Denzel Washington says he doesn’t consider himself a “Hollywood actor”

Denzel Washington Prefer to think of oneself as a theater actor before a movie star.

During an interview at CBS News’ Sunday morning On March 23, the actor, 70, talked about his role with Jake Gyllenhaal In the new Broadway production of Shakespeares Othello – And reflected on why he considers himself as a theater artist before everything else.

“What is the definition of a Hollywood actor? Myself, I’m from Mt. Vernon, so I’m a” mt. Vernon actor, “Washington said, referring to his hometown in New York.” I don’t know what “Hollywood” means. ”

“Anyone known on film? A movie actor, great success on film?” continued Washington, who has won Oscars for his work in films including 1989 Glory and 2001’s Training day.

“I’m a stage actor like movies. It’s not the other way around,” Washington explained. “I did the scene first. I learned to act on stage, not on movies. Movies are a filmmaker’s medium. You shoot it, and then you are gone, and they cut together and add music and do all this. Theater is the medium of an actor. The curtain goes up, no one can help you.”

The new production of Oops – who celebrated its premiere March 23 – contains Washington in the title role and Gyllenhaal, 44, as the rogue Iago. This is the first time Oops Has been on Broadway for more than 40 years. The last revival, 1982, played the lead role James Earl Jones As othello, Christopher Plummer Like IAGO and Dianne Wiest Like Desdemona.

Somewhere else in their conversation with Sunday morningWashington talked about how the Broadway production is a dream for him – and how he hopes he can fill the shoes from the late Jones, one of his heroes.

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“James Earl Jones was my northern star when I went to college,” he said. “He was the one I wanted to be. I couldn’t see his OopsBut I know it wasn’t as good as my 22-year interpretation. But you know, that’s my turn. ”

“I know much less now,” Washington continued, reflecting on his 22-year-old self’s interpretation of the titular military officer role. “I thought I knew everything then. I didn’t really like the part, because I wasn’t wise enough to understand it. Now I understand that it is really about a band, you know, that these characters have. He does not love wise, but for well.”

Working with Gyllenhaal and getting a Shakespeare production of this scale, he added, is “the most excited I have been this century.”

“Seriously,” he said. “I haven’t been so excited about something I’ve done because I am about this.”

Tony award-winning director Kenny Leon Helm’s production, which will be run for a strictly limited 15-week involvement. Lead producer Brian Anthony Moreland led the production to the stage, along with a series of co -producers including Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Kandi Burrus And her husband Todd Tucker.

Oops Playing at Broadways Barrymore Theater, now through Sunday June 8th.