By Jamil Weeks

No, Denzel Washington is not retiring, at least not exactly. However, the Hollywood icon will turn 70 at the end of next month. In a recent interview while promoting his latest film, Gladiator II, the actor expressed that after his next five films, he plans to take a step back from acting. Denzel hinted at being involved in filmmaking behind the camera as a director, and only acting in films if the project is compelling enough. After a career spanning almost 50 years in theater, television, and film, Denzel has certainly earned the right to be selective in what films he wishes to work on. Below are the five films Denzel has committed to work on before his “retirement”:

• Antoine Fuqua’s Hannibal
• A Steve McQueen movie
• Black Panther 3
• An Othello adaptation
• Spike Lee’s High N Low

While he may not be officially retiring, we certainly will not see as much of Denzel acting as we have become accustomed to in the past few decades. Denzel’s talent has made him a superstar in Tinseltown. A man who has risen to the highest levels of acting with a body of work you can put up next to anyone. Rather it’s Brando, Day-Lewis, Nicholson, Hanks, DeNiro, or Pacino, Denzel has amassed a resume that places him in the discussion as one of the top five actors of all time. While his acting career is not finished, Denzel is close to entering the twilight of his thespian labor. With that being said, I am delivering to Denzel his bouquet of flowers while he can still smell them by paying homage to one of the most successful and esteemed careers in Hollywood lore.

Denzel has played a variety of roles. From human rights activist, Malcolm X, to Harlem kingpin, Frank Lucas. Denzel earned a reputation for delivering passionate and thoughtfully sincere performances with each role he tackles. The intensity and drive Denzel has consistently exhibited is what has made him a household name. Denzel paid his dues dating back to the late 70s where he got his first acting gigs on Broadway and on television, most notably in the television series, St. Elsewhere. Mainly known for his dramatic roles, Denzel has dabbled in other movie genres, such as comedy, science fiction, action, mystery, thriller, crime, western, and even horror. Like other brilliant actors, Denzel’s commitment to his craft is best illustrated by the method style of acting where he fully immerses himself in that character to make his portrayal as authentic as possible. The moral ambiguity and complexity of the characters he has portrayed along with his almost obsessive preparation and rigid work ethic are why Denzel has been captivating moviegoers with his unforgettable depictions. From his piercingly sharp glare to his smooth “money earning” Mount Vernon accent to his unrivaled on-screen charisma, Denzel finds himself in a rare space of actors who can carry a film almost single-handedly. The enduring depictions of his characters, from the crooked cop, Alonzo Harris, in Training Day, to the bitter and self-loathing Union soldier, Private Trip, in Glory, are a reason why he is regarded as one of the best actors of our generation.

Denzel has worked with some of the best directors in the movie industry. Rather it is Sidney Lumet (Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico), Ridley Scott (Alien, Gladiator), or Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Forest Gump), working with some of the most celebrated film directors has helped bring out the best in Denzel’s performances. Perhaps a reason for some of his genius performances is how he has built a rapport with certain directors. Denzel has a history of working with the same director on multiple films. Denzel has made numerous films with Antoine Fuqua, Tony Scott, and Edward Zwick. Perhaps his most well-known collaborator is Spike Lee. The pair formed a formidable duo in Hollywood, like Pacino and DePalma or DeNiro and Scorsese. One of their signatures is that slowed down dolly shot that has become a trademark in Spike’s filmmaking repertoire. A reason Denzel is so revered in the black community is his propensity to work with black filmmakers. Other than Lee and Fuqua, Denzel’s appearances in films directed by The Hughes Brothers, Carl Franklin, as well as upcoming films by Steve McQueen and Ryan Coogler, prove that Denzel has not forgotten where he came from no matter how big of a movie star he has become. Maybe working with so many A-list directors sparked a desire for Denzel to graduate to his next daunting challenge of proving himself as a director, like Clint Eastwood.

Deep into his career, Denzel has expressed on occasion his wish to direct more films. Paying it forward, Denzel has gradually assumed a mentor role to cultivate and nurture talent of tomorrow’s promising actors. Rather it’s Michael B. Jordan, Jurnee Smollett, or Derek Luke, Denzel loves to work with younger actors that normally would not get opportunities to star in major roles. As a director, Denzel wishes to tell thematically rich stories of the black experience that are thoughtful, emotional, and uplifting. Films like his directorial debut, Antwone Fisher, where Denzel plays a psychiatrist helping Derek Luke, as the troubled title character, confront his painful past. In his next film, The Great Debaters (also biographical in nature), Denzel stars as a college professor who assembled the first black debate team to challenge Harvard’s debate champions. The film Denzel is most known for is his third film, Fences. Nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of the lead character, Fences is based on the 1985 play, where the character, Troy, was played by the late great James Earl Jones. Denzel delivers a touching performance as a bitter sanitation worker whose shortcomings in life causes tension in his household with his wife and son. In his most recent film as a director, Denzel tells the story of an American soldier, played by Michael B. Jordan, who writes to his son in a journal while deployed in Iraq. Most of these passion projects delineate true events that honor the source material. Denzel has further diversified his portfolio by directing an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, which is a much different experience as a director going from movies to television. Denzel has worn multiple hats as an actor and producer in most of his directorial projects. Admittedly he is still trying to find his way as a director. As he plans to take a step back from acting after the next round of films, Denzel plans to hone his skills as a director in the future.

Denzel is a living legend. As an actor, he is highly decorated, winning Oscars for Best Supporting Actor and Best Actor (in addition to multiple other Oscar nominations), three Golden Globes, a Tony Award, and 13 NAACP Image Awards. In addition, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the AFI Life Achievement Award. There is already Oscar buzz circulating around his latest role as Macrinus in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II. One cannot help but be inspired by his dedication to his work. Denzel has also been instrumental in guiding the careers of some of today’s biggest stars behind the scenes, such as Glen Powell and the late, Chadwick Boseman. The man is a walking quotable, always dropping jewels in interviews and other public appearances based on knowledge gained from his own life experience. Never being implicated in any scandal, Denzel has lived an honorable life and has raised a beautiful family. Denzel’s star studded family boasts a wife, sons, and daughters who are also involved in the industry as producers, actors, and director. Perhaps his biggest legacy is his son, John David Washington, who has starred in films directed by Soike Lee, Christopher Nolan, Gareth Edwards, David O. Russell, and his own brother, Malcolm Washington. No matter how big or small the film, Denzel lends credibility to any film through his incredibly intense and honest performances that linger in our hearts long after the credits roll. He is the consummate professional and his deep affection for the cinematic experience is displayed by his obsessive approach to filmmaking. Appreciate this man while he is still alive. For his tireless work throughout my lifetime, I salute the monumental career of the immensely gifted, Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr.