Who’s the more talented actor?
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Denzel WashingtonDenzel Washington, born in Mount Vernon, New York, in 1954, is a highly acclaimed actor, director, and producer whose career has spanned over five decades. A renowned name on screen and stage, Washington got his big break with his role on the NBC hospital drama "St. Elsewhere" from 1982 to 1988. He was first nominated for an Academy Award for his acting in the 1987 film "Cry Freedom" and achieved his first Oscar in 1989 for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of an ex-slave soldier in "Glory.".
A frequent Spike Lee collaborator, Washington was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his powerful portrayal of the title role in the 1992 film "Malcolm X". He continued to appear in a string of successes in the 1990s, including "Philadelphia", "The Pelican Brief", and "Crimson Tide". He also received a second Academy Award nomination for his role as wrongly convicted boxer Rubin 'The Hurricane' Carter in "The Hurricane". In 2001, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as a corrupt cop in the thriller "Training Day".
Alongside his movie career, Washington has had a Tony Award for his work on the stage. He won a Tony Award in 2010 for his performances in the August Wilson play "Fences", which he later directed and produced as a film, earning him numerous Academy Award nominations. He has moved on to starring roles, such as the "The Equalizer" film franchise, along with an Academy Award nomination for his lead role in the 2021 film "The Tragedy of Macbeth".
Washington's accolades list has only continued to grow in the last few years. In 2016, he was awarded the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement at the Golden Globes, and in 2020, The New York Times named him the greatest actor of the 21st century. Some of his more recent projects include starring in the 2023 film "The Equalizer 3", and reuniting with Spike Lee for the 2025 film "Highest 2 Lowest". He also appeared in the 2024 film "Gladiator II". He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in 2025.
A frequent Spike Lee collaborator, Washington was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his powerful portrayal of the title role in the 1992 film "Malcolm X". He continued to appear in a string of successes in the 1990s, including "Philadelphia", "The Pelican Brief", and "Crimson Tide". He also received a second Academy Award nomination for his role as wrongly convicted boxer Rubin 'The Hurricane' Carter in "The Hurricane". In 2001, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as a corrupt cop in the thriller "Training Day".
Alongside his movie career, Washington has had a Tony Award for his work on the stage. He won a Tony Award in 2010 for his performances in the August Wilson play "Fences", which he later directed and produced as a film, earning him numerous Academy Award nominations. He has moved on to starring roles, such as the "The Equalizer" film franchise, along with an Academy Award nomination for his lead role in the 2021 film "The Tragedy of Macbeth".
Washington's accolades list has only continued to grow in the last few years. In 2016, he was awarded the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement at the Golden Globes, and in 2020, The New York Times named him the greatest actor of the 21st century. Some of his more recent projects include starring in the 2023 film "The Equalizer 3", and reuniting with Spike Lee for the 2025 film "Highest 2 Lowest". He also appeared in the 2024 film "Gladiator II". He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in 2025.
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Our editors comb through past and current most popular items to determine who to include in battles. We include all time favorites and classics, like Pink Floyd, Citizen Kane, "Hey Jude" and more recent ones like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pulp Fiction and The Walking Dead. Then we randomly create battles to see who is tops. If you have a particular favorite, vote in all their matchups so you can make sure they are always #1. We’re always updating our player lists and adding more categories, so don’t forget to come back every day. For each player, we always provide a detailed biography of each player under the battle, to help you make your vote! Be sure to read them if you need more information. Combined with your own knowledge, you’ll be able to make an informed decision.
