
Denzel Washington is married to his wife Pauletta Pearson.
Denzel Hayes Washington Jr, professionally known as Denzel Washington is one of the most highly reputed actors in Hollywood history who has been performing for over 6 decades. After completing his training in acting at the American Conservatory Theater, Washington began his career in theater, acting in performances off-Broadway. The actor got his first major role in the industry for the project St. Elsewhere (1982–1988) and in the war film A Soldier's Story (1984).
As a lead cast member, Denzel Washington has appeared in various movies and plays in his career including titles like The Pelican Brief, Philadelphia (both 1993), Crimson Tide (1995), Remember the Titans (2000), Man on Fire (2004), Déjà Vu, Inside Man (both 2006), American Gangster (2007), 2 Guns (2013), and The Equalizer trilogy (2014–2023). The actor was recognized as the greatest actor of the 21st century in 2020, by The New York Times. The actor received several awards and accolades in his career, including two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award.
Who is Denzel Washington’s wife?
Denzel Washington has been married since 1983 to actress Pauletta Pearson. According to People, the duo had met each other on the sets of his first movie, 1977's Wilma, but it was a few months after that when the couple officially started dating each other. The two eventually went on to marry each other in 1983 and welcomed four children into their family.
During a 2018 interview with PEOPLE magazine, Denzel Washington claimed how thankful he was for his wife’s support stating, "You can buy a house, but that doesn't make it a home. And not to say a man can't make a home a home, but my wife has made our house a home, and raised these beautiful kids and protected them and sacrificed for them, she did the heavy lifting." During his appearance on Tom Brady's radio show, Let’s Go!, the actor stated, "I have been blessed beyond measure with the greatest woman in the world, who not only is a beautiful woman and a great wife and a great mother of our children, but she holds everything together.”
Who is Pauletta Washington?
Pauletta Washington (née Pearson) is a successful American actress, musician, and pianist who made a name for herself in Hollywood, majorly through her acting career. The actress started her career as a Broadway star appearing in various plays including Jesus Christ Superstar and Shakespeare's Cabaret. She landed her first acting gig in a television film which was titled Wilma, a documentary based on sprinter Wilma Rudolph. After getting married to Denzel and having kids, Pauletta took a break from her acting career.
In her interview with Wendy Williams in 2011, Pauletta said, "When I became pregnant ... [St. Elsewhere] was shooting in Los Angeles and I was here on Broadway. Where would the child be, you know, in the air? So I decided that I wanted to — it was my choice — to be home and create a home. I'm so happy I did." Later on, Pauletta took over philanthropy work, becoming one of the founding and executive members of The Brain Trust of Cedars-Sinai, which raises money and awareness for research into brain tumors.
Also read: Denzel Washington's Net Worth
FAQS on Denzel Washington
A. Denzel Washington has a total of 4 children in his family.
A. No, as of 2025, Denzel has not retired from acting.
A. Yes, Denzel Washington has an older sister named Lorice and a younger brother named David.