Allison Samuels first met Denzel Washington 15 years ago. She was a college sophomore on a newspaper internship. He was performing in a Broadway show and had recently earned his first Academy Award nomination for “Cry Freedom.” As they talked backstage, Samuels found “just a regular guy.” Today, “he still wears jeans and T shirts,” says Samuels. “You can walk right past him on the street.” This winter, over jasmine tea, the two discussed sports, music, family and, of course, his role in Hollywood–which last week awarded Washington the fifth Oscar nomination of his career, for “Training Day.” “He’s the most significant African-American actor out there,” says Samuels. “But he’s very real.” (Page 54)
