Denzel Washington says he ‘doesn’t know what Hollywood means’ and argues he is simply ‘a stage actor who does film’

Despite decades of success in Hollywood, Denzel Washington has said he still considers himself a stage actor first.

The Oscar-winning star recently opened up about his return to Broadway in a major new revival of Othello, where he stars opposite Jake Gyllenhaal.

The Shakespeare production, which officially opened the same day, marks the first time Othello appeared on Broadway in over 40 years.

Washington, 70, said the theatre remains his true artistic home despite his status as a Hollywood icon.

Speaking on CBS News Sunday Morning, he explained, “I’m a stage actor who does film; it’s not the other way around. I did stage first. I learned how to act on stage, not on film.”

He continued, “Movies are a filmmaker’s medium… Theater is an actor’s medium.”

“The curtain goes up, nobody can help you.”

Washington also dismissed the label of “Hollywood actor.”

He said, “I’m from Mt. Vernon, so I’m a ‘Mt. Vernon actor’. I don’t know what ‘Hollywood’ means.”

Directed by Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon, the new production of Othello features Washington in the title role, with Gyllenhaal, 44, as Iago.

The last Broadway staging of the play took place in 1982, starring James Earl Jones and Christopher Plummer.

Reflecting on stepping into a role previously played by Jones, Washington said the legendary actor was a major influence.

He said, “James Earl Jones was my northern star when I was in college.”

“He was who I wanted to be.”

Though he first played Othello at 22, Washington said his understanding of the role has evolved.

“I thought I knew everything then,” he admitted. “Now I understand it’s really about a bond… He loves not wisely, but too well.”

The actor also spoke about his enthusiasm for working with Gyllenhaal on such an ambitious production.

“This is the most excited I’ve been this century,” he said. “Seriously. I haven’t been this excited about anything I’ve done as I am about this.”

The 15-week run is produced by Brian Anthony Moreland, with Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker among the co-producers.