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Spike Lee went ahead and made a bold declaration regarding Denzel, and now people are buzzing about it. It’s out there: The great director recently sat down on The Ringer with Bill Simmons and without a trace of hesitation crowned Denzel as the “greatest living actor.” Thanks to a snippet teased near-viral across social media, Lee can be heard walking through reason after reason in support of his belief that Denzel is in a class by himself on that upper echelon.
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“Here’s the thing for me,” Lee continues in the clip. “I say this very respectfully. I feel Denzel’s the greatest living actor. He’s a one-of-one.” He then went on the offensive with a comparison, likening Washington’s versatility to that of a top-level basketball player who smoothly glides from one style of play into the other: “He can be the coolest guy in the movie, but he can also disappear into a character. He can be the dad in an `Ordinary People’ type movie, but he can also be the guy in `Man on Fire.’ Or `Training Day.’”
The accolades didn’t end there. He continued praising Washington’s chameleon abilities fitting into any role and called him “…the most malleable of any A-list actor we’ve had.” To dare mention “Malcolm X” and “Mo’ Better Blues” made the argument practically irrefutable.
It was, of course, good fodder for the Internet. Many stood behind Lee’s statement while dissenters threw in names such as Al Pacino, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Eddie Murphy.
“I love Denzel, but greatest living actor is a stretch when you have Pacino, Wesley Snipes, and DiCaprio in the conversation.”
“Easily the greatest living American actor, and it’s not even close.”
The conversation suddenly took a twist when Eddie Murphy was put forth for range-and there ain’t no one else in the film biz who’s ever done so many different kinds of characters, from comedy to drama, while successfully making you forget about who they actually are.
“With Eddie, I always have to remind myself that’s Eddie Murphy,” reads the comment. “‘True GOAT.’”
That very comparison to basketball was not appreciated by some. One commenter noted: “Jesus Christ, Bill, literally every conversation you have, you relate it to basketball players. How simple are you, dude?”
The love for Denzel could have drowned out anything. Another incredibly close memory of Denzel’s presence came back into the spotlight: “Malcolm X is one of the most extraordinary films. Denzel and Spike together are like a bowl of fresh black-eyed peas with rice and collard greens–good for the soul.” Another chimed in: “Amazing to say I’ve seen just about all his movies. Can’t say that about most actors.”
Those who did not agree with Lee couldn’t argue about Washington being valid. Some also regarded Daniel Day-Lewis as a serious contender while others believed the inclusion of Tom Hanks was warranted due to his diversity. “They both crushed it in `Philadelphia,” one said.
That legacy that Denzel-for-ever-was-who-is-argued-on behalf proves his antique was untouchable. That only continues the debate, thanks to Spike Lee.
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So who is the greatest? Let the fans argue that one. But with Spike Lee, that one is already taken.