Denzel Washington is opening up about his faith and how a frightening injury has influenced his approach to acting.
“I bit my tongue almost halfway off a few months ago,” Washington, 70, revealed on the Saturday, February 8 episode of The Interview podcast. “It’s affecting my speech. It forces me to slow down. I have to use it.”
Washington—who was named the greatest actor of the 21st century in 2020—explained how the injury has impacted his preparation for his upcoming role as Othello on Broadway, where he will star alongside Jake Gyllenhaal.
“I have a line: ‘Whither will you that I go to answer this your charge?’ It’s hard because my tongue is swollen,” he said. “It has affected everything.”
Denzel Washington’s Acting Advice to His Children
The Academy Award-winning actor also shared how nearly biting off his tongue became a moment of spiritual reflection.
“That’s why you pray every day,” he said. “I’m like, ‘OK, Lord, I’m here, I think this is what you wanted me to do.’ Now I’m not sure why [I bit my tongue], but one can say coincidence and serendipity and all those things.”
Washington did not provide details on how the injury occurred or if he sought medical treatment.
Washington on the Role of Acting in Difficult Times
When asked whether he believes his work as an actor makes a difference in people’s lives, Washington again emphasized his faith and how it shapes his perspective.
Denzel Washington (Photo: Shutterstock)
“At this point, everything I’m doing is through the lens of what God thinks, not what they think. I don’t know what they think,” he said. “You go down that hole, you’ll never come out of it. When people ask, ‘What do you want people to get from this movie?’ or ‘What do you want them to take from this play?’ I always say, ‘It depends upon what they bring to it.’”
Discussing Othello, he added, “There are some interesting themes—jealousy, envy, pain, and death.”
Washington also praised director Kenny Leon’s unique vision for the production, explaining how he is setting the play in “the near future.”
“All of those things—jealousy, envy—take on a whole new meaning in the information age,” he noted.
Acting Alongside Jake Gyllenhaal
In addition to discussing his faith and craft, Washington reflected on his experience working with co-star Jake Gyllenhaal, describing him as “complicated.”
“He’s nuts. I love him,” Washington said. “He’s complicated. But he’s already got a handle on it.”
He also shared insight into his acting process, revealing that he deliberately avoids memorizing lines too early.
“I was telling a young actor who asked, ‘Why don’t you like to learn them too soon?’ I said: ‘Because then I’m the voice I’m listening to, delivering the cues to myself. I want to hear it from you, and that’s going to affect how I say what I say.’ For me, that works.”
