Denzel Washington Had to Improvise After Breaking a Door on Stage - Fallon Flashback

Summary

Summary of "Denzel Washington Had to Improvise After Breaking a Door on Stage - Fallon Flashback"

Release Date: December 27, 2024

In this engaging "Fallon Flashback" episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, host Jimmy Fallon sits down with acclaimed actor Denzel Washington for an insightful and entertaining conversation. The episode delves into their shared connections, Denzel's early career, memorable anecdotes from his Broadway performances, and his perspectives on theater and acting. Below is a detailed summary of the episode, highlighting key discussions, notable quotes, and insightful moments.

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1. Warm Welcome and Shared Connections

The episode kicks off with Jimmy Fallon warmly welcoming Denzel Washington to the show.

• Jimmy Fallon (00:03): "You're listening to a special Fallon flashback episode of the Tonight Show. And now, here he is, Jimmy Fallon."

Denzel expresses his admiration for Fallon and reveals a familial connection that adds a personal touch to their interaction.

• Denzel Washington (00:26): "I grew up always being a fan of yours because in a weird way, we're connected."

• Jimmy Fallon (00:35): "We're brothers."

• Denzel Washington (00:39): "My uncle Kevin Fallon played basketball for Fordham."

This revelation sets a friendly and relatable tone for the episode, highlighting the genuine rapport between the host and guest.

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2. Denzel's Athletic and Academic Journey

The conversation transitions to Denzel's background in sports and education, shedding light on his early aspirations and challenges.

• Denzel Washington (01:03): "I played the freshman ball, but they were very good."

Denzel shares an anecdote about his uncle encouraging him to attend one of Fallon's games, only for Fallon to be occupied with an audition.

• Denzel Washington (01:09): "He told me, 'Denzel, you're going to come to the game?' And you said, 'No, I'm going to audition or do some theater thing.'"

Reflecting on this moment, Denzel acknowledges the accuracy of his uncle's prediction about his successful career.

• Denzel Washington (01:31): "He was right. Here you are. You've won Oscars."

This segment underscores the influence of family and early experiences in shaping Denzel's path to success.

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3. Discussion on Basketball and Celebrities

The duo lightens the mood by reminiscing about basketball, touching upon figures like LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal.

• Denzel Washington (02:45): "I was watching you and LeBron. You're quite a player."

• Jimmy Fallon (03:02): "He can't go to the Gap. I mean, no, it's gotta be a really big Gap. Yeah, right? Big guy Gap."

They humorously discuss the practicalities of basketball players' attire, adding a comedic flair to the conversation.

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4. Collaborative Work with Spike Lee

Denzel highlights his professional relationship with renowned director Spike Lee, emphasizing their collaborative projects.

• Denzel Washington (03:38): "We were also both directed by Spike Lee."

• Jimmy Fallon (03:45): "He directed our opening for the show."

They discuss the unique style Spike Lee brings to their projects, including guerrilla-style shooting across New York City.

• Jimmy Fallon (04:00): "We went guerrilla style. Went all around New York City at late at night, like midnight, and got shots of me leaving, walking past the library, Lincoln Center. But then we did a lot of food. We went to Katz's Deli."

This collaboration showcases the creative synergy between the host and guest, resulting in memorable on-screen moments.

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5. Anecdote: Improvisation on Broadway

One of the episode's highlights is Denzel recounting a spontaneous incident during a Broadway performance, demonstrating his ability to adapt under pressure.

• Denzel Washington (05:06): "I did a show once on Broadway where I'm supposed to come in. I'm supposed to be real angry. And I come in and I open the door, and I go in, and me. And she was my wife in the play. We have an argument. So I come in and huff. I'm real angry when I grab the door and I pull the doorknob off the door, right?"

An unexpected malfunction occurs when the doorknob breaks, leaving Denzel outside and his co-star unaware.

• Denzel Washington (05:31): "And then the part, the long part, you know, that turns. It fell on the inside, right? Now she's off stage. So she doesn't know I'm not on stage yet. So I'm like, get out here and open this door."

Undeterred, Denzel improvises, turning the mishap into a compelling on-stage moment.

• Denzel Washington (05:50): "Get out here. I am so mad at you around this soap."

His quick thinking not only salvages the scene but also earns him acclaim from the audience.

• Denzel Washington (06:06): "So people were like, oh, that was a brilliant argument, the way you did it with the door."

This story underscores Denzel's professionalism and creativity in live performances.

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6. Insights on Theater and Acting

Denzel shares his deep appreciation for theater as an actor's medium, highlighting the immediacy and unpredictability that live performances entail.

• Denzel Washington (05:06): "Theater is an actor's medium in a sense. I mean, obviously, there's a director, but once the curtain goes up, just like your show, once the curtain goes up, you know, it's on."

