One of the most endearing scenes in a movie for me is in Richard Gere and Julia Roberts' "Pretty Woman" movie. Just as Julia's Character walks into Hollywood Boulevard, you can hear a black man walking across the street saying, "This is Hollywood, welcome to Hollywood. Everybody that comes to Hollywood has a dream. What's your dream, Mister? What's your dream?"

There's no doubt whatsoever that many young aspiring actors dream of going to Hollywood and making it big as a movie or television star. To have one's name emblazoned on the cinema billboard or on the silver screen is the stuff of dreams for most actors. Some just want their names on the credit list, no matter how small a part they have to play.

So, imagine what it must feel like to be one of the most sought-after A-list actors in Hollywood; or better still, imagine being Denzel Washington! Without a doubt, the name Denzel Washington is a global household name. With over 22 movies of which the majority have been blockbusters; it is difficult not to recognize that name.

With movies such as 'Training Day', 'Man On Fire', 'The Equalizer', 'Malcolm X', 'The Hurricane' and many other high grossing movies to his credit; Denzel stands tall in Hollywood revered as a blockbuster guaranteed actor.

Of his 22 movies spanning a career of over 40 years, Denzel has played all kinds of roles and won all kinds of awards from the Golden Globe Awards to the American Academy Awards, popularly called the Oscars for His film portrayals.

In particular, this quintessential actor has excelled at portraying real-life characters such as Steve Biko in 'Cry Freedom', 1987; Civil right activist and Muslim Minister, Malcolm X in 'Malcolm X', 1992; Boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter in "The Hurricane", 1999; football coach Herman Boone in "Remember the Titans" 2000; Melvin B. Tolson in "The Great Debaters" 2007, and as drug kingpin Frank Lucas in "American Gangster", 2007.

So, how does a black kid born in Mount Vernon, New York on December 28, 1958, survive the many pitfalls that were commonly the doom of black young kids of his generation to an actor that has received international critical acclaim for his movies? Denzel credits his mother's decision to send him to Oakland Military Academy at New Windsor, New York, as the turning point in his life, otherwise, he is certain that he would have ended up like most of his childhood friends who have served a combined jail term of over 40 years since then.

Though Denzel Washington has been recognized several times in the course of his acting career with several awards which include Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, NAACP Awards, and a Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievements Award at the 73rd Golden Globe Awards; one can be certain that this cinematic enigma is by no means done.

Denzel's glittering career is still on the upward trajectory as he is still a bankable A-list Hollywood actor and an award-winning director has made his directorial debut with the movie 'Atwone Fisher' in 2002 and has since directed other movies including 'The Great Debaters' 2007, 'Fences', 2016, co-starring with Viola Davids who went on to win her first Oscar as Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards, while the film itself was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Picture.

A devoutly religious man, Denzel Washington has been contributing to the welfare of humanity both on and off the screen with his star power; inspiring a new generation of young actors, especially of those of African-American descent.

At the end of the movie, "Pretty Woman", the street man continues his monologue by saying, "Everybody that comes to Hollywood has a dream; some dreams come true, some dreams don't. But keep on dreaming, Mister, keeping on dreaming!"

There's no doubt that Denzel Washington's dreams came true and aren't we so lucky to have seen this cinematic Star Power in our own time?