5 Things to Know about John David Washington, Zendaya's 'Malcolm & Marie' Co-Star
If you're one of the several million people that plan to watch Zendaya's new Netflix drama Malcolm & Marie, prepare to meet—if you don't know him already—her co-star John David Washington. With one Golden Globe nomination already under his belt, the actor is setting the course for a long and prosperous career, much like his famous father (more on that below). Last summer, he starred alongside Robert Pattinson in Christopher Nolan's theater-exclusive film Tenet, but now audiences have the opportunity to see his acting talents firsthand from their comfort of their own couch. To learn more about Washington and what the rising star has coming next, L'OFFICIEL has the five things you need to know about the talented actor.
His dad is Denzel Wasington.
In case the last name didn't give it away, the 36-year old is the son of legendary actor Denzel Washington and his wife Pauletta Pearson. He is the oldest of four children, including actress Olivia Washington. When speaking to Access Hollywood recently about the New York Times naming his father the "Greatest Actor of the 21st Century (So Far)," the Malcolm & Marie actor said, "I think he is one of the greatest to ever do it, so it was a very proud moment for our entire family."
We went to Morehouse College.
After an active athletic career in high school, Washington moved from Los Angeles to Atlanta, Georgia to attend Morehouse College, where he graduated from in 2006. While a student, he was the football team's star running back and set new school records for most rushing yards in a single game and overall career.
He played in the NFL.
After a successful college career, Washington went undrafted in 2006 NFL Draft, before being picked up by the St. Louis Rams. He was later released and then re-signed to their practice team. He played in the NFL's European league during an a single offseason. After a few seasons in the United Football League, Washington's athletic career ended when the UFL ultimately shut down operations in 2012.
He's been acting since he was 7.
After football, Washington returned to acting in 2015, a career he had technically began at the age of seven when he appeared in the Spike Lee film Malcom X—which starred his father—as a student in a Harlem classroom. His acting credit as an adult was in the TV show Ballers. However, his breakout performance in Lee's 2018 movie BlacKkKlansman earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
The actor next starring role would be as The Protagonist in Tenet, a performance which received critical acclaim. Nolan spoke about directing Washington in the film, saying that he is, "just one of the greatest collaborators I've worked with: extraordinarily hard-working, very, very thoughtful, and very considerate of everybody around him in the most wonderful way."
Later this year, Washington will star in the Luca Guadagnino-produced Netflix project Beckett, alongside Alicia Vikander and Boyd Holbrook.
His upcoming film is star-studded.
Currently, Washington is filming an unnamed comedy film directed by David O. Russell, the same mind behind Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle. Washington joined the project in October 2020, replacing Michael B. Jordan. While little is known about the other than its focus on the unconventional team-up of a lawyer and a doctor, the cast includes Margot Robbie, Robert De Niro, Christian Bale, Rami Malek, Zoë Saldana, Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Rock, and many more. There's no doubt Washington will be in great company.
