Washington’s kids, the older one is John David Washington, born on July 28, 1984. John is an American actor and former professional football player. He began his collegiate football career at Morehouse College before signing with the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2006.
Professionally, Washington played running back with the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League for four years. Following in his father’s footsteps, John began his acting career by securing a role in the HBO comedy series “Ballers.” The series, which aired from 2015 to 2019, saw him become a prominent cast member.
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