Denzel Washington is widely considered one of the most influential actors in Hollywood, and his impact on the representation of African-Americans in film and television has been tremendous. Throughout his career, Washington has sought to portray African-Americans in a positive and dignified light, and he has consistently chosen roles that challenge and defy traditional stereotypes. Washington’s breakout role was in the crime drama “Devil in a Blue Dress” (1995), where he played a detective investigating a mysterious woman in 1950s Los Angeles. The role was groundbreaking at the time, as Washington was the first African-American to lead a major crime drama in over a decade. His performance was critically acclaimed and earned him an Academy Award nomination. Since then, Washington has become one of the most successful actors in Hollywood, appearing in numerous award-winning films such as “Training Day” (2001), “American Gangster” (2007), and “Fences” (2016). He has also starred in and directed several films that deal with issues of race, such as “The Great Debaters” (2007), “Flight” (2012), and “Fences” (2016). Washington’s consistent presence in Hollywood has helped to redefine the way African-Americans are portrayed on screen. His performances often highlight the complexities of African-American life, and he has worked to portray characters with a range of emotions and motivations. By doing so, Washington has helped to broaden the representation of African-Americans in Hollywood and has helped to create more nuanced and three-dimensional roles. Overall, Denzel Washington’s influence on Hollywood’s representation of African-Americans has been immense. His performances have consistently challenged traditional stereotypes and have helped to create more complex and realistic portrayals of African-Americans on screen. As a result, Washington has had a major impact on how African-Americans are represented in Hollywood and has helped to create more positive and realistic portrayals of the African-American experience.