Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. (born December 28, 1954) is an American actor, director, and producer. He has been described as an actor who reconfigured "the concept of classic movie stardom", associating with characters defined by their grace, dignity, humanity, and inner strength. He has received seventeen NAACP Image Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, one Tony Award, and two Academy Awards from nine nominations: Best Supporting Actor for playing Union Army soldier Private Trip in the historical drama film "Glory" (1989), and Best Actor for his role as corrupt detective Alonzo Harris in the crime thriller "Training Day" (2001). In 2020, "The New York Times" ranked him as the greatest actor of the twenty-first century.