Denzel Washingtonis among the greatest actors working today, whose vast filmography boasts several enjoyable comedy roles. While comedies aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to Washington, as he’s made a name for himself through intense dramas andplaying strong action heroes, this Academy Award winner’s comedic skills shouldn’t be underestimated, as he’s proved he’s more than capable of providing a few laughs. While there were admittedly some clunkers among Washington’s funny films, they also include plenty of his most unique and interesting performances.
While it’s true that several ofWashington’s lowest-grossing movieswere comedies, this genre also includes an acclaimedcollaboration with Spike Leeand even an outstanding Shakespeare adaptation with director Kenneth Branagh. Washington’s never been afraid to step outside of his comfort zone for the right role, and lots of these films highlight his willingness to take a chance on something different.There’s no denying that Washington’s comedy career was a mixed bag, but the movies that hit were absolutely incredible.
While Denzel Washington has earned a reputation as a major box office draw, his filmography also features several comedies that totally flopped. Although with later roles likeMalcolm X,Washington would explore topics of race relations with depth and nuance,Heart Conditionwas a misguided and uncomfortable exploration of ethnic differencesthat bordered on the cusp of being offensive. With Bob Hoskins as a racist cop who, after receiving a life-saving heart transplant, is haunted by the ghost of an African American lawyer, it’s not hard to imagine the ways that low-brow humor overwhelmed this ill-advised comedy.
Heart Conditionwas released in an era before Washington had built up the reputation to pick and choose his film roles with the same leverage he later gained. Luckily, the future star was cast in his first role with Spike Lee in the following year, which helped give Washington the reputation and clout to move away from broad and objectionable comedies like this. With an abysmal 10% score on Rotten Tomatoes,Heart Conditiontruly was one of Washington’s biggest failures.
Denzel Washington made his feature film debut inCarbon Copy, a movie that offered no clues toward the actor’s bright future as a two-time Academy Award winner. Instead, this outrageous comedy saw Washington play a 17-year-old African American who turns his wealthy, white business executive father’s life upside down when he shows up as his long-lost son. WhileCarbon Copyattempted to use a comedic premise to unpack society’s relationship with race during the 1980s, looking back, this movie has aged very poorly.
Carbon Copywasn’t a total disaster, and it had some funny moments at times, although even back in 1981, viewers did not connect with it, and it was a total flop at the box office. It’s clear that the team behindCarbon Copy’shearts were in the right place, but the insensitive way this film explored race means it has not stood the test of time and stands as a lackluster beginning to Washington’s extraordinary career.
While Denzel Washington isn’t the first actor that would come to mind when thinking about family-friendly Christmas fantasies,The Preacher’s Wife wasa rare, wholesome comedy from the star. As the story of a pastor named Reverend Henry Biggs, Washington portrayed the angel Dudley, who arrives to help Biggs solve his marital troubles. With Whitney Houston as the wife, Julia, Dudley’s charming demeanor and fun-loving attitude helped Biggs reignite the spark of his relationship.
While Dudley was sent from up above to solve a man’s marriage,The Preacher’s Wifeintroduced an interesting conflict as the angel started falling for Julia himself. With plenty of laughs balanced with some light drama,The Preacher’s Wifewas an enjoyable, albeit forgettable, update on the 1947 rom-comThe Bishop’s Wife. With an acclaimed best-selling soundtrack from Houston herself, there was a lot to love aboutThe Preacher’s Wife.
Taking its title from the Bob Dylan song of the same name,The Mighty Quinnstarred Denzel Washington as the Chief of Police Xavier Quinn, who maintains law and order on a small Caribbean island. With Quinn’s childhood friend becoming a murder suspect,The Mighty Quinnsaw him try to help his pal out of trouble in an enjoyable narrative that blended espionage, comedy, and music.
With a case involving a rare $10,000 bill and a mysterious murder,The Mighty Quinnmanaged to be a spy thriller, buddy comedy, and music movie all at once. Washington went outside of his comfort zone for his role to portray Quinn with a Jamaican accent and even attempted some singing. WhileThe Mighty Quinnfailed at the box office, it was an early indication of Washington’s future as a major movie star, as he oozed onscreen charisma and gave a terrific, underappreciated comedic performance.
Two major stars came together for the buddy cop action-comedy2 Guns. Starring Denzel Washington as an undercover DEA agent and Mark Wahlberg as an undercover US Navy SEAL, neither was initially aware of the other’s secret profession. While lots of action movies featuring two mismatched legends teaming up tend to miss the mark,2 Gunswas elevated by the incredible charisma and chemistry between its two leads.
With Washington and Wahlberg playing off one another, it was enjoyable to see both of them cracking wise in this no-frills action movie.2 Gunsdidn’t break any new ground when it came to the action-comedy genre, but it still worked well and saw Washington maintain the action star bravado that madeThe Equalizerfranchise such a success. With an enjoyable blend of action and humor,2 Gunswas well worth checking out.
WhileDenzel Washington and Spike Lee’s first movie togetherwasn’t a box office hit, it did signal the beginning of one of the most acclaimed creative collaborations in cinematic history.Mo’ Better Bluestells the fascinating story of the fictional jazz trumpeter Bleek Gilliam and the ways a series of bad decisions jeopardize not just his relationships with others, but also his music. With Washington giving a fiercely committed lead performance, this underseen film was a powerful exploration of artistry, friendship, and salvation.
WhileMo’ Better Blueslacked the political urgency of Washington and Lee’s greatest works together, it was still a fascinating love letter to jazz music that addressed the cultural impact of Black musicians. With Lee as writer and director, the filmmaker also starred opposite Washington as Bleek’s manager, Giant. For those with a love of cinema, creativity, and jazz,Mo’ Better Blueswas a must-watch movie and a great start to one of the best actor-director duo pairings of modern times.
Denzel Washington is no stranger to theatrical adaptations, as evident from his directorial work on August Wilson’sFencesor his leading role in Joel Coen’sThe Tragedy of Macbeth. However, Washington’s Shakespearean credentials date back even further as he excelled in his role as Don Pedro in Kenneth Branagh’s rom-com adaptation ofMuch Ado About Nothing. Considering Branagh’s previous adaptation ofHenry Vand his astounding later version ofHamlet, it’s no surprise that this classic tale of romance and heartache was packed with A-list talent.
Denzel Washingtonexcelled in his role as the Prince of Aragon, an important matchmaker among the group of marriageable young socialites. Featuring the likes of Branagh, Emma Thompson, Keanu Reeves, and Michael Keaton among its cast,Much Ado About Nothingboasted one of the best ensembles of any Hollywood Shakespeare adaptation. By embracing the silliness of this classic tale, the dialogue inMuch Ado About Nothingwas as hilarious as it was poetic.
