Denzel Washington was emotional Wednesday night on the Late Show With Stephen Colbert as he remembered his late mother, who died in June at the age of 97.
During the interview, Colbert mentioned a quote Washington said about a boy’s first love is his mother, and the host asked the actor how he keeps her memory alive through his work. The Oscar award winner was overwhelmed with tears as he shared some of his memorable moments, according to Yahoo! entertainment.
“A mother is a son’s, first true love. A son, especially that first son, is a mother’s last true love,” Washington began. “That’s… I’m getting choked up. Sorry.”
He added, “I don’t know if I was her favorite. I gave her the hardest time. I can tell you that.”
Washington, 66, who stars in the new Joel Coen film The Tragedy of Macbeth, recalls his mother being one of his biggest supporters. He said she was there for everything throughout his life and career, but “she went home,” the actor said before asking Colbert for a tissue.
The interview captured the hearts of many who were watching at home and tweeted their reactions on Twitter.
#DenzelWashington #Colbert
The Barbra Walters interview
😥— Not me (@zcat03) December 16, 2021
One user said, “Crying with Denzel Washington tonight was not something I had on my agenda.”
Crying with Denzel Washington tonight was not something I had on my agenda
— jan⁷ (@mygnyam) (@mygnyams) December 16, 2021
TONIGHT: Denzel Washington opens up about losing his mother this year, at age 97. #LSSC pic.twitter.com/ODr0kqwlry
— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) December 16, 2021
After taking some time to get himself together, the American Gangster actor told Colbert that he didn’t cry at his mother’s funeral. When the host asked him the reasoning behind it, his answer lightened the mood, Yahoo reported.
“I don’t know. I guess I saved it up for you,” Washington said, laughing through tears. “For crying out loud!”
Washington chose the best person to share personal stories with, considering Colbert lost his father and two of his older brothers in a plane crash when he was ten years old, and his mother died in 2013.
As Washington closed the interview, he encouraged everyone to “Hug them, love them,” while loved ones are still alive to receive that love. Colbert simply added, “I know it well.”
The John Q. actor has been married to his wife Pauletta Washington for 34 years and father to actor John David Washington.
