American actor Isaiah Washington was born on August 3, 1963 in Houston, Texas. He attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., and served the United States Air Force at one point. He made his screen debut in 1991, in the film The Color of Love. He, however, is perhaps more known for his television work, with guest roles in programs such as Law & Order, NYPD Blue, New York Undercover, Living Single and Ally McBeal. He also had minor roles in films such as Stonewall, Dead Presidents, Girl 6, Get on the Bus, Always Outnumbered and Mixing Nia.
His acting credits from the start of the new millennium include Romeo Must Die, Sacred is the Flesh, Welcome to Collinwood, Hollywood Homicide and Wild Things 2, as well as roles in television shows such as Soul Food, Touched by an Angel, and All My Children. Washington, however, is best known for his role as the gifted heart surgeon Dr. Preston Burke in the medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. His character aspires to become Chief of Surgery but is affected by his relationship with Cristina yang (Sandra Oh). His performance won him two NAACP Image Awards for Best Actor in a Drama, as well as a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2007.
Washington’s reputation, however, has been marred when he used a derogatory remark on Grey’s Anatomy co-star T.R. Knight and his sexuality. The controversy eventually pressured the program’s producer to fire Washington and write off his character in the series, despite his public apologies and his seeking counseling for his behavior. He then took a role in the science fiction television series Bionic Woman, where he played Antonio Pope, a bionics program advisor who’s seen to have motives against Jamie Sommers (Michelle Ryan). His character was eventually killed after a few episodes, and the series was ultimately cancelled. Since then, he took on a guest role in the series The Cleaner, in the 2008 episode, “The Eleventh Hour.” He soon signed on to portray characters in films like The Least of These and Hurricane Season.
Washington has also been known for his extensive charity work and philanthropy in Africa. He is credited as the founder of the Gondobay Manga Foundation, advocating cooperative planning to improve the lives of people in Sierra Leone. In 2007, he worked with the organization to open its first school, Chief Foday Golia Memorial School, in the Njala Kendema village. Other charities he has been involved in are the White House Summit on Malaria, and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
Spouse:
Jenisa Marie Washington (14 February 1999 - present)
Graduated from Willowridge High School (1981, Houston, Texas)
Took a DNA test to determine his heritage. The results concluded that his father's side is Angolan and his mother's side is from Sierra Leone.
At one time in his life he wanted to be a professional football player.
His mother was the first African American woman to be licensed as a barber in the state of Texas.
After leaving Howard University (Theater Arts major), he became an original member of the City Kids Repertory, a theater company that performed in schools in effort to bring relevant productions to high-risk kids.
Following a confrontation with fellow cast member Patrick Dempsey on the set of "Grey's Anatomy" (2005), it was reported that the altercation was related to Washington's use of the epithet "!$#!#" towards their co-star T.R. Knight. In response to press queries about the incident, he denied that accusation in the backstage area at the 2007 Golden Globe Awards. However, Knight and other cast members later stated that he did use the word (January 2007).
Has two sons Isaiah, Tyme and one daughter, Iman.
3 wins & 3 nominations.
2007: (won) Image Award
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
for: "Grey's Anatomy" (2005)
2006: (won) Image Award
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
for: "Grey's Anatomy" (2005)
2007: (won)Screen Actors Guild Awards/Actor
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
for: "Grey's Anatomy" (2005)
Shared with: Justin Chambers, Eric Dane, Patrick Dempsey, Katherine Heigl, T.R. Knight, Sandra Oh, James Pickens Jr., Ellen Pompeo, Sara Ramirez, Kate Walsh, Chandra Wilson
2009: Hurricane Season - Coach Simmons
2008: The Least of These - Father Andre James
2007: "Bionic Woman" - Antonio Pope (5 episodes)
2005-2007: "Grey's Anatomy" - Dr. Preston Burke (61 episodes)
2005: The Moguls - Homer
2004: Trois 3: The Escort - Bernard 'Benny' Grier
2004: Dead Birds - Todd
2003: This Girl's Life - Shane
2003: Hollywood Homicide - Antoine Sartain
2002: Ghost Ship - Greer
2002: Welcome to Collinwood - Leon
2001: Sacred Is the Flesh - Roland
2001: Exit Wounds - George Clark
2000: Kin - Stone
2000: Romeo Must Die - Mac
2000: Dancing in September - George Washington
2000: Veil - Bentley
1999: A Texas Funeral - Walter
1999: True Crime - Frank Louis Beechum
1998: Out of Sight - Kenneth
1998: Rituals - Wendal
1998: Bulworth - Darnell, Nina's Brother
1998: Mixing Nia - Lewis
1997: Love Jones - Savon Garrison
1996: Get on the Bus - Kyle
1995: Clockers - Victor Dunham
1994: Alma's Rainbow - Miles
1994: Crooklyn - Vic
1991: Strictly Business - Hustler
1991: Land Where My Fathers Died - Malcolm
"You don't have the time to "make the time" to do anything. You have to do it now!"
"Even if I'm playing a bad guy, I work hard to make him multi-leveled and interesting."
"I'm no longer going to play thugs or debauched cops that I can't possibly make complex characters. I'm bigger than that. I owe too much to too many good people at the Goodman, Arena and Playwrights Horizons."
[On being fired from Grey's Anatomy]: I apologized and showed my remorse for what I said and for the pain I caused anyone. If a black man can't get forgiveness in this country, when so many other people like Robert Downey, Jr. and the governor of California get second and third chances... I think that says a lot about race and this country where we stand.