He discusses the collaborative effort required in theater and the importance of maintaining the flow despite unforeseen challenges.

• Denzel Washington (05:52): "Yeah, come on, let's do this."

His reflections provide valuable insights into the dedication and adaptability required in the performing arts.

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7. Upcoming Performances and Tributes

The conversation concludes with Denzel announcing his upcoming Broadway performance of "Raisin in the Sun" at the Barrymore Theater, paying homage to Sidney Poitier, the play's originator.

• Denzel Washington (06:28): "It's 55 years later, and you're doing this play at the Barrymore Theater."

He expresses gratitude towards Sidney Poitier, emphasizing the mentorship and guidance he has received.

• Denzel Washington (06:48): "I've spent some time with Sidney Poitier. He originated the role. And I've just been hanging out his house a little bit, and he's just a great gentleman. He's so gracious."

Denzel invites viewers to attend his performance, underscoring his continued commitment to theater.

• Denzel Washington (06:53): "If you're in New York or around New York, March 8 is when previews start. Go see Denzel Washington raise it in the sun, the Barrymore Theater."

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8. Closing Remarks

Jimmy Fallon wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to subscribe for future episodes and watch the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon on NBC and Peacock.

• Jimmy Fallon (07:15): "Thanks for listening to the Tonight show starring Jimmy Fallon. Don't forget to subscribe to get the latest episodes weekday mornings. Wherever you get your podcast. Watch the Tonight show starring Jimmy Fallon, weeknights on NBC and streaming on Peacock."

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Key Takeaways:

• Shared Heritage: Denzel Washington and Jimmy Fallon share a familial connection through Denzel's uncle, Kevin Fallon, who played basketball for Fordham.

• Professional Collaborations: Both have worked under the direction of Spike Lee, highlighting their collaborative spirit and creative synergy.

• Adaptability in Performance: Denzel's ability to improvise during unforeseen circumstances on stage exemplifies his professionalism and dedication to his craft.

• Commitment to Theater: Denzel emphasizes the importance of theater as a dynamic medium, appreciating its immediacy and the actor's role in maintaining the performance's integrity.

• Upcoming Projects: Denzel is set to perform "Raisin in the Sun" at the Barrymore Theater, honoring Sidney Poitier's legacy and contributing to the rich tradition of Broadway theater.

This episode offers a captivating glimpse into Denzel Washington's experiences, his relationship with Jimmy Fallon, and his unwavering passion for acting and theater.

Transcript

[Jimmy Fallon]

You're listening to a special Fallon flashback episode of the Tonight Show. And now, here he is, Jimmy Fallon.

[Denzel Washington]

Denzel, they love you. Come on, eat it up. They love you. Welcome to the show. Thank you so much for being here. It means a lot to me.

Thank you. And congratulations to you.

Thank you so much. I grew up always being a fan of yours because in a weird way, we're connected.

Okay.

We're brothers.

I know.

No, no, I know that. We are. What a cut. My uncle Kevin Fallon played basketball for Fordham.

Oh, at Fordham. Yeah, yeah, yeah. We got rounds out.

Fordham out of the house.

We got. Are those Fordham Rams?

We got some Fordham fans out there.

How we doing this year? We doing.

At least they didn't lie there. I was like, yeah, let's talk about something else.

No, when I, when I, when I was there and I, I played the freshman ball, but they were very good.

Yeah, my uncle varsity, he almost did. He almost. He was close to getting into the NBA and then he went to something else, but he told, he's told the story where he ran into you in the hallway in like a dorm or something. And he said, denzel, you're going to come to the game? And you said, no, no, I'm. I'm going to audition or I'm doing some theater thing.

Oh, yeah.

And my uncle's like, well, he's never worked out all. Yeah.

And he was right.

He was right. Here you are. You've won Oscars. Yeah. My uncle did not play in the NBA, but he did well for himself. No, he's a good guy. But he, He's a good guy.

You actually just threw him under the bus.

I did. Right. Yeah, He's a good guy.

He's a good guy.

But your coach was P.J.

Carlissimo, so.

P.J. carlissimo was my coach.

Yeah.

He's the man.

Yeah.

Yeah. My uncle through. Because I, I, I wasn't a great student in high school, tried to get into Seton hall, and I had, I had.

Wait a minute.

Seton Hall? Yeah. How we, how we doing this year?

Bry Dickerson, Rutgers.

Sarah Lawrence. So he, Sarah, he wrote, he wrote a letter of recommendation for me to get in Seton Hall.

Oh, yeah.

And I was so dumb, I still didn't get Seton Hall.

They had the check aboard gym floor. They did. Yeah, yeah, yeah. SE Hall.

I couldn't explain it. So.

