Denzel Washington’s Son John David Would Lie about His Dad’s Identity for ‘Some Sense of Normalcy’ – Meet Him

• Denzel Washington's son used to conceal who his father was to live a normal life.
• While John David Washington followed in his father's acting footsteps, he began his career as an athlete.
• He has appeared in several award-winning films, starring alongside high-profile actors.

There's a lot that comes with having famous parents: privileges, special treatment, luxury, and many other things. But it also has disadvantages, like the lack of privacy and the heightened interest surrounding his family.

Denzel Washington's son, John David Washington, knew this, so early on, he tried to hide his father's identity. He revealed:

"I was related to Denzel Washington. I saw how people changed when they found out who my father was. I used to lie, saying he was a construction worker or in jail, just to have some sense of normalcy."

While John David has now followed in his father's acting footsteps, Denzel didn't envision his son becoming an actor. Instead, he wanted him to be a pro football player, a career Denzel once desired.

John David played college football at Morehouse College and signed with the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He also spent four years in the United Football League as a running back for the Sacramento Mountain Lions.

John David would later leave his football career behind and venture into acting. He has since built a successful acting career, starring in award-winning films like "BlacKkKlansman," playing alongside celebrated actors like Alec Baldwin and Adam Driver.

John David's other projects include the 2020 Oscar-winning action film, "Tenet," the 2021 romance film, "Malcolm & Marie," and the action-adventure film, "The Creator," among others.

Fan Reactions to John David's Striking Resemblance to His Parents

When the official trailer of "The Creator" was shared on YouTube, fans couldn't help but notice John David's impressive acting skills and his resemblance to his famous parents. One fan commented," It was a good film 8/10. David looks like his daddy, Denzel Washington."

Another fan highlighted how something John David seemed to have inherited from his father—his voice. The person wrote, "It's crazy how much he sounds like Denzel. Genuinely awesome."

Comments about John David's resemblance to his parents have been there for years. Back in 2020, when he appeared on "The Breakfast Club," a fan gushed about him being an "awesome actor," while somebody else wrote, "He looks like his mom and dad." Another commented, "Yesss, sounds like Denzel, looks like Paula."

Making His Own Name

Even though John David's father is a successful actor who might have connections in Hollywood, the younger Washington hasn't ridden in his father's shadow. He has climbed the success ladder through sheer hard work and determination, just like any aspiring actor.

John David's journey has involved countless auditions. While some auditions turned out successful, others didn't. The actor once recounted shedding tears after being rejected in an audition he thought he nailed.

John David's pursuit of a football career was mainly due to his desire to escape his father's shadow. Becoming successful in his own right was something that he yearned for.

Thus, when he joined the NFL out of college, and his hard work led him to get more jobs, playing in different teams, he felt good. He said he enjoyed the feeling because he wanted to create his own name. In fact, he admitted, he would be fine if people said of him, "I don't know who he is, but he can play."

In 2013, he bid goodbye to his football career after a leg injury and decided to pursue his acting dream. In the first year, he landed his first significant role in the acclaimed sports comedy "Ballers," playing Ricky Jerret alongside Dwayne Johnson, and went on to secure more roles.

John David credits his father's advice on the value of hard work as a guiding principle that has shaped his career. As an actor, he aspires to create a positive impact and inspire others through his artistic work.

John David's Heartwarming Tributes to His Parents

In 2018, before the release of his movie, "BlacKKKlansman," John David appeared in an interview with "Today" host Craig Melvin. While the two talked about everything from his acting career to growing up as Denzel's son, John David didn't miss the moment of giving his mother her flowers.

He gushed over his mother, recognizing her as an artist in her own right and highlighting her powerful role in his life and their entire family.

The talented actor also briefly touched on his parents' love story and how his mother, Pauletta Washington, supported Denzel in the early stages of their relationship when he was still struggling to build a name for himself.

In 2021, Denzel got emotional during an interview when he was shown a previous clip of John David expressing his pride for his father when he was honored as the greatest actor of the 21st century. Denzel was rendered speechless, admitting he didn't know about the interview.

On several occasions, John David has expressed his deepest gratitude for the valuable life lessons instilled by his parents. In 2018, he highlighted the profound wisdom he gained from them, particularly their teachings on love and compassion.

While John David has had several relationships on screen, he said in 2020 that he was single and admitted to struggling with finding love in real life. Even though he once mentioned he had been in two previous relationships, he said they didn't materialize into something serious.

In a 2016 conversation with Steve Harvey, John David admitted that his trust issues had hindered his ability to find love and expressed concerns that people might be drawn to him because of his father's fame rather than genuine interest in him as an individual.

In addition to showcasing his talents as an athlete and actor, John David's prowess extends to the world of chess, showcasing his diverse interests and abilities.