Denzel Washington made a shock confession about his career as he candidly revealed that he doesn’t see himself as a ‘Hollywood’ star.

‘What’s the definition of a Hollywood actor? Myself, I’m from Mt. Vernon, so I’m a “Mt. Vernon actor,”‘ the entertainment industry vet — who was recently applauded by the internet — remarked, referring to his New York state hometown. 

Appearing on CBS’ Sunday Morning, the 70-year-old John Q. sensation added, ‘I don’t know what “Hollywood” means.’

Denzel, who currently stars in the new Broadway production of Shakespeare’s Othello alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, said that he considers himself a stage actor primarily.

He explained, ‘I’m a stage actor who does film; it’s not the other way around. I did stage first. I learned how to act on stage, not on film. Movies are a filmmaker’s medium. 

‘You shoot it, and then you’re gone, and they cut together and add music and do all of that. Theater is an actor’s medium. The curtain goes up, nobody can help you.’

Denzel Washington doesn’t see himself as a ‘Hollywood’ star

‘What’s the definition of a Hollywood actor? Myself, I’m from Mt. Vernon, so I’m a “Mt. Vernon actor,”‘ the entertainment industry vet remarked, referring to his New York state hometown; pictured in 2002

The new Othello play opened on Sunday, March 23 and stars Washington in the тιтular role.

James Earl Jones was the last actor to play the role when he starred in the 1982 revival. 

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He told CBS, ‘James Earl Jones was my northern star when I was in college. He was who I wanted to be. I didn’t get to see his Othello, but I know it wasn’t as good as my 22-year-old interpretation. But you know, it’s my turn.’ 

The two-time Oscar winner added, ‘I know a lot less now. I thought I knew everything then. I didn’t really like the part, ’cause I wasn’t wise enough to understand it.’

He reflected, ‘Now I understand it’s really about a bond, you know, that these characters have. He loves not wisely, but too well.’

And he gushed, ‘I haven’t been this excited about anything I’ve done as I am about this.’ 

Othello will play at Barrymore Theatre through Sunday, June 8. 

In February Denzel revealed he recently almost bit his tongue off and it’s been affecting his work. 

Denzel currently stars in the new Broadway production of Shakespeare’s Othello alongside Jake Gyllenhaal

The new Othello play opened on Sunday, March 23 and stars Washington in the тιтular role

In conversation with the New York Times, he said his tongue was swollen, making some of his lines hard to enunciate.

‘I have a line: “Whither will you that I go to answer this your charge?” It’s hard because my tongue is swollen. It has affected everything,’ the star shared.

Nearly biting off his tongue also served as a moment for the Gladiator II star to reflect on his relationship with God.

‘That’s why you pray every day,’ he explained. ‘I’m like, “OK, Lord, I’m here, I think this is what you wanted me to do.”

‘Now I’m not sure why [I bit my tongue], but one can say coincidence and serendipity and all those things.’