VideoWatch Macbeth Star Denzel Washington’s Impression of Laurence Olivier in OthelloThe star discussed his experience with Shakespeare and saying “Macbeth” in a theatre.
By
Dan Meyer
December 17, 2021
Like any NYC theatre student, Denzel Washington frequented the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. There, to prepare for his own performance in Othello, the Tony and Oscar winner studied Laurence Olivier in Shakespeare’s tragedy. Check out the star’s impression of the theatre giant above in an interview on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
Washington stars in the upcoming The Tragedy of Macbeth, in theatres Christmas Day and streaming on Apple TV+ January 14, 2022,as the doomed king opposite Frances McDormand as Lady Macbeth. Of the oft-mentioned superstition to not say “Macbeth” in a theatre, the star said, “I’m a god-fearing man; I don’t play that, man, no, I don’t believe in ghosts.” To prove his point, he then proceeded to say the word three times in the Ed Sullivan Theatre, where the late-night talk show is filmed.
In addition, Washington practiced some Shakespearean monologues with Colbert (“Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow creeps…”), talked about his first-ever show (Eugene O’Neill’s The Emperor Jones), and shared the advice he’d give to his younger self.
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Celebrating Tony Award Winner Denzel Washington
Celebrating Tony Award Winner Denzel Washington
30 PHOTOS
Arnold Wilkerson, Gilbert Lewis and Denzel Washington in the 1979 Players State Theatre production Ceremonies in Dark Old Men
Denzel Washington and Kirk Kirksey in the 1981 New Federal Theatre production of When The Chickens Come Home To Roost.
Brent Jennings, Steven Anthony Jones, Eugene Lee, Denzel Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, James Pickens and Peter Friedman in the 1981 Negro Ensemble Company production of A Soldier’s Play.
Adolph Caesar, Denzel Washington, Peter Friedman and Cast in the 1981 Negro Ensemble Company production of A Soldier’s Play.
Denzel Washington and S. Epatha Merkerson in the 1984 National Black Touring Circuit production of Every Goodbye Ain’t Gone.
Paul Winfield, Ruby Dee, Denzel Washington and Marsha Jackson in the 1988 Broadway production Checkmates.
Paul Winfield, Ruby Dee, Marsha Jackson and Denzel Washington in the 1988 Broadway production Checkmates.
Martha Swope
Marsha Jackson and Denzel Washington in the 1988 Broadway production Checkmates.
Denzel Washington in the 1990 New York Shakespeare Festival production of Richard III.
Martha Swope
Sharon Washington and Denzel Washington in the 1990 New York Shakespeare Festival production of Richard III.
Denzel Washington in the 2005 Broadway production Julius Caesar.
Colm Feore, Denzel Washington, Jack Willis and Patrick Page in the 2005 Broadway production Julius Caesar.
Patrick Page, Richard Topol and Denzel Washington in the 2005 Broadway production Julius Caesar.
Denzel Washington and Stephen McKinley Henderson in Fences.
Joan Marcus
Viola Davis and Denzel Washington in Fences.
Joan Marcus
Viola Davis, Chris Chalk, Denzel Washington and Mykelti Williamson in the 2010 Broadway production Fences.
Joan Marcus
Denzel Washington and Viola Davis holding their Tony Awards on June 13, 2010.
David Cromer, Bryce Kyle Jenkins, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Anika Noni Rose, Denzel Washington and Sophie Okonedo in the 2014 Broadway production A Raisin in the Sun.
Brigitte Lacombe
Denzel Washington and LaTanya Richardson Jackson in the 2014 Broadway production A Raisin in the Sun.
Sophie Okonedo, Denzel Washington and Anika Noni Rose in the 2014 Broadway production A Raisin in the Sun.
Denzel Washington and Sophie Okonedo in the 2014 Broadway production A Raisin in the Sun.
Brigitte Lacombe
Denzel Washington and Viola Davis
Paramount Pictures
Denzel Washington and Stephen McKinley Henderson
Paramount Pictures
Denzel Washington
Julieta Cervantes
Denzel Washington
Julieta Cervantes
Denzel Washington and the company
Michael Potts, Denzel Washington, and the company
Julieta Cervantes
Denzel Washington and the company
Julieta Cervantes
Denzel Washington in The Tragedy of Macbeth
Alison Cohen Rosa
Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand in The Tragedy of Macbeth
Filmed in 2023, the one-night-only event featured Brian Stokes Mitchell, Audra McDonald, Peter Friedman, and more from the Ahrens and Flaherty musical's original cast.
