Isaiah Washington

Infobox actor


caption =
birthname = Isaiah Washington IV
birthdate = birth date and age|1963|8|3
birthplace = Houston, Texas, U.S.
spouse = Jenisa Marie Washington (1999 - present)
screenactorsguildawards= Best Ensemble - Drama Series
2006 "Grey's Anatomy"

Isaiah Washington IV (born August 3, 1963) is an American actor.

Personal life

Early life

Washington was born in Houston, Texas, where his parents were residents in the Houston Heights community. His parents relocated to Missouri City, Texas around 1980, where he was one of the first graduates from Willowridge High School, Houston, in 1981. Washington revealed in an interview with Star Jones that his father, after whom he was named, was murdered when he was 13 years old. Washington went on to serve in the United States Air Force and attended Howard University. Washington married Jenisa Marie Washington on February 14, 1999. The couple has three children.

Career

Grey's Anatomy

Washington is perhaps best known for his role as the gifted cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Preston Burke on "Grey's Anatomy", a portrayal that earned him two NAACP Image Award for Best Actor in a Drama series as well as a SAG Award. He was paired onscreen with Sandra Oh, who plays intern Dr. Cristina Yang. Washington had originally auditioned for the role of Dr. Derek Shepherd, which ultimately went to Patrick Dempsey. Burke had originally been described as a nebbishy, stout forty-something man. For his portrayal of Dr. Burke, Isaiah was honored by TV Guide Magazine as one of "TV's Sexiest Men" in June 2006, and was named one TV's sexiest doctors in June 2008 on TV Guide's television channel. Prior to the TV Guide honor, Isaiah was named as one of People Magazine's "50 Beautiful People" in May 2006.

Grey's Anatomy controversy

In the show's third season, Washington became a central figure in widely-reported backstage controversy. In October 2006, news reports surfaced that Washington had grabbed co-star Patrick Dempsey by the throat. It was reported that the altercation was prompted by or related to Washington's use of a derogatory epithet toward co-star T. R. Knight and his sexuality. Shortly after the details of the argument became public, Knight publicly disclosed that he is gay. The situation seemed somewhat resolved when Washington issued a statement, apologizing for his "unfortunate use of words during the recent incident on-set."Fact|date=July 2007

The controversy later resurfaced when the cast appeared at the Golden Globes in January 2007. While being interviewed on the red carpet prior to the awards, Washington joked, "I love gay. I wanted to be gay. Please let me be gay."cite web
author = The Associated Press
title = Isaiah Washington: "I Love Gay"
publisher = Access Hollywood
date = 17 January 2007
url = http://www.accesshollywood.com/news/ah3534.shtml
accessdate = 2007-01-17] After the show won Best Drama, Washington, in response to press queries as to any conflicts backstage, said that he had never referred to Knight as a "faggot." However, in an interview with Ellen DeGeneres on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," Knight said that Washington had, in fact, used that particular epithet.cite web
author = The Associated Press
title = T.R. Knight says 'Grey' co-star Isaiah Washington's used slur about him
publisher = The International Herald Tribune
date = 17 January 2007
url = http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/17/arts/NA-A-E-CEL-People-Heigl-Washington.php
accessdate = 2007-02-28]

After being rebuked by his studio, Touchstone Television (now ABC Studios), issued a statement where Washington, again apologizes for using the epithet and stated that he has "asked for help" in "dealing with issues [he] obviously needs to examine within [his] own soul." Fact|date=July 2007 On January 30, 2007, a source told People magazine that Washington was scheduled to return to the "Grey's Anatomy" set as early on that Thursday for the first time since entering "executive counseling" after making a homophobic slur.

Here is his statement: “I apologize to T.R., my colleagues, the fans of the show and especially the lesbian and gay community for using a word that is unacceptable in any context or circumstance. By repeating the word Monday night (a reference to a backstage press conference at the 2007 Golden Globe awards show), I marred what should have been a perfect night for everyone who works on "Grey’s Anatomy." I can neither defend nor explain my behavior. I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I've asked for help. I know the power of words, especially those that demean. I realize that by using one filled with disrespect I have hurt more than T.R. and my colleagues. With one word, I’ve hurt everyone who has struggled for the respect so many of us take for granted. I welcome the chance to meet with leaders of the gay and lesbian community to apologize in person and to talk about what I can do to heal the wounds I’ve opened. T.R.’s courage throughout this entire episode speaks to his tremendous character. I hold his talent, and T.R. as a person, in high esteem. I know a mere apology will not end this, and I intend to let my future actions prove my sincerity." [http://tv.yahoo.com/isaiah-washington/contributor/31576/bio;_ylt=Anh68tXIo2OYJriamRnpizcSz9EF apology statement]

