Denzel Washington, the legendary Hollywood actor, recently opened up about his personal battle with alcohol in a heartfelt conversation with Esquire.
The two-time Oscar winner shared how a seemingly harmless habit of drinking wine evolved into a significant part of his life for over 15 years. Reflecting on his experience, Washington explained, “Wine is very tricky. It’s not sudden—it creeps up on you.” He recalled building a wine cellar in his home in 1999, which became a haven for indulgence.
“I learned to drink the best,” he admitted. “I was opening $4,000 bottles just because that’s what was left. I’d even call up Gil Turner’s Fine Wines & Spirits on Sunset Boulevard to send me their best bottles.”
Looking back on his younger years, Washington also acknowledged experimenting with drugs but clarified that he never became addicted to substances like heroin or cocaine.
He added, “Drinking, though, was a pattern—a fifteen-year one. And truthfully, it started before 1999. It just became more pronounced then.”
Everything changed a decade ago as Washington approached his 60th birthday. He made a life-altering decision to quit alcohol entirely, marking a new chapter of clarity and purpose.
“I’ve done a lot of damage to my body,” he admitted. “But I’ve been clean for ten years this December. I stopped drinking at 60 and haven’t touched a drop since. Now, things are opening up for me—like being 70. This is my last chapter. If I have another 30 years, how do I want to spend them? My mother lived to 97.”
With his trademark honesty and resilience, Washington’s reflections offer a powerful message of transformation and the courage to start anew at any stage of life.
