Pauletta Washington Reacts to Denzel Washington's Sexiest Man at Every Age Title: 'I Agree!'

Mar. 15, 2025

Pauletta Washington and Denzel Washington on Nov. 18, 2024.Photo:LISA O’CONNOR/AFP via Getty

LISA O’CONNOR/AFP via Getty

Pauletta Washingtonis all forDenzel Washington’s inclusion in PEOPLE’sSexiest Man Aliveissue!When Pauletta, 74, and Denzel, 69, spoke withEntertainment Tonightat the Los Angeles premiere ofGladiator IIon Monday, Nov. 18, the pair admitted they were not aware Denzel was named among dozens of celebrities who remain sexy at any age.“Is that like at 5 and 7 as well? 3 months old?” Denzel quipped when asked the honor.“I just heard it just now. I agree!” Pauletta added when asked for her reaction, making Denzel laugh in the process.Denzel, of course, was namedPEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Aliveback in 1996, 13 years after Pauletta married the two-timeAcademy Award-winning actor in June 1983. The couple first met on the set of Denzel’s first movie, the 1977 filmWilma, but did not actually start getting to know each other until they connected at a mutual friend’s party months later.Pauletta Washington and Denzel Washington on March 24, 2002.Vince Bucci/GettyThe couple are now parents tofour children— actorJohn David, 40, film producer Katia, 36, and twins Malcolm and Olivia, 33. Nearly the entire Washington family were involved in Netflix’s new adaptation of the August Wilson playThe Piano Lesson, which sees John David costar with family friendSamuel L. Jacksonand Malcolm direct in his feature directorial debut; Katia and Denzel count among the film’s producers.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“No, it hasn’t been a ploy, but I’m very happy about it,” Pauletta told ET at theGladiator IIpremiere, when asked ifThe Piano Lesson’sproduction was a “ploy” to get the entire family together more often.Pauletta Washington and Denzel Washington on Jan. 11, 2010.Alberto E. Rodriguez/GettyDenzel and Pauletta celebrated their 41st marriage anniversary earlier this year. While they supportedThe Piano Lessonat the 2024Toronto International Film Festivalin September, Pauletta told PEOPLE that “there is no secret” to the couple’s successful marriage.“We work at it. It’s work. It’s not that you sit there and you go like, ‘Oh, you know…' " she said at the time. “There are a lot of prayers for strength for staying in a forgiveness mode and both parts, mine and his.But it’s the basic love that we have for each other.”Other celebrities in their 60s featured in this year’s Sexiest Man Alive issue along with Washington includeGraham Norton, Esai Morales,Tom Ford,Stanley Tucci,Flavor Flav,Vince Gill,Andy Garcia,Kevin BaconandJon Taffer.Gladiator IIis in theaters Nov. 22, andThe Piano Lessonbegins streaming on Netflix the same day.

Pauletta Washingtonis all forDenzel Washington’s inclusion in PEOPLE’sSexiest Man Aliveissue!

When Pauletta, 74, and Denzel, 69, spoke withEntertainment Tonightat the Los Angeles premiere ofGladiator IIon Monday, Nov. 18, the pair admitted they were not aware Denzel was named among dozens of celebrities who remain sexy at any age.

“Is that like at 5 and 7 as well? 3 months old?” Denzel quipped when asked the honor.

“I just heard it just now. I agree!” Pauletta added when asked for her reaction, making Denzel laugh in the process.

Denzel, of course, was namedPEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Aliveback in 1996, 13 years after Pauletta married the two-timeAcademy Award-winning actor in June 1983. The couple first met on the set of Denzel’s first movie, the 1977 filmWilma, but did not actually start getting to know each other until they connected at a mutual friend’s party months later.

Pauletta Washington and Denzel Washington on March 24, 2002.Vince Bucci/Getty

Vince Bucci/Getty

The couple are now parents tofour children— actorJohn David, 40, film producer Katia, 36, and twins Malcolm and Olivia, 33. Nearly the entire Washington family were involved in Netflix’s new adaptation of the August Wilson playThe Piano Lesson, which sees John David costar with family friendSamuel L. Jacksonand Malcolm direct in his feature directorial debut; Katia and Denzel count among the film’s producers.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“No, it hasn’t been a ploy, but I’m very happy about it,” Pauletta told ET at theGladiator IIpremiere, when asked ifThe Piano Lesson’sproduction was a “ploy” to get the entire family together more often.

Pauletta Washington and Denzel Washington on Jan. 11, 2010.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Denzel and Pauletta celebrated their 41st marriage anniversary earlier this year. While they supportedThe Piano Lessonat the 2024Toronto International Film Festivalin September, Pauletta told PEOPLE that “there is no secret” to the couple’s successful marriage.

“We work at it. It’s work. It’s not that you sit there and you go like, ‘Oh, you know…' " she said at the time. “There are a lot of prayers for strength for staying in a forgiveness mode and both parts, mine and his.But it’s the basic love that we have for each other.”

Other celebrities in their 60s featured in this year’s Sexiest Man Alive issue along with Washington includeGraham Norton, Esai Morales,Tom Ford,Stanley Tucci,Flavor Flav,Vince Gill,Andy Garcia,Kevin BaconandJon Taffer.

Gladiator IIis in theaters Nov. 22, andThe Piano Lessonbegins streaming on Netflix the same day.

source: people.com