However, on June 7, 2007, ABC announced they had decided not to renew Washington's contract, and that he would be dropped from the show. "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore," Washington said in a statement released by his publicist, borrowing the famous Howard Beale line from "Network". [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Washington Out of `Grey's Anatomy' |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/08/AR2007060800015.html |format= |work=The Washington Post |publisher= |id= |pages= |page= |date=8 June 2007 |accessdate=2007-06-08 |language= |quote= ] In another report, Washington stated he was planning to "spend the summer pursuing charity work in Sierra Leone, work on an independent film and avoid worrying about the show." [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=ABC drops Washington from Grey's Anatomy |url=http://www.cbc.ca/arts/tv/story/2007/06/08/abc-greys-washington.html |work= |publisher=Cbc.ca |date=8 June 2007 |accessdate=2007-06-08] In a subsequent interview, Washington claimed that "they fired the wrong guy" (referring to T.R. Knight) and said he was considering filing a lawsuit as a result. He accused Knight of using the controversy to bolster his own career and increase his salary on "Grey's Anatomy." [ [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4907210.html Grey's star says they fired the wrong guy] , "Houston Chronicle," June 21, 2007]

Washington, in late June 2007, began asserting that racism was a factor in his firing from the series. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/28/AR2007062801918.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/entertainmentnews "Racism was a factor"] ,"Washington Post", June 28, 2007] On July 2, 2007, Washington appeared on "Larry King Live" on CNN, to present his side of the controversy. [For the transcript, see http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0707/02/lkl.01.html] According to Washington, he never used the "F Word" in reference to T.R. Knight, but rather blurted it out in an unrelated context in the course of an argument "provoked" by castmate Patrick Dempsey, who, he felt, was treating him like a "B-word," a "P-word," and the "F-word," which Washington said meant "weak."

Recent work

In July 2007 NBC decided to cast Isaiah Washington as a guest star in a story arc in its new series "Bionic Woman". NBC co-chairman Ben Silverman noted his eagerness to work with Washington saying it would be "like A-Rod leaving the Yankees in midseason." [ [http://www.craveonline.com/filmtv/articles/04648187/isaiah_washington_goes_bionic.html Isaiah Washington goes Bionic] ] Washington himself said that his dismissal from "Grey's Anatomy" was an unfortunate misunderstanding that he is eager to move past. After 6 episodes (out of 8 total) Washington's character was killed off, and "Bionic Woman" was canceled.

African American Lives Series

Washington is of African American descent; although a DNA test done by African Ancestry, Inc. revealed that Washington's maternal ancestry traces back to Sierra Leone, and that he has an ancestral link to the [Mende Temne people] there. In May 2006 he visited Sierra Leone, and received a warm welcome from the local people. His paternal ancestry links him to the Mbundu people, an ethnic group in Angola. [ [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/12/20061214-1.html Isaiah Washington, Master of Ceremonies and Star of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy] ] [ [http://www.superiorpics.com/isaiah_washington/ Superiorpics.com] ]

Charity work

Inspired by his discovery of his direct genetic link to the Mende Temne people of Sierra Leone, Washington, like Oprah Winfrey, has become known for his philanthropy in Africa. In 2007, he founded the Gondobay Manga Foundation, [http://www.gondobaymangafoundation.org/#/home/] which advocates cooperative planning to achieve positive, timely improvements in the lives of the people of Sierra Leone. In May 2006, during a visit to Sierra Leone, Washington was named Chief Gondobay Manga by the Mende people. He later decided to use the name for his non-profit.

In November 2007, Washington and the Gondobay Manga Foundation opened its first school, Chief Foday Golia Memorial School, in the Njala Kendema village for 150 students in grades K-5. The new school replaces two grass huts not suited for occupants. The school was named in honor of the former leader of the Njala Kendema village. In addition to building the school, Washington and the Gondobay Manga Foundation also donated uniforms and school supplies for each student. In March 2007, Washington donated $25,000 to the computer reconstruction project of Bunce Island. At the helm of the project are James Madison University professors Joseph Opala and Gary Chatelain, an historian and a computer artist. Opala and Chatelain are using their expertise to reconstruct the slave castle as it appeared in the year 1805. Their computer image will eventually serve as an educational tool for students and scholars.

Washington was the Master of Ceremoniesthe for the "first" White House Summit on Malaria to fight the war against malaria in 15 African countries. He has also filmed PSAs for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, among others. He is also active in promoting the arts, having hosted the recent 16th Annual Pan-African Film Festival. In addition to The Gondobay Manga Foundation, Washington also works with LA Regional Food Bank to get food to the needy in Los Angeles.

Filmography

Awards and nominations

Image Awards
*2002: Nominated, "Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special" - "Dancing in September"
*2006: Won, "Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series" - "Grey's Anatomy"
*2007: Won, "Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series" - "Grey's Anatomy"

Screen Actors Guild Awards
*2006: Nominated, "Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series" - "Grey's Anatomy"
*2007: Won, "Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series" - "Grey's Anatomy"
*2008: Nominated, "Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series" - "Grey's Anatomy"

References

External links

* [http://www.isaiahwashington.com Official site] - Isaiah Washington
*imdb name|id=0913460|name=Isaiah Washington
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmP20p_Dnqg Isaiah Washington] - The Infamous Moment at the Golden Globes.
* [http://www.gondobaymangafoundation.org The Gondobay Manga Foundation] - The Gondobay Manga Foundation- Making a difference for Sierra Leone and its people.
* [http://www.coalhouseproductions.com Coalhouse Productions] - Coalhouse Productions- Making a difference in Los Angeles
*tv.com person|id=11187|name=Isaiah Washington
* [http://www.craveonline.com/filmtv/articles/04648187/isaiah_washington_goes_bionic.html Isaiah Washington goes Bionic]