Getty Image/Warner Bros.
A video of beloved actor Denzel Washington confronting a paparazzi photographer in New York City has been going viral.
The video, taken on Wednesday, October 23, sees the iconic two-time Academy Award-winning actor arriving at The Museum of Modern Art Film Benefit when he suddenly changes course to confront a group of photographers.
While it’s unclear exactly what started the exchange, the 69-year-old Washington — who will next be seen starring in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II next month — certainly ended it.
#DenzelWashington was fired up, going full “#TrainingDay” as he let loose on a group of paparazzi … and possibly some autograph seekers … who clearly pushed the wrong buttons.
📷: Valeria_V / Published Draft pic.twitter.com/dJCWYnUdpF
— TMZ (@TMZ) October 24, 2024
“The Equalizer movies convinced me Denzel can do that s— in real life. I wouldn’t mess with him,” one movie fan accurately tweeted.
Denzel is absolutely one of those people who become simply terrifying when they lock in — the transition from the famed Denzel grin to deathly-serious Alonzo from Training Day mode must be a harrowing experience for anyone who watches it unfold.
Bit of a personal anecdote about Denzel — I actually once ran into him out in the wild. Not in the streets of New York, however, but in Positano, Italy. I was on a Euro trip with a few of my buddies during the summer of 2018 and we hit the Almalfi Coast to wind down after crushing it in Greece.
One night while walking along the water, we pass Chez Black, one of Positano’s most notable restaurants, and notice a large Black man with a navy blue Yankees fitted sitting outside — obviously something that stands out on the coast of Italy.
As we turn, we realize it’s none other than Denzel Washington. Given that he was in the middle of dinner, however, we didn’t dare approach him, lest we find ourselves getting Alonzo’d like the above photographer. He noticed us noticing him, however, and simply tipped his Yankees cap at us while flashing a classic Denzel grin. It was awesome.