Denzel Washington | The Book of Eli

Born in Mount Vernon, New York, Denzel Washington attended Fordham University, where he graduated from studying drama and journalism in the late ’70s. He later won a full-ride scholarship to San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theater, though he returned to NYC after a year to pursue a career as a professional actor. He appeared in a number of stage shows, however, his first on-screen appearance came in 1977 in the TV movie Wilma. Several screen roles soon followed, but the actor got his big break in 1982 in the medical drama St. Elsewhere, portraying Dr. Phillip Chandler.

Washington quickly rose to prominence after showing off his exceptional acting talent in movies such as the lawyer drama Philadelphia. He was soon collecting major paychecks for all his movie performances. In 2010, he took home a $20 million salary for The Book of Eli.