Denzel Washington's 4 Children: All About John David, Katia, Malcolm and Olivia

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal/Getty

The entertainment industry has become a family business forDenzel Washington, his wifePauletta Washingtonand their four kids.

Denzel and Paulettamarried in 1983and are the proud parents of four children: John David, 40, Katia, 38, and twins Malcolm and Olivia, 33.

All of theTraining Daystar’s children have followed in his footsteps and pursued careers in entertainment in some form. However, despite all of Denzel’s accomplishments in Hollywood, he has said that his children are what he’s most proud of.

“When I think ofwhat I’m proudest of, anything I’ve accomplished doesn’t even come to mind,” he toldEsquirein November 2024. “It’s our children: They’re good people. They know right from wrong. What else can you ask for, you know? That alone: All four of them, healthy and in their right mind. Enough said.”

Through the years, Denzel has instilled his own wisdom into his kids, including teaching them about challenges they may face in their lives.

“I try to teach my children there are going to be obstacles,” he said during a 2008 appearance on theEarly Show. “Someone may not like you just because they don’t like themselves. But, don’t you get bogged down.”

He has also credited his wife, Pauletta, for how his four children were raised.

“My children are good people,“Denzel toldThe Guardianin 2010. “They are not perfect but they are generous and humble and kind. My wife did that.”

Here’s everything to know about Denzel Washington’s children.

John David Washington, 40

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Denzel and Pauletta’s eldest son,John David Washington, was born on July 28, 1984, in Los Angeles. He attended Campbell Hall School in L.A., where he was on the basketball, football and track teams. After he graduated from high school in 2002, he attended Atlanta’s Morehouse College, where he played football as a running back and graduated in 2006.

After college, John David had a brief career as a professional football player. He signed with the St. Louis Rams during the 2006-2007 season before playing for Germany’s Rhein Fire during the 2007 offseason.

In 2009, he was drafted to the United Football League’s California Redwoods, where he played until 2012 when the league shut down.

Denzel once used lines fromSpike Lee’s 1992 dramaMalcolm Xtoinspire his son’s youth football team, but he was glad that John David’s professionalfootball career was cut shortand that he pivoted to acting. “He’s had I don’t know how many concussions, a broken collar bone, a torn-up knee and Achilles [tendon],” he told PEOPLE in 2018. “No, I’m glad it’s over.”

John David’s acting career initially started as a child, when he played a student inMalcolm Xwhile his dad played the title character. During a January 2021 interview withWSJ. Magazine, he said that he had “always"wanted to be an actorlike his dad, but he turned to a more private life at first.

“I jumped in and hid in this football persona, this athlete, literally putting on a helmet to hide my face, hide my identity,” he said.

As an actor, John David has appeared in a wide variety of projects, includingBallers, Tenet, Malcolm & MarieandAmsterdam.He made his Broadway debut in the 2022 revival ofThe Piano LessonalongsideSamuel L. JacksonandDanielle Brooks. He earned aGolden Globe Awardnomination for his role in 2018’sBlacKkKlansman.

Speaking toThe Hollywood Reporter, the actor said that he was sitting next to his dad when he learnedhe was nominatedfor best actor in a drama.

“I was watching it with my old man,” John David said. “When they called the name it was like super slow motion. I heard the ‘Johhh’ and then he grabbed me and we hugged for what felt like 10 minutes. We just held on to each other. And then my mom was on speakerphone. … She was crying and saying she loved me and was proud of me. It was a straight tear session.”

John David has been open about his parents' influence on his life and career. At a September 2022 press conference,he sharedone lesson he learnedfrom his father: “The freedom to fail, to find out, flourish in that failure. In that being uncomfortable, you’ll find the greatest parts of yourself as an artist.”

He had previously told PEOPLE that his mom, Pauletta, was “the most consistent person” in his life and cited her as his inspiration; he added that his dad was “his favorite actor.”

Katia Washington, 38

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Denzel and Pauletta’s second child, daughter Katia Washington, was born on Nov. 27, 1986, in L.A. Katia studied at Yale University, where she graduated in 2010. Though Katia keeps her personal life private, she has followed the career path of many other members of the Washington family and works behind the scenes as a producer for Bron Studios.

In her career, she has worked as a producer onFences,Malcolm & Marie,BreakingandSharp Stick.

Malcolm Washington, 33

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Malcolm Washington and his twin sister, Olivia, were born on April 10, 1991, in L.A. He attended the Windward School, where he lettered four years in basketball. He also received several accolades as a high school athlete, including first-team all-league, Academic All-American and 2009 Windward Winter Classic Tournament MVP, all while remaining on the honor roll.

After high school, he attended theUniversity of Pennsylvania, where he studied film and played for the university’s basketball team during the 2009-2010 season. One of his former teammates, Zack Rosen, called Malcolm “pesky” to theDaily Pennsylvanianin November 2009. “He brings energy,” Rosen added. “And I think he knows that that’s his role — the energy guy, bringing a lot of spunk.”

Malcolm followed in the footsteps of his father, whoplayed basketballat Fordham University. Malcolm told theDaily Pennsylvanianthat his dad still played ball with him, adding, “He’s slowed down a little bit with his age but he thinks he’s still good, so I guess that’s what counts.”

He has since worked as a director and producer. He worked as an assistant director on the short filmsThe Last BookstoreandTrouble Man. As a producer, he was involved withSummer of 17,The DisputeandNorth Hollywood.He was also Spike Lee’s assistant on the 2017 series adaptation ofShe’s Gotta Have It.

When Malcolm’s directorial debut,The Piano Lesson, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024, Denzel, who was a producer on the film, was there to support him.

“I’m happy that people will get a chance to seewhat a filmmaker Malcolm is,” he told PEOPLE on the red carpet.

Malcolm’s sister, Katia, also produced, while brother John David appears in the movie as Boy Willie.

Olivia Washington, 33

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Like her twin brother Malcolm,Olivia Washingtonwas born in L.A. on April 10, 1991. After high school, Olivia studied at New York University’sTisch School of the Artsand graduated in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in drama.

Much like her siblings and her parents, Olivia has pursued a career in the entertainment industry as an actress. In May 2015, she toldNew York Amsterdam Newsthat she “grew up with an artistic spirit” and was often dancing or playing the piano. But it wasn’t until she was a junior in high school that she began working with family friendLaTanya Richardson-Jacksonand realized she wanted to focus on acting.

“I wouldn’t say I grew up in the industry, my parents were in it, but I went to school, I had after-school activities, I had a very normal childhood,” she said. “It’s interesting because I think people assume that in my house we discuss ‘the industry’ like at the dinner table or something, but that wasn’t the case.”

As an actor, she has appeared in episodes ofEmpire, MadoffandMr. Robot.She’s also had roles in movies likeThe Little Things,A Holiday in HarlemandLee Daniels' The Butler.

Olivia also appeared inBreaking(formerly known as892), for which shewon a Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Award for best ensemble cast alongsideJohn Boyega,Nicole BeharieandSelenis Leyva, among others. Olivia has the stamp of approval from her father, who spoke abouther acting skillsin a January 2021 appearance onGood Morning America.

“I’m a dad so I’m gonna keep saying it: Olivia Washington is a great young actress. Very, very, very good young actress, so she’s coming for her brother [John David],” Denzel said. “It’s a team sport in our house.”

source: people.com