Acclaimed actors Denzel Washington and Pauletta have maintained their marriage for over four decades, and it seems like the two are still crazy about each other — so much so that Washington is willing to video call his wife in the middle of an interview.
Fans online got a glimpse into their love in a resurfaced clip from the “Equalizer” star’s interview at the American Black Film Festival on June 15.
26 years after his first appearance in 1998, he visited the festival again, this time as part of the program “Retrospective: Celebrating the Legacy of Denzel Washington”.
In a clip where he talks about his children, Washington credited his wife as the reason for his children’s involvement and interest in filmmaking. Interviewer Chaz Ebert revealed that all four of Washington’s children have been in front of and/or behind the screen at some point in their careers. Most would assume that Washington, who is the most well-known in his family, is the reason for this.
But without hesitation, the star of “The Great Debaters” said the children “have everything from their mother’s side. Has it got none from me?” The audience applauded as he continued: “Pauletta, since I’ve known her, she’s been a film lover, so she’s got the kids into watching films.”
In the middle of talking about his wife of 41 years, the Oscar winner reaches into his pocket, pulls out his phone and starts scrolling. He reveals that he was going to try calling Pauletta and even predicted that “she’s going to be mad” when she finds out he called her in the middle of his interview.
A second later, Washington says to his wife, now reachable by video call, “You know I’m in an interview, right?”, kicking his feet in the air and bursting into laughter after Pauletta presumably answers the phone.
The whole crowd starts laughing and the “Mo’ Better Blues” star tells them that the first thing Pauletta did was roll her eyes and turn her head away. “Just like a black woman,” he said.
Washington then turns the phone toward the crowd so the audience can see Pauletta and show her some love. Pauletta stands there in shock, with her hand on her head and her mouth open, smiling.
If I had to choose a spokesperson for a black marriage and family movement, it would be Denzel Washington. He is widely respected, open about his faith, and has been married for decades without any public scandals. He also understands the power of art and culture.pic.twitter.com/XyFjOL3RqJ
— Delano Squires (@DelanoSquires) June 18, 2024
When he turns the phone back to himself, she says, “Tomorrow is Father’s Day, so forget about buying presents,” which shocks Washington. Later, he asks Pauletta, “So I’m not getting any cake, nothing?” to which she replies in a joking but threatening tone, “I’ll give you some cake, okay?”
The clips sparked positive comments from fans praising the couple’s relationship. One person said, “You can tell he REALLY loves this woman,” and another wrote, “I smiled so much my cheeks almost fell off.” A third person joked, “Denzel is STILL in love.”
A fourth said: “He doesn’t joke with her.”
Washington and Pauletta met in 1977 on the set of the film “Wilma,” in which they both played the leading roles. They had two sons and two daughters.
Her older son, John David Washington, who played college football at Morehouse College and was under contract with the then St. Louis Rams, is now an actor and has played leading roles in films such as “Tenet” and the Spike Lee film “BlaKKKlansman.”
John David Washington criticizing the interviewer for leaving out his mother Paulette is the best thing on the internet. You guys better show the Washington family some respect. Even Denzel mentioned that she’s the head of the family, dude. pic.twitter.com/KjCzfU6WPT
– 𝚏𝚊𝚛𝚡𝚒𝚢𝚘. (@hausofriya) 16.08.2018
Next up is Katia Washington, the couple’s eldest daughter. She decided to stay behind the camera and work on the set of “Django Unchained” and her father’s films “The Equalizer” and “Fences.” Her younger son, Malcolm Washington, was also recruited by Lee to work as an assistant on the series “That’s Life.”
Finally, Malcolm’s twin sister Olivia has followed in her father and brother John’s footsteps and has been in front of the camera, taking on roles in some of Lee Daniels’ projects such as The Butler and Empire. Olivia has also appeared in her father’s films The Little Things and The Tragedy of Macbeth.
“Acting is a living, but family is life.”
—Denzel Washington pic.twitter.com/2gyaVPkCM1
—Dr. FeelingsxFree (@chudunno_me) 21 December 2023
