Everyone knows that making Hollywood fall in love with you is not a task for the weak, but somehow Denzel Washington (a man who is casually universally agreed upon to be one of the greatest actors of all time, NBD) makes it look easy. How has the two-time Oscar-winning actor managed to age so gracefully in the spotlight for the past handful of decades? It’s called being unproblematic, loyal, and keeping your business out of the streets (some of y’all should try it). Now, with the Gladiators 2 press tour underway, an entirely new generation is being introduced to the icon that is a father to many and a daddy to even more (sorry, okay, I had to say it). Before the Roman action film slays the box office in battle, here are all the best Denzel Washington interview moments to remember why he is the king of the silver screen.

Memorable Denzel Washington Press Tour Moments

“I’m leaving with something.”

In an intimate conversation with Jamie Foxx for OFF SCRIPT, Denzel discussed his Oscar loss to Sean Connery in 1988. Washington was nominated for Actor In A Supporting Role for his performance in Cry Freedom but Connery took the award home for The Untouchables. When standing in the wings, Denzel spotted the food spread for the Governor’s Ball and decided (as we all would TBH) that he deserved a little treat. When he told Jamie Foxx, “I’m from around the way. I’m leaving with something” an unforgettable meme was born.

Denzel’s Priceless Advice To Ethan Hawke About Losing

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Denzel won his second Oscar in 2001 for Training Day but his co-star Ethan Hawke sadly didn’t grab the honor for Supporting Actor. When Ethan lost, Denzel whispered some priceless advice in his ear: “It’s better that you didn’t win. Losing was better” because “You don’t want an award to improve your status. You want to improve the award’s status.” That’s chess-not-checkers thinking right there.

Denzel encouraged a child interviewer not to be a gangster

In defense of the tiny red carpet reporter, Denzel’s nefarious character Frank Lucas lives the high life for about 90% of American Gangster. When little Liam asked Denzel how he could become a gangster one day too, Denzel found out the kid’s favorite subject (math) and told him it was better to use that to become a doctor or scientist instead. That’s a true father of the people, people.

Denzel Washington feels like a “proud father” of Paul Mescal

After working together on the Gladiator sequel, Denzel said watching Paul Mescal “do his thing” has become a bit of a “proud father” moment for him. He went on to call Mescal a “wonderful actor” and a “wonderful human being.” I’m sure the feeling is mutual.

People’s Sexiest Man Alive 1996: Denzel Washington

After being crowned the sexiest man of 1996 because of his “wit, style, and intelligence” Denzel managed to stay humble. He confirmed to the mag he doesn’t “stop in the mirror and go, ‘Hey, Sexy Man.'” But who could blame him if he did?

Denzel keeps the paparazzi in line

The papz got a little more than aggressive trying to get Denzel’s attention when greeting fans outside of an event. Instead of taking their rage bait, Denzel gave them a calm, cool, and collected warning that he was trying to be nice but if they didn’t want to wait “we could do it another way.” That’s black parent 101 for you’re going to want to stop acting up now, which is exactly what they did.

Denzel Washington remembers his lines from when he was 22 years old

On a viral appearance a The Graham Norton Show, Eddie Redmayne applauded his mentor for his top-notch memory which included remembering Othello monologues from nearly 50 years ago. When Graham asked Denzel to prove it he started spitting Shakespearean bars ahead of his Broadway return.

Why didn’t Denzel Washington kiss Julia Roberts in The Pelican Brief?

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The lack of a steamy kiss at the end of the romantically charged drama left fans so confused that Julia and Denzel had to address the tea in a 2002 Newsweek interview. Julia Roberts explained of course she wanted to kiss Denzel since she “had a pulse” but Washington had other concerns. At the time, the actor wanted to avoid romance films, since Hollywood wasn’t interested in celebrating black love. Since Denzel believed that “Black women are not often seen as objects of desire on film” and “They have always been [his] core audience,” he didn’t want to slight them by having what would surely become his biggest on-screen kiss with Roberts, with whom the star is still close pals. Denzel also had to fight to keep the role, which was originally envisioned by the creative team to star a white leading actor.

Denzel Washington finally met Damson Idris

Denzel had another red carpet meme-worthy moment when a reporter asked him what he thought of Snowfall actor Damson Idris (who was a certified Denzel superfan who had been described as a young Denzel). Washington frankly explained he was sorry to that man, but he didn’t know who he was, which sent Twitter into shambles. Don’t feel too bad for Damson though. After the unintentional shade, Damson eventually got to shake the Oscar winner’s hand and express his gratitude for Denzel paving the way at a basketball game.

Denzel deescalated Will Smith after “The Slap”

Will Smith’s hard-earned Oscar win obviously didn’t go quite as planned when he walked on stage to get physical with Chris Rock after some poorly thought-out jokes. Denzel Washington, who intimately knows the pressures of fame and all of the players in the game, reminded Smith “In your highest moments, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you.” Helping out your friend when the going gets tough (on national television) is yet another reason Denzel is a class act.

Denzel Washington dedicated his Lifetime Achievement Award to his wife Pauletta

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Every time the internet jokes “love is dead” I remember Denzel and Pauletta are still going strong. The couple has been happily married for over 40 years, which in the entertainment business is virtually unheard of. Denzel often speaks highly of his wife as his biggest supporter, but he made sure his love for Pauletta made the history books when he won the AFI Lifetime Achievement award in 2019. In his speech, Denzel thanked his wife for teaching him “about faith, spirituality, love, real love, unwavering love.” He went on to gush “I would not be alive without Pauletta Washington.”