African Celebrities: film producer.

Tuesday, 7 January 2014

Denzel Washington

Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. is an American actor, film director, and film producer. He was born on December 28, 1954 in Mount Vernon, near New York City. His mother, Lennis "Lyme" was a beauty parlor owner and operator born in Georgia and partly raised in Harlem. His father, Reverend Denzel Hayes Washington, Sr., a native of Buckingham County, Virginia, served as an ordained Pentecostal minister and also worked for the Water Department and at a local department store, s. Klein.

Denzel Washington attended Texas College, and earned a BA in Drama and Journalism from Fordham University in 1977.

Denzel Washington married Pauletta Pearson on June 25, 1983. The couple have four children: John David who was born on July 28, 1984; Katia who was born on November 27, 1986 and twins, Olivia and Malcolm who was born on April 10, 1991. In 1995, the couple renewed their wedding vows in South Africa with Archbishop Desmond Tutu officiating.

Denzel Washington is a devout Christian, and has considered becoming a preacher.

Denzel Washington has received two Golden Globe Awards and a Tony Award, and two Academy Awards: Best supporting Actor for Glory (1989) and Best Actor for Training Day (2001).

On May 18, 1991 Denzel Washington was awarded an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, Fordham University for having impressively succeeded in exploring the edge of his multifaceted talent. He also was awarded an honorary doctorate of humanity from Morehouse College on May 20, 2007. On May 16, 2011 he was awarded an honorary doctor of arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington and his wife Pauletta

Denzel Washington and his daughter Olivia

Denzel Washington and Halle Berry

Denzel Washington and the late Whitney Houston

Denzel Washington with actress Viola Davis

Denzel Washington with Will Smith

Monday, 6 January 2014

Chris Rock

Christopher Julius Rock III (Chris Rock) is an American comedian, actor, screenwriter, television producer, film producer, and director. He was born on February 7, 1965 in Andrews, South Carolina. His mother, Rosalie Tingman was a teacher and social worker for the mentally handicapped; his father, Julius Rock was a former truct driver and newspaper deliveryman. His father died in 1988 after ulcer surgery. Chris's younger brothers Tony, Kenny and Jordan are also in the entertainment business. His older half-brother, Charles, died in 2006 after a long struggle with alcoholism.

Chris Rock began doing stand-up comedy in 1984 in New York. City's catch a Rising star. Upon seeing his act at a night club, Eddie Murphy befriended and mentored the aspiring comic. He gave him his first role in Beverly Hills Cop II.

Chris Rock has been married to Malaak Compton-Rock since November 23, 1996 she is the founder and excutive director of StyleWorks, a non-profit full service salon that provides free services for women leaving welfare and entering the workforce. Chris Rock and his wife Malaak Compton-Rock have two daughters together, Lola Simone born in 2002 and Zahra Savannah born in 2004.