Denzel Washington Says He Hired a Trainer After 'Looking Fat' in Photos: 'Those Days Are Over'

Mar. 15, 2025

Denzel Washington at the Academy Awards in 2022 (left), and in 2024.Photo:Mike Coppola/Getty; Samir Hussein/WireImage

Mike Coppola/Getty; Samir Hussein/WireImage

FormerSexiest Man AliveDenzel Washingtonsays he made a decision to get fit after being unhappy with the way he looked at the Academy Awards two years ago.“I was looking at pictures of myself and[wife of more than 40 years,] Paulettaat the Academy Awards forMacbeth, and I’m just looking fat, with this dyed hair,” theGladiator IIstar says in the Winter issue ofEsquire,where he graces the cover — with his natural gray hair.The ceremony was a ground-breaking night for Washington, who extended his reign as themost-nominated Black actor, but as theEqualizerstar told the publication, “I said, ‘Those days are over, man,’ “ after seeing how he looked at the event.Denzel Washington with wife Pauletta Washington at the 2022 Academy Awards.P. Lehman/Future Publishing via GettySo Washington — who turns 70 next month — decided to make a change with a little help from a pal.“My good friend, my little brother,Lenny Kravitz, said, ‘D, I wanna hook you up with a trainer.’ And he did, and he’s another man of God. I started with him February of last year,” Washington shared of his fitness journey.“He makes the meals for me and we’re training, and I’m now 190-something pounds on my way to 185,” Washington shared.The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!Denzel Washington on the winter cover of ‘Esquire.'.Norman Jean RoyThe actor, who shows off his biceps playing the manipulative, power-hungry Roman emperor Macrinus inGladiator II,said these days, “I feel like I’m getting strong.”“Strong is important,” he toldEsquire. “I’m doing the best I can.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

FormerSexiest Man AliveDenzel Washingtonsays he made a decision to get fit after being unhappy with the way he looked at the Academy Awards two years ago.

“I was looking at pictures of myself and[wife of more than 40 years,] Paulettaat the Academy Awards forMacbeth, and I’m just looking fat, with this dyed hair,” theGladiator IIstar says in the Winter issue ofEsquire,where he graces the cover — with his natural gray hair.

The ceremony was a ground-breaking night for Washington, who extended his reign as themost-nominated Black actor, but as theEqualizerstar told the publication, “I said, ‘Those days are over, man,’ “ after seeing how he looked at the event.

Denzel Washington with wife Pauletta Washington at the 2022 Academy Awards.P. Lehman/Future Publishing via Getty

P. Lehman/Future Publishing via Getty

So Washington — who turns 70 next month — decided to make a change with a little help from a pal.

“My good friend, my little brother,Lenny Kravitz, said, ‘D, I wanna hook you up with a trainer.’ And he did, and he’s another man of God. I started with him February of last year,” Washington shared of his fitness journey.

“He makes the meals for me and we’re training, and I’m now 190-something pounds on my way to 185,” Washington shared.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Denzel Washington on the winter cover of ‘Esquire.'.Norman Jean Roy

Norman Jean Roy

The actor, who shows off his biceps playing the manipulative, power-hungry Roman emperor Macrinus inGladiator II,said these days, “I feel like I’m getting strong.”

“Strong is important,” he toldEsquire. “I’m doing the best I can.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

source: people.com