Denzel Washington's Kids: Meet John, Katia, Malcolm and Olivia

Since rising to fame, Denzel Washington has cemented his status as one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors. But for the star, he’s created a more meaningful legacy as the father of his kids, John, Katia, Malcolm and Olivia.

Denzel shares his four children with his wife, Pauletta Washington. The Equalizer actor and the Wilma actress married in 1983 and started their family the following year when their eldest son, John, arrived in 1984. John’s birth was followed by Katia in 1987, and their twins, Malcolm and Olivia, in 1991.

The Training Day actor was fortunate enough to give his kiddos everything they wanted when they were growing up, but Denzel and Pauletta didn’t raise their children to be spoiled. The film icon said they tried to instill “positive influences” in John, Katia, Malcolm and Olivia.

“In our case: church, school, humility, volunteering … the importance of helping others,” he told the Guardian in 2010. “My children are good people. They are not perfect, but they are generous and humble and kind.”

Considering Denzel was juggling his role as a dad while starring in showbiz, he credited Pauletta for giving their kids the most “normal life” possible. “My wife’s done a great job. She’s been the consistent one,” he told Reader’s Digest in August 2020.

“If you have kids, you know there is no style! It’s a hybrid,” the Academy Award winner continued. “It’s what my wife and I learned from our parents, and applying religious instruction, discipline, athletic activity and academic excellence whenever possible.”

Even though Denzel and Pauletta experienced bumps in the road like every other parent, they are proud of how well their kiddos turned out. Looking back, the American Gangster star’s son John is super appreciative of his dad’s parenting techniques.

“I think children are born good. But a child doesn’t know right from wrong, so moral instruction is important,” he told the Guardian. “I remember my eldest boy saying ‘Dad, I always thought you were so strict ― now I appreciate it.’ Free will can be a double-edged sword. By the age of 21, my son could see that.”

When it comes to his children and their acting endeavors, Denzel is their biggest cheerleader. During a January 2021 interview on Good Morning America, he gushed about his family and all of the tremendous things they have accomplished in Hollywood.

“I’m a dad so I’m gonna keep saying it: Olivia Washington is a great young actress. Very, very, very good young actress, so she’s coming for her brother [John David]” he said. “It’s a team sport in our house. My wife was a child prodigy — concert pianist, Van Cliburn competitor and singer and actress. My daughter Katia is a producer — she produced Malcolm & Marie and Assassination Nation and others. My baby boy, Malcolm, is a director and a producer.”

Scroll through the gallery below to learn more about Denzel’s four kids!

John David Washington

Denzel and Pauletta’s eldest son, John, was born on July 28, 1984. John started his career as a football player when he attended Morehouse College. In 2006, he was signed with the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in the NFL, but he continued playing football in another league when he was released that same year.

By the early 2010s, John began his journey in showbiz. Aside from his role of Ricky Jerret on Ballers, which he appeared on for four years until 2019, John has also been cast in BlacKkKlansman, Love Beats Rhymes and The Old Man & the Gun.

There’s no doubt John is on his way to paving a career like the acting legend, but he was once reluctant to follow in his dad’s famous footsteps. Even though the actor “always wanted to do what” Denzel did, he chose to pursue football in fear he would fail in Hollywood.

“I jumped in and hid in this football persona, this athlete, literally putting on a helmet to hide my face, hide my identity,” he explained to WSJ in January 2021. So instead of following his dreams, John signed as an undrafted free agent and played four years as the running back for the United Football League’s Sacramento Mountain Lions.

John eventually gave up football to pursue his longtime acting career, and in 2015, he landed a starring role on HBO’s Ballers. While talking with WSJ, John dished the reason he didn’t tell Denzel about his audition.

“I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it,” he explained. “I’ll never forget how he expressed how proud he was of me. That was a great moment for me.”

Katia Washington

The couple’s eldest daughter, Katia, was born on November 27, 1987. Like her older brother, Katia also went to college and received her law degree from Yale University in 2010.

Nowadays, Katia works as a producer in Hollywood. According to IMDb, she’s produced Pieces of a Woman, Assassination Nation, Fences and most recently, Malcolm and Marie. She also worked in the editorial department on Quentin Tarantino‘s film Django Unchained.

Malcolm Washington

Malcolm was born on April 10, 1991, alongside his twin sister, Olivia. Before pursuing a career in showbiz, Malcolm received his degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where he played basketball. He graduated in 2013, according to reports.

Malcolm is already following in his dad’s footsteps. So far, he’s directed The Last Bookstore, Trouble Man and Benny Got Shot, as well as produced North Hollywood, The Dispute and Summer of 17.

Olivia Washington

Olivia was also born on April 10, 1991. Similar to her other siblings, Olivia focused on her education before working in showbiz. According to reports, she graduated from New York University.

Olivia is a model, but she’s better known for her acting skills. So far, she’s appeared in Great Performances, She’s Gotta Have It, Chicago P.D., Mr. Robot, Madoff and many more.