Actor Denzel Washington, 70, turned heads with a rare Cannes appearance.
Washington appeared on the red carpet in promotion of the 2025 Spike Lee film Highest 2 Lowest at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 19. For the event, held in Cannes, France, Washington wore a black suit and white sneakers. While standing on the red carpet, Washington waved to the crowd and posed with his Highest 2 Lowest co-stars, which include Ilfenesh Hadera and A$AP Rocky.
Deadline reported that Washington was given an honorary Palme d’Or during the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Washington was surprised by the honor while sitting in the audience at Le Palais, next to Lee. According to the publication, festival chief Thierry Frémaux let Washington know he was getting the honor in celebration of his career as an acclaimed actor.
“It’s a very special day. Denzel, because you are here, we want to make something special for you … it’s a kind of way for us to tell you our adoration, what you have done in cinema. Nobody knows about that except Spike Lee, who wrote me to do that,” said Frémaux to the audience.
Washington has been in the entertainment industry for over four decades. In a November 2024 interview with internet personality Zainab Jiwa, Washington shared his advice for those who want to have a successful acting career.
“Learn to act on stage, don’t rely on social media, put it down, turn it off. Shut up, be quiet, learn, read, relax, get better. First part of your life, you learn. Second part of your life, you earn. Third part of your life, you return,” said Washington during the interview.
Washington also shared how he gets into his roles.
“You start with a script, it’s as simple as that. You start digging in. It starts to give you hints. Or clues. And you peel the onion. And you get in there, get in there,” said Washington.
The actor also shared that getting into wardrobe helps him better understand his characters.
