Denzel Washington Says ‘I’m Not Interested in Oscars’ and ‘Don’t Care’ About Them: ‘They Won’t Do Me a Bit of Good’ When I Die

Denzel Washington has nine Academy Award nominations under his belt and two Oscar wins (best supporting actor for “Glory” and best actor for “Training Day”), but he places no value on such career milestones. Speaking to “Jake’s Takes” on his “Highest 2 Lowest” press tour, Washington said no acting decision he makes in his career has to do with winning awards.

“I don’t do it for Oscars. I don’t care about that kind of stuff,” Washington said. “I’ve been at this a long time, and there’s time when I won and shouldn’t have won and then didn’t win and should’ve won. Man gives the award. God gives the reward.”

Washington continued, “I’m not that interested in Oscars. People ask me, ‘Where do I keep it?’ Well, next to the other one. I’m not bragging! Just telling you how I feel about it. On my last day, aren’t going to do me a bit of good.”

Just earlier this year, Washington was considered a major Oscar snub after he failed to land a best supporting actor nomination for “Gladiator II.” Not that Washington cared. As he sarcastically told The New York Times when asked about the snub: “Are you kidding me? Awww. Oh, I’m so upset. I’m happy for all that did, and I’m happy with what I’m doing.”

Not getting caught up in awards has long been Washington’s mantra. His “Training Day” co-star Ethan Hawke appeared on Max’s “Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?” last year and remembered how Washington leaned over to him when Hawke lost best supporting actor on Oscar night to tell him, “It’s better that you didn’t win. Losing was better.”

“You don’t want an award to improve your status. You want to improve the award’s status. That’s the way he thinks,” Hawke said about Washington’s advice in the moment. “That’s what I’m talking about playing with Babe Ruth. The Academy Award has more power, because Denzel has a couple. It didn’t elevate who he was.”

“Highest 2 Lowest” opens in select theaters Aug. 15 from A24 and Apple Studios. The movie will be available to stream on Apple TV+ starting Sept. 5. Watch Washington’s full interview on “Jake’s Takes” in the video below.