Yeah, they still had the. No SE Hall.

No, yeah, but they did. They did. They had that.

They got the checkerboard gym floor still.

They don't. Not anymore. No. Now they don't even shoot a basketball. It's lasers. Totally different game.

I was watching you and LeBron. You're quite a player.

Not that bad. Right? But he's the one that banked off the IT guy's head. He's got skills, man. He's a good sport, man. We had Shaq on the other day and, God, he's a big guy.

He's a big boy.

You don't realize how big these players are. When you watch on TV, they're this big.

He's got shoes like, he's like 20 somethings.

Oh, he put. He had a suit jacket. He has his own line of suits. And he goes.

He has to, right?

Oh, exactly.

He can't, like, go to. Go to the. You know.

He can't go to the Gap. I mean, no, it's gotta be a really big Gap. Yeah, right? Big guy Gap. Yeah. They have Baby Gap and then Giant Gap.

Big Gap.

Yeah, big Gap.

Big Gap.

But I tried on his jacket because he was like, it's one size fits all or something. I go, well, that's not true. I mean, how can that fit me? He goes, oh, try. So I tried his jacket on and it looked like I was wearing a graduation gown.

Right.

It was awesome. We also have another thing in common. We were also both directed by Spike Lee.

Oh, ok.

He directed our opening. Oh, yeah, yeah. And our opening for a show. And we went around. Here's the fun thing about Spike.

Did you do spinning cameras?

No. Spike. That's what we're missing.

We're missing the spinning. It's not too late.

Not too late. We went, like guerrilla style. Went all around New York City at late at night, like midnight, and got shots of me leaving, walking past the library, Lincoln Center. But then we did a lot of food. We went to Katz's Deli.

Oh, yeah.

We went to Gramercy Tavern. We went to Red Rooster. And what happened was we edited together and just basically me eating.

Now, what's better, Katz's Deli or Carnegie Deli? I don't want to put any. You're in trouble already. Cats. Now, Katz is on Houston, right?

Yeah. Cats is downtown. I mean, that's a good corned beef right there.

Yeah, that's a big one.

But Carne is a good time, too. I mean, I don't know what to say. That's a lot of pressure. I'm gonna say.

I think one day we should just go and do a test. I think we should go to one and then go to the other.

We'll do that. All right, we'll do a test as.

A part of the show.

Right now, I'm just gonna be in the middle. I'll just say, Sarah Lawrence. They have the best. Have you ever tried it at the cafeteria? Yeah, they have the best corned beef. That's correct. How exciting. You're coming back to Broadway, right? Raisin in the Sun. This is cool. I love to see actors live, you know, because I feel like when you see them on movies, it's amazing. And I love that, too. But then when you see them live in the theater, it's like, oh, my gosh.

Yeah, well, you know, theater is an actor's medium in a sense. I mean, obviously, there's a director, but once the curtain goes up, just like your show, once the curtain goes up, you know, it's on. And if, you know, something breaks, you just keep going. I did a show once on Broadway where I'm supposed to come in. I'm supposed to be real angry. And I come in and I open the door, and I go in, and me. And she was my wife in the play. We have an argument. So I come in and huff. I'm real angry when I grab the door and I pull the doorknob off the door, right? And then the part, the long part, you know, that turns. It fell on the inside, right? Now she's off stage. So she doesn't know I'm not on stage yet. So I'm like, get out here and open this door.

Get out of here. Yelling through the hole.

Yeah, yeah. Guess what this is sitting here. I am so mad at you around this soap.

I'll squeeze through this door hole.

And she actually was off stage. She was like, what? She started peeking. I'm like, get out.

Get out of here. Yeah, come on, let's do this.

So people were like, oh, that was a brilliant argument, the way you did it with the door.

Gosh, that's hilarious. You're brilliant. Yeah, you're a genius. Yeah, you're a genius. The cool thing about this is, I mean, there's a lot of cool things about this, but when this first. This play first came out, it premiered March 11, 1959, at the Barrymore Theater.

Where are we going to open? Almost to the day.

Almost to the day. March 8th. It's 55 years later, and you're doing this play at the Barrymore Theater.

I've spent some time with Sidney Poitier. He originated the role. And I just been hanging out his house a little bit, and he's just a great gentleman. He's so gracious.

He's giving you some tips.

Yeah, I took him shoot. Yeah, I was learn from the best.

Well, anyways, if you're in New York or around New York, March 8 is when previews start. Go see Denzel Washington raise it in the sun, the Barrymore Theater.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Thanks for listening to the Tonight show starring Jimmy Fallon. Don't forget to subscribe to get the latest episodes weekday mornings. Wherever you get your podcast. Watch the Tonight show starring Jimmy Fallon, weeknights on NBC and streaming on Peacock.