Denzel Washington's Oscar-nominated roles showcase his versatility, from portraying a tragic hero to corrupt villain roles. Washington's portrayal in Flight and Training Day highlight his impactful performances, although some may lack subtlety. Despite mixed reviews, Washington elevates movies like Roman J. Israel, Esq. with his magnetic on-screen presence and remarkable acting skills.

Although Denzel Washington's career is full of impressive performances, nine Academy Award-nominated roles stand apart from the rest. Following his first nomination in 1987's Cry Freedom, Washington's career has been punctuated by frequent recognition from the Academy with two of the nine nominations resulting in wins. However, while it would be easy to assume that Washington's Oscar-winning roles rank as his best, the truth is actually much more complicated.

One of the many things that marks Denzel Washington out as an actor is the diversity of the roles he takes on. His Oscar nominations, for example,...