Denzel Washington’s frank response to a young fan’s question on how to be a “gangster” like him went viral.
Denzel Washington went viral for his very candid response when a young fan asked him how to be ‘gangster’ like him
Though he was seemingly in a rush to get to the screening he stopped to have a chat with eight-year-old Liam the Kid Reporter for Virgin Radio’s Daryn & Deepa show in a video posted onto Instagram
Liam has been featured on the social media of radio show Daryn & Deepa which airs on Virgin Radio on 99.9FM in the greater Toronto area, and across Canada on iHeartRadio.ca and the iHeartRadio Canada app.
The Oscar-winner gave the child the opportunity to ask a question as the youngster queried: ‘Hi, I’m Liam. I’ve heard American Gangster is a good movie. How can I be a Canadian gangster?’
Denzel quickly answered: ‘You shouldn’t be a gangster. You’re too smart to be a gangster. What’s your favorite [school] subject?’
Denzel starred as New York City drug kingpin Frank Lucas in the 2007 biographical crime drama American Gangster which was directed by Ridley Scott.
Host Deepa Prashad commented on the clip: ‘What a moment. Made me emotional seeing all the press supporting little Liam’
Many fans were touched by the interaction and how Denzel responded as one wrote: ‘He will remember that interaction for the rest of his life.’
However, a lot of responses poked fun at how Denzel assumed the child – who is of Asian decent – liked math and science which is seen as a stereotype as onecommenter replied: ‘What’s your favorite subject… math and science? I see you Denzel [two rolling on the floor emojis]’
Another said: ‘Why did my guy Denzel assume the Asian kid’s favorite subject was math? [thinking face emoji] But luv him and gonna let Unc slide on this one’
Denzel starred as New York City drug kingpin Frank Lucas in the 2007 biographical crime drama American Gangster which was directed by Ridley Scott
Denzel (left) posed with his wife Pauletta (center) and three of their children, (from left) John David, Katia, and Malcolm at the Toronto International Film Festival back on September 11
They were all attending the premiere of Malcolm’s directorial debut The Piano Lesson, which also features John David in a major role
Denzel and Pauletta, who celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last year, still looked the image of marital bliss on the red carpet