Denzel Washington Says He Hopes To Be Remembered as a ‘Humble Man’ Who ‘Did the Best He Could’

Denzel Washington defined what he wants his legacy to be when he dies — and it doesn’t involve being a legendary actor.

Washington sat down for a conversation with Spike Lee about their new film, Highest 2 Lowest, and the actor had an interesting response when the director asked him about his legacy.

“When we all leave this Earth — and we all will — what do you want to be remembered for?” asked Lee.

Washington mulled over his response before giving a raw and honest answer. “A man of faith, a man of God, a human who’s made a ton of mistakes,” he admitted. “A humble man, god-loving, wife-loving, children-loving, who did the best he could with what he had.”

COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what’s next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.

“And I don’t know if it was a quote from Malcolm X. ‘To God be the glory, only the mistakes were mine,’” Washington added.

Washington has been very honest lately. Earlier this month, the actor surprised everyone by informing them that they’ve been mispronouncing his name for decades.

On Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Washington had a discussion with the host about the fact that there were four NFL players with the first name Denzel.

“There weren’t that many before your first Oscar,” said Jimmy Kimmel. “There were zero in 1987.”

“I know. There’s a lot of Denzels now,” the actor responded. “And this is how you know they named themselves after me: Because my name is not pronounced Den-zelle. My name is pronounced Den-zuhl.”

He then explained that the true pronunciation of his name rhymed with “Pencil,” but his mother changed it to avoid confusion at home.

“I’m Denzel Jr., and my father’s Denzel Hayes Washington Sr. I’m Denzel Hayes Washington Jr,” he said. “My mother would say, ‘Denzel,’ and we’d both show up. So she said, ‘From now on, you’re Den-zelle.'”