Welcome to a collection of insightful and thought-provoking quotes by John David Washington, a prominent figure in the realm of cinema and entertainment. As an actor known for his compelling performances and dynamic presence on screen, Washington has captivated audiences with his versatility and depth. Son of esteemed actor Denzel Washington, John David has carved his own path in the industry, earning acclaim for his roles in various films and television series.
Throughout his career, John David Washington has not only demonstrated his talent as an actor but also shared wisdom and inspiration through his words. Whether reflecting on the craft of acting, the complexities of life, or the pursuit of success, his quotes resonate with authenticity and insight. As we delve into the quotes curated from his interviews, speeches, and public appearances, we invite you to explore his perspectives on various aspects of life, art, and ambition. Discover the essence of John David Washington’s philosophy and find inspiration to fuel your own journey.
I knew every one of my father’s lines in ‘Glory’ – I broke the VHS tape – but I hid my love of acting to make it as my own man. John David Washington
Football helped me with confidence that I needed. It gave me a sense of independence and earning my own money and my own keep. That’s what it served. It gave me the strength to be able to deal with rejection, politics, hard work, and being introduced to pain and embracing what’s uncomfortable. John David Washington
Being able to tell people’s stories – this is the most exciting job in the world to me. John David Washington
I went to private school, but I’ve got family from North Carolina. John David Washington
There’s a bit of me that always feels like, ‘What’s next? How can I get better?’ John David Washington
I got a scholarship, so I was getting my independence and not paying for school. And then here comes the NFL. ‘Now you got an opportunity to get drafted? Guess we’ll do that.’ I did, all right. John David Washington
I went to a historically black college. John David Washington
There are a lot of Washingtons that have played football. I could just blend in more and carve out my own name quietly. John David Washington
My mom had an encounter with the KKK when she was, I think, 7 years old in North Carolina. She snuck into a cross burning. I’m so lucky she didn’t get caught, because I wouldn’t be here. John David Washington
I’ve loved acting since I can remember. John David Washington
There’s men and women out there protecting and serving, doing it the right way, that aren’t talked about. John David Washington
I’ve failed a lot, you know, in football, and I’ve gone on a lot of auditions, been told no, been told I’m not right, so I know what failure feels like. It’s about the work. John David Washington
I had family in Carolina who were very hood and talked differently in this sort of Southern cadence. John David Washington
Oh, talking about private school, man, I had cornrows, and when I picked ’em out, certain people that didn’t look like me always wanted to touch ’em. One time, I just said, ‘Yo, hell no.’ John David Washington
I hope people will see how harmful words are and how irresponsible we can be when saying the wrong things at the wrong time to certain people. John David Washington
If I can inspire one person to actually administer change, to want to inspire change, I will follow that person. John David Washington
Like acting, undercover detective work requires a lot of performance. There’s just more pressure because it’s life-or-death situations. John David Washington
I would tell people my dad was all the characters he’s played in movies, because once you say he’s a lawyer or something, they move on. John David Washington
There’s some men and women out there that are doing their job the right way. They’re protecting and serving complete strangers in their communities the right way. And it’s a thankless job. Obviously, there’s a lot of information out on cops not doing their jobs correctly, but the ones that are should be celebrated. John David Washington
Whenever you’re feeling moments of discomfort, that means true change is happening for you. John David Washington
I’ve gotten rejected hundreds of times. John David Washington
I had a father who was active, present. There are people out there that never knew their fathers, didn’t have their father’s support. If I were to complain, that would be real sad. How dare I? John David Washington
I’ve met Caucasians who are racist, but I’ve also heard black people say racist things. John David Washington
In college, I had an alias: I was Johnny. John David Washington
Football is the ultimate team sport. You’re dependent on 10 other people on the field to have success on a particular play to get to the common goal, which is the win. On a set, we need everybody doing their job and pulling their weight. John David Washington
Every time I was off school, I was in Carolina with my cousins. So it was a big influence on me. I actually experienced straight-up racism out there, too. John David Washington
I wanna work with filmmakers that love, are enthusiastic about their process – about the process – about their process and the environment of inclusion and collaboration. I want the people to be able to trust me, and I wanna be able to trust them. John David Washington
I have to keep making films, getting better in my craft, and the way to do that is to work with people who know what they’re doing and who can help me. John David Washington
