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Denzel Washington has clearly been having a blast on the Gladiator II press tour as the beloved and iconic actor has produced multiple viral moments in recent months. The latest example comes courtesy of the 69-year-old two-time Academy Award winner admitting to “shooting dope.”
Denzel’s admission about his past dope habit is just one of many headlines he’s produced in recent weeks: last week at the London premiere of Gladiator II, for example, Washington apparently told one of the venue’s security guards, urging him to make his way inside because King Charles had arrived, that he “makes his own rules.”
Other hilarious moments from Washington’s recent press tour include the Training Day actor detailing how he got into character to play Macrinus — “I’m putting this dress on, these rings, and I’m going crazy,” — and that he kissed another male actor on the lips but the scene was cut from the film.
“I never got strung out on heroin,” Washington said in an interview with Esquire. “Never got strung out on coke. Never got strung out on hard drugs. I shot dope just like they shot dope, but I never got strung out. And I never got strung out on liquor.”
Washington revealed in the same interview that he’s been sober for 10 years now.
We’re witnessing a historic promotional run from Denzel pic.twitter.com/Ccex3mW3qc
— John Frankensteiner (@JFrankensteiner) November 21, 2024
He at that age where he letting it all hang out https://t.co/5yvja5J6dD
— madeupmonkeyshit (@_TrillScott) November 20, 2024
In addition to Denzel Washington — who has been getting shouts for a Best Supporting Actor nomination (surprise, surprise) — Gladiator II also stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, and more.
You can check out the official synopsis and trailer for Gladiator II, which releases in movie theaters on Friday, November 22, via Paramount Pictures, below.
“Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.”