Denzel Washington has been one of Hollywood’s most prolific actors for more than three decades. He’s starred in dozens of films, won numerous awards, and was once, bafflingly, among only seven people Colombian rebels were willing to negotiate with during a hostage exchange.
Between all of his accomplishments, Washington somehow also found time to start a family. The 67-year-old, who was first married in 1983, has never been divorced. He remains married to his wife, Pauletta Pearson, who he met on set of one of his first projects, the film Wilma.
The two share four children between them ⏤ two sons and two daughters ⏤ many of whom have followed in their father’s footsteps, growing up to dazzle on stage and screen just like he has over the course of his career.
John David Washington
The eldest Washington child was born in July of 1984. He’s found consistent success throughout his life, first as a football player and later as an actor. After spending four years as the running back for the UFL’s Sacramento Mountain Lions, John David shifted gears. He entered the world of acting, like his father, cinching several stellar roles starting in the mid-2010s.
John David was among the main cast members on Ballers, returning several times to the popular HBO series. He didn’t become a recognizable figure until 2018, however, when he starred as Ron Stallworth in Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman, according to Hollywood Life. For this role, he received several nominations, including a Golden Globe nod for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture. His most prominent role, for which he won the Saturn Award for Best Actor, saw John David star in Tenet, one of 2020’s biggest films.
Katia Washington
The second child in the Washington family lineup was born just a few years after her brother, in November of 1986. Katia sought out a future in the film industry from a young age, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts at Yale University, a degree she obtained in 2010.
From there, Katia went on to work as a producer, collaborating on several films including Pieces of a Woman and Fences. One of her biggest projects saw Katia work in the editorial department, throwing her weight behind Quentin Tarantino’s award-winning Django Unchained.
Olivia Washington
Olivia and her brother Malcolm, the Washington family twins, were born in April of 1991. Like the rest of her famous family, Olivia found work as a model and actress following her graduation from New York University. She has since appeared in a number of films and televised releases, including Chicago P.D. and Mr. Robot, and even appeared in Lee Daniel’s 2013 film The Butler.
Malcolm Washington
Malcolm, born in the same year as his twin sister, also pursued the film industry from a young age. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, and received his degree in film studies. From there, he launched into a career behind the camera, focusing on producing and directing instead of acting. He’s worked on a number of well-known projects in the years since his graduation, was a producer on The Dispute, and earned several director credits working on films like Benny Got Shot and Trouble Man.
