Denzel Washington

On 19 May 2025 Washington had a tense exchange with a photographer on the red carpet for Highest 2 Lowest at Cannes. Footage showed the photographer grabbing his arm, then doing so again after Washington reacted; Washington told him to stop.

State of the evidence

Video and reporting show the arm-grabbing and Washington’s response.

Legal status — source text

Public exchange; no known legal proceedings.

Attribution

Verbally rebuking a photographer who touched his arm.

A video showed Washington admonishing people seeking photographs or autographs as he arrived for a Museum of Modern Art event. He said they had not respected his request and demanded consideration. Reaction included support for his right to decline.

State of the evidence

Contemporaneous footage and reporting are available.

Legal status — source text

Verbal confrontation; no known proceedings.

Attribution

Speaking sharply to a crowd of photographers and fans.

Washington said a same-sex kiss filmed for Gladiator II had been removed from the final edit. Director Ridley Scott challenged that account, saying the scene had not occurred as described. Washington later characterised it as a brief gesture and played down the dispute.

State of the evidence

The actor’s and director’s differing public accounts were reported.

Legal status — source text

Public disagreement about filming; no known legal proceedings.

Attribution

A claim about a deleted scene that the director disputed.

The announcement that Washington would portray Hannibal in a planned Netflix film sparked debate in Tunisia. Commentators and a lawmaker argued the casting could misrepresent the Carthaginian general. Hannibal’s precise skin colour is not established by historical sources.

State of the evidence

Casting reports and debate in Tunisia were documented.

Legal status — source text

Cultural dispute; no known proceedings against Washington.

Attribution

His announced casting in a role whose historical suitability was contested.

In September 2021 Ellen Pompeo described a heated argument during a Grey’s Anatomy episode directed by Washington in 2016. She said they disagreed over an improvised line and actor direction. She also stressed her high regard for him and the quality of their work.

State of the evidence

Pompeo’s account and Washington’s response appeared in interviews.

Legal status — source text

Reported workplace disagreement; no known proceedings.

Attribution

A tense verbal exchange during a television production.

After Will Smith slapped Chris Rock during the Oscars, Washington was seen speaking to Smith during the ceremony. He later said he prayed with others and declined to disclose their private conversation. Smith, not Washington, committed the slap.

State of the evidence

Broadcast footage and Washington’s later comments were reported.

Legal status — source text

No proceedings against Washington; the incident concerned Will Smith.

Attribution

No violence attributed to Washington; he intervened as a witness and supporter.

Person targeted by the proceedings

Will Smith

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist is a witness