In 2002, Denzel Washington received the Oscar for his performance in "Training Day." The award marked him as the second African-American to win for "Best Actor" alongside Sidney Poitier. Washington has received other accolades in his career, including a 2013 nomination for "Flight". In interviews, the actor has pointed out that while winning an Oscar is an honor, it shouldn't define an actor's career or worth. He has emphasized the importance of the work itself and the stories being told rather than the accolades received.

The actor had lost the Academy Award for "Best Actor" to Kevin Spacey in 2000, after his nomination for his role in "The Hurricane," publicly reflecting on the loss and how it affected his outlook on awards and personal growth. He's also expressed mixed feelings about the Academy's lack of representation.