Denzel Washington Would Rather See His Son Play in a Super Bowl than Win Another Oscar

By Nicki Gostin Posted Nov 10th 2010 10:30AM

In 'Unstoppable,' based on a true story, Denzel Washington plays a railway engineer who partners with a conductor (Chris Pine) in a race against time to stop a runaway train laden with toxic chemicals. It's a fun roller-coaster ride expertly directed by Tony Scott, who's directed Denzel in five films, including 'Man on Fire,' 'Crimson Tide' and 'The Taking of Pelham 123.' When PopEater spoke to Denzel, we knew we'd have a fun conversation, but never in our wildest dreams did we think we would be discussing breast milk with the two-time Oscar winner.

Did you meet the actual man you portrayed in 'Unstoppable'?
I did. We did get a chance to meet the two men on who the story was loosely based.

I imagine you're a little bit more handsome.
I'm a little bit darker, too, because he's not black.

You've worked with Tony Scott like 27 times.
28.

Ever get into arguments with him?
Sure, all the time. I just beat him and then he does what I say. Nah, he's a good man and the reason we've worked together five times is because he's very good, and obviously we've had a lot of success together.

Is it irritating that he constantly wears that ratty cap?
You haven't seen the pink shorts. He used to wear these little pink shorts. I guess he's man enough to wear them.

Your son John David plays football. Ever wish he'd chosen a less dangerous sport?
Had I known he was going to be this good of an athlete, I would have given him a golf club or a baseball bat to play with. I think he can handle himself, but yes, it's a dangerous game.

What would be better -- winning another Oscar or seeing him play in a Super Bowl?
Seeing him play in a Super Bowl? No. Seeing him win in a Super Bowl.

When did you know you were a success?
It depends on how you define success. In your personal life or how much money you have or how many friends you have...

How about as an actor.
When I didn't have to sneak out of a restaurant. I could actually just pay. You never heard me say that.

That's a bit naughty. When was that?
Last Tuesday. I'm joking! It's a joke!

I know that! Ever look in the mirror and say, 'I'm Denzel Washington!'
No.

Who's left for you to work with? Your dream list.
Any actor whose last name ends with O -- De Niro, Pacino, Hoffmano.

Ever collar them at a restaurant?
No, but that's not a bad idea. It wouldn't be cheesy to do it if they said yes.

You have four children, and two are twins. With two kids under the age of three, I'm in awe of anyone who has twins. How did you get through the first two years?
I was smart enough to go to work. The first three or four months were rough for Pauletta. Her mother was with us. But she was breastfeeding and couldn't get them on the same schedule. They wouldn't feed together. When she got one to sleep the other one would start waking up and back and forth. Thank goodness for those pumps. She'd freeze up all that milk and I'd have to sit up -- nah, I'm not going to tell that lie -- her mother would sit up and feed.

My freezer is full of breast milk.
Is it? You still have to clear the pipes? I think it helps for the children, their health and all that. Adults too.

Yeah, you can add a dash to your espresso.
That's right. Send me over a bag, will you?

You recently went to the White House.
I was doing a Boys & Girls Club event. They had a Youth of the Year award. The five finalists won a trip to Washington and got to meet the president, so I went with them.

So you tagged along for the meet-and-greet?
I kicked them out so I could hit him up for some money. No, they're quite supportive of the Boys & Girls Club.

Which you went to a lot when you were a kid, right?
I lived there. Obviously it didn't work, as you can see, but they tried their best.

What did you plan on being before you studied acting?
I went to college to be a doctor. I just took a class in acting because they said you can get an easy and good grade in it and I just liked getting good grades easily. It's still true!

What are your hobbies?
Eating ice cream, looking for actors with the last name ending in O, and what was that other thing you asked me? Yeah, looking in the mirror and saying, "I'm Denzel Washington." I'm actually doing that right now. I'm not even listening to you.

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Denzel Washington Photos

Denzel Washington attends a game between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. More photos >>

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Denzel Washington Photos

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 09: Denzel Washington attends a game between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 9, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Denzel Washington *** Local Caption *** Denzel Washington

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 09: Denzel Washington (L) and Daniel Negreanu (R) attend a game between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 9, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Denzel Washington;Daniel Negreanu

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Actor Denzel Washington, left, chares a laugh with former NBA player Norm Nixon during the first half of NBA basketball game between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 9: Actor Denzel Washington (L) and former NBA player Norm Nixon attend a game between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 9, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Denzel Washington;Norm Nixon

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A Denzel Washington wax figure is seen at Madame Tussauds in Hollywood, California, on August 27, 2009. Marie Tussaud, born Anna Maria Grosholtz (1761�1850) was born in Strasbourg, France. Tussaud created her first wax figure, of Voltaire, in 1777. Other famous people she modelled at that time include Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Benjamin Franklin. During the French Revolution she modelled many prominent victims. In her memoirs she claims that she would search through corpses to find the decapitated heads of executed citizens, from which she would make death masks. Madame Tussaud's wax museum has now grown to become a major tourist attraction in London, it has expanded with branches in Amsterdam, Berlin, Las Vegas, New York City, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Washington, D.C., and Hollywood since 2009. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

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Tags: Denzel Washington, Unstoppable

Comments

(2)

Wednesday 10 November

By Carol Anne Thomas

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Denzel's wife Paula is absolutely beautiful! What a lovely couple they make. How can she look so lovely while taking care of all those precious kids? Major mother and wife I'd say.

By Bill

I guess everyone is getting tired of the Oscars. It's gotten to the point of boredom. Same old words, just rearranged. Sucking up to bosses, and the like, and tooting each others horn.

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