John David Washington had a “midlife crisis” 10 years ago, when he turned 30. This revelation comes as many studies show that millennials are experiencing quarter-life and midlife crises earlier than previous generations.
Washington celebrated his 40th birthday earlier this year and admitted he found entering a new decade around much more “smooth” than he did 10 years ago. Research suggests that personal growth and self-acceptance typically increase significantly between ages 30 and 40.
“When I was 30, I had a midlife crisis. I was panicked!” he told Radio Times magazine. “This one, when I hit 40, I was actually in the UK supporting my sister Olivia doing ‘Slave Play’. I felt an ease of comfort.”
The play has received critical acclaim and multiple Tony Award nominations.
“I felt good about who I am, and I understood where I needed to go to continue to evolve as a person,” Washington said.
This personal growth mindset is shared by many successful actors in Hollywood who have navigated similar transitions. Statistics show that approximately 86% of people experience some form of crisis or major life reassessment in their early 30s.
Washington says turning 40 was ‘smooth’
“So it wasn’t a crash landing like 30 was,” he said. “This was more of a smooth take-off.”
Psychological studies indicate that individuals often experience greater emotional stability and self-confidence in their 40s.
The COVID-19 pandemic saw the movie industry grind to a halt for several months and Washington admitted he feared he would never work again at one point.
“It was kind of crazy that we put it out during those times,” he said about the release of his movie Tenet. The film, despite pandemic restrictions, managed to gross over $363 million worldwide.
The film industry faced unprecedented challenges during 2020, with only 338 films released compared to 792 in 2019. The entertainment industry lost an estimated $30 billion globally during the pandemic.
“I was just desperate to work, as I didn’t think I was ever going to work again,” Washington said. “I didn’t know what the world was going to look like. I’ll never forget it. I’ll always remember exactly where I was in 2020.”
The sentiment was shared by thousands of entertainment industry professionals during the pandemic, which caused the global film industry a 71-percent drop in box office revenue that year.
John David is the son of acting legend Denzel Washington and his singer wife Pauletta, but the Amsterdam actor never felt pressure to live up to their achievements as they always encouraged him to be himself. The Washington family has collectively appeared in over 100 films and theatrical productions.
“My parents have always been supporting,” he said. “My mom was a piano teacher at 9 years old. My father attended Fordham University to study acting. They had this relentless pursuit of excellence in their artistry, so that’s all I knew.”
Denzel Washington‘s career includes two Academy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards.
“And they have both had a great influence on the kind of artist I’m trying to be,” the son continued.
Raised in arts and athletics
The family’s commitment to arts education has led to numerous philanthropic initiatives.
“My parents are a huge influence in my life, so they’ve encouraged me to be my own man,” John David said. “And I did that by playing American football professionally. … I earned a scholarship, I was a practice squad player for the St. Louis Rams.”
The NFL practice squad experience provided valuable discipline and teamwork skills that later benefited his acting career.
“My pursuit was to be my own person and I was encouraged by those who I was raised by,” he said.
This journey from professional sports to acclaimed actor mirrors other successful career transitions in entertainment history. Washington’s diverse career path, from football to acting, demonstrates the value of pursuing multiple passions. His success in both fields has inspired many young artists and athletes to consider non-traditional career paths.
