Denzel Washington Says He 'Shot Dope' But 'Never Got Strung Out'

With Gladiator II hitting theaters this week, Denzel Washington has been speaking more candidly than ever about his decades-long career, most recently to Ryan D’Agostino for Esquire.

In the interview, the two-time Oscar winner revealed that he’s been sober for nearly a decade. Next month, in fact, will officially make 10 years, notably the same month as Washington’s 70th birthday.

According to Washington, drinking ultimately became a “15-year pattern" in his life. He noted, however, that it had its roots in a much earlier period.

“I never got strung out on heroin,” he said. “Never got strung out on coke. Never got strung out on hard drugs. I shot dope just like they shot dope, but I never got strung out. And I never got strung out on liquor.”

Initially, Washington recalled, he stuck to tastings and similar environments, emphasizing that he was able to enjoy the finest wine available.

“I had this ideal idea of wine tastings and all that—which is what it was at first,” he told Esquire. “And that’s a very subtle thing. I mean, I drank the best. I drank the best. And 15 years into it: Send me two bottles, and make it good stuff, but just two. And I’d drink them both over the course of the day.”

In 2012, Washington played alcoholic pilot William "Whip" Whitaker in Robert Zemeckis’ Flight, ultimately earning a Best Actor nomination for the role. Washington joked to the Hollywood Reporter at the time that he had previously “semi-quit” drinking in his 30s. For the duration of the Flight shoot, Denzel, then in his 50s, did not drink.

He reiterated this in the Esquire piece, adding that he resumed drinking “as soon as I finished.” Fast forward to now, and Washington is aware of the “damage” he believes he’s done to his body.

“This is the last chapter—if I get another 30, what do I want to do?” he asked.

Much has been made of the acclaimed actor’s recent remarks about what he hopes to do next as an actor and filmmaker. Washington himself has clarified multiple times that he does not intend to retire as some have speculated.

Instead, as he told Jimmy Kimmel just this week, he’s hoping to get “behind the camera” following a still-stacked slate of acting opportunities he has on the horizon.

Gladiator II, Washington’s latest, is out this Friday. The film sees him putting on this dress, these rings, and going crazy.