Austin Butler Has An Unexpected Connection To Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington's kind gesture led to a big career achievement for Austin Butler. Butler and Washington collaborated in 2018 when they acted together in the Broadway production of "The Iceman Cometh." When Butler chatted with GQ in 2022, he talked about how Washington imparted acting wisdom behind the scenes. "He started giving me acting advice and he really took me under his wing," Butler said. "He'd start telling me thoughts about the scene, and suddenly I've got Denzel almost as an acting coach."

In addition to taking on starring roles in acclaimed projects over the years like "Training Day," "Flight," and "Fences," Washington has made it a point be generous to those around him. In an archival quote published on Oprah.com, Washington expressed this idea. "At the end of the day it's not about what you have or even what you've accomplished ... It's about who you lifted up, who you've made better. It's about what you've given back," Washington said. Following the two joining forces, Washington helped Butler secure a part that's become one of his most memorable onscreen appearances to date.

Denzel Washington played a part in Austin Butler landing the lead role in "Elvis," the 2022 biopic on Elvis Presley's life. In a 2022 interview with Entertainment Weekly, the director of the movie, Baz Luhrmann, talked about choosing Butler to play Presley. Luhrmann was first interested in Butler for the part after watching a videotape Butler had sent of himself singing "Unchained Meoldy," which Presley sang in 1977. After Luhrmann viewed the tape, Washington gave him a call recommending Butler for the role. Washington, who doesn't personally know Luhrmann, told the filmmaker of Butler's dedication to his work as they collaborated for "The Iceman Cometh."

" ... [Washington] said, 'I've just worked with this guy on stage. I've never seen a work ethic like it,'" Luhrmann said. "And I'm like, 'Okay, I must see him.'" When he spoke to GQ in May 2022, Butler mentioned his appreciation of Washington's endorsement. "I was so grateful for that," Butler said of Washington calling Luhrmann. "[Washington] didn't call me beforehand, he didn't call me after. It was this generous thing that he just did." Now, Butler has received a prestigious honor for his performance in this film on the King of Rock 'n' Roll.

Denzel Washington's positive words about Austin Butler's acting skills contributed to Butler carrying out a role that has earned him a major award. After Washington expressed Butler's devotion to acting to director Baz Luhrmann, in 2019 it was revealed by Deadline that Butler had secured the part of Elvis Presley in "Elvis." Months after the film's June 2022 debut, the 2023 Golden Globe nominees were announced in December. Butler was subsequently nominated for an award in theBest Actor in a Drama, Motion Picture category.

On January 10, Butler emerged victorious as he won the honor, which marked his first-ever Golden Globe award win, as PopSugar noted. During his acceptance speech, Butler made sure to thank Washington for his ongoing giving nature. "I gotta thank Denzel Washington," Butler said, per NBC. "Denzel, thank you for your kindness, thank you for your generosity in championing me when you did not have to. I am so grateful for all eternity to you."