“Denzel demonstrates that he is at the peak of his talent,” the filmmaker said at the time. “He became Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter. By the end of the film, I didn’t know who I was talking to.” Deservedly, he made the shortlist for ‘Best Actor’ at the following year’s Academy Awards, which is where things became personal.

The actor shared this advice with college graduates in 2015, in a speech about faith, failure and success that went viral and is still quoted today.

Unhinged Denzel Washington beating up bad guys? Yes, please.

Denzel Washington turned down Se7en before Brad Pitt took the role. His own interviews explain why he passed and why he later regretted it.