Denzel Washington took a break from promoting Gladiator II to support his family.
The Academy Award winner, 69, was joined by his wife Pauletta Washington, and three of their four kids — Katia Washington, John David Washington and Malcolm Washington — at the premiere of Netflix’s The Piano Lesson at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Nov. 19.
Both of Denzel’s sons have a hand in the musical drama, which follows the Charles family as they make difficult decisions to determine the fate of their heirloom piano engraved with ancestors’ faces.
Denzel Washington, Katia Washington, Pauletta Washington, John David Washington and Malcolm Washington attend the Premiere of Netflix’s “The Piano Lesson” at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024.
Jon Kopaloff/Getty
John David, 40, takes on the leading role of Boy Willie, while Malcolm, 33, made his directorial debut with the film. Denzel co-produced the film, which is an adaptation of August Wilson’s play of the same title.
In an interview with Deadline published Monday, Nov. 18, Malcolm said his late grandfather inspired his decision to direct the project.
“A big part of (The Piano Lesson) was based on my grandfather,” he told the outlet, referring to Pauletta’s father, who “passed away when I was 8 years old. But as you can imagine, he was a big influence on my mom.”
Danielle Deadwyler as Berniece, John David Washington as Boy Willie, Ray Fisher as Lymon and Samuel L. Jackson as Doaker Charles in The Piano Lesson.
David Lee/Netflix
Malcolm also co-wrote the film with Oscar-nominated writer Virgil Williams.
Pauletta “always talked to me about (her father) and how I reminded her of him and that his qualities live in me. When I think of what I want to be as a man, I think of him even though we only shared my first eight years of life together,” Malcolm told Deadline.
“In this way, he is guiding me,” Malcolm said of his grandfather.
In September, Denzel spoke exclusively to PEOPLE at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 10, where he gushed about the work both of his boys are doing.
“I’m proud to be a part of August Wilson in some small way,” the veteran actor, who starred in and directed the 2016 film adaptation of Wilson’s Fences opposite Viola Davis, began.
John David Washington, Katia Washington, Pauletta Washington, Malcolm Washington, and Denzel Washington attend the premiere of “The Piano Lesson” during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
Monica Schipper/Getty
He continued of his son Malcolm: “I’m happy that people will get a chance to see what a filmmaker Malcolm is. I’m excited about our future together with August Wilson.”
In addition to John David, the cast also features Danielle Deadwyler, Samuel L. Jackson, Erykah Badu, Gail Bean and Corey Hawkins.
“A battle is brewing in the Charles household,” a synopsis for the movie begins. “At the center stands a prized heirloom piano tearing two siblings apart. On one side, a brother (John David) plans to build the family fortune by selling it.”
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“On the other, a sister (Deadwyler) will go to any lengths to hold onto the sole vestige of the family’s heritage. Their uncle (Jackson) tries to mediate, but even he can’t hold back the ghosts of the past,” the synopsis adds.
The Piano Lesson is in theaters now and streaming on Netflix on Friday, Nov. 22. Gladiator II also opens in theaters on Friday.
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