Before the first award has even been handed out at the 2025 Golden Globes, Denzel Washington has already cemented his place in history. The 70-year-old Hollywood legend earned his 11th nomination, making him the most-nominated Black actor in the 81-year history of the awards. This milestone breaks the previous record held by Sidney Poitier, underscoring Washington’s enduring impact on the film industry.
This year, Washington is up for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his role as Macrinus in Gladiator II. His character, a sharp Black businessman commanding an army of gladiators, drives the story forward when he unknowingly purchases Lucius (played by Paul Mescal), the secret grandson of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
The Best Supporting Actor category is fiercely competitive, with Washington facing Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown), Guy Pearce (The Brutalist), Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice), Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain), and Yura Borisov (Anora).
If he secures the win, this would be Washington’s third Golden Globe trophy, adding to his accolades for Glory (1990) and The Hurricane (2000). Beyond his competitive wins, Washington was honored in 2016 with the Cecil B. DeMille Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to entertainment.
Gladiator II, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2000 classic, has been a box office hit since its November release, raking in nearly $450 million globally. The film is currently streaming on platforms like Prime Video, YouTube, and Apple TV+.
As Washington continues to push boundaries and redefine excellence, his record-breaking nomination is yet another testament to his unparalleled talent and dedication to his craft. Here’s to a trailblazer who remains a force in Hollywood.