I’ve had the acting bug since I was, like, five. But growing up, I saw how people treated me differently when they knew who my father was, even the stuff I did on the field. Sometimes I’d rush for 100 yards, and the headline would be, ‘Denzel’s son runs for 100 yards.’ That’s where the suppression of that bug came from. John David Washington
I want to be around people that are just as enthusiastic about the process and storytelling as I am. John David Washington
I’m still trying to find the actor I want to be, but I know what kind of the talent I want to be around. John David Washington
I was ignorant before I did my research of a lot of African American police officers out there who are doing their job and doing it the right way. John David Washington
Who would I be if I complained about having a father that provided for me? Who would I be if I was complaining about having a father who loved me? That would make me a real jerk. John David Washington
On a Spike Lee set, everybody seems to want to be there and is motivated to work in unison and do the best they can. John David Washington
My father taught me how to hunt. John David Washington
Hate is a problem. John David Washington
Coming from a football background, when everybody is doing their job and operating on such a high level, it only motivates you to do the same. John David Washington
Football players are creative when they’re in the moment. John David Washington
A lot of NFL guys are misunderstood. John David Washington
It’s a thankless job for police officers, period, but specifically for men and women of color protecting and serving. John David Washington
My mother is very positive and encouraging and nurturing, as a mother should be. She’s my auditioning partner. She says when it’s not good enough; she says when I’m ready. John David Washington
Football was the best route to obtain my independence. John David Washington
I got introduced to Shakespeare at four years old, and I fell in love with the language. John David Washington
It’s a beautiful thing when you serve the team. John David Washington
I’m from the old school; hard work pays off. John David Washington
Hate has a language, so we have to find a language to combat that. John David Washington
So many people – DPs, writers, and the assistants that go on to be directors and writers – come from the School of Spike Lee. He’s almost set up an Institution of Spike Lee. John David Washington
As my father started ascending in the business, people around me started to treat me different. Our lives changed. So that anxiety, that sort of resentment, I just funneled it through football. John David Washington
They were very supportive parents in all my endeavors. They have very different approaches on how they give advice. John David Washington
I went to bar mitzvahs as a kid. I had a lot of classmates who are Jewish. John David Washington
Ask me trivia on ‘Sex and the City,’ and I will know it. I rewatch it every year. Samantha? Charlotte? Those are my girls. John David Washington
I can only control what I can, which is what I’m able to do as an artist. John David Washington
Spike Lee really gave us a platform, men and women of color. John David Washington
I’ve been reluctant in doing press stuff – even my Instagram isn’t properly managed; I manage it myself. It’s kind of by design. I knew that would be what people see first. John David Washington
This is a privilege, what we get to do. To be able to tell stories. It’s a luxury. So I have a business-like approach to it, the same way I had with football. John David Washington
Reinaldo Marcus Green – I’m so blessed an honored to have worked with him. John David Washington
The injury that ended my time in football turned out to be serendipitous. I tore my Achilles while training for a pending tryout with the New York Giants, and when it snapped, so did my career, basically. That’s what led me to gain the confidence to get into the acting world on my own terms. John David Washington
Movies are magical. It transcends a lot of hate or human faults in real life because of the fantasy of it all. John David Washington
In football, I learned about trust, handling failure, embracing discomfort, and rejection, which has helped with the auditions. John David Washington
I think, culturally, stories are important, whether it be cinema, whether it be by word of mouth – which I don’t even know if we do anymore, as it all seems to be social media. John David Washington
Of course I’ve felt racism. John David Washington
Spike Lee is a master of tone, so basically, if he wants to do something, he should do it, and Imma listen. John David Washington
The nature of a football team means you’re relying on 10 other guys. Even then, that doesn’t guarantee a win. John David Washington
Make America great – to me… it’s inclusion. Everybody in America, let’s do it together, no matter what color you are. You’re American. Let’s figure it out. John David Washington
Spike Lee’s been doing it for a long time now. We’re all standing on his shoulders. John David Washington
My mother taught me how to love. John David Washington
I got a lot of whoopings back in the day. I was a very curious kid. John David Washington
I’ll never forget watching my dad perform in a Shakespeare in the Park production of ‘Richard III’ in New York. John David Washington
I’m connected to a Wesley Snipes, and I’m connected to Giancarlo Esposito because of the history of films that we’ve all been a part of with Spike Lee. John David Washington
I felt a little anxious/nervous representing a real person in a Spike Lee film. John David Washington
I love America. John David Washington
A Ryan Coogler film? I’m there for it. John David Washington
