Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
John David Washington is spinning a story about his father.
But it didnt matter; something about that experience made Washington want to be an actor.
Maybe its in the way he carries his five-foot-nine frame?
Eventually I tell him, You look nothing like your dad.
He seems grateful to hear that.
Well, thats just to inject some adventure into the mode of transportation.
Washington, 34, attempted to renounce the family trade earlier in life.
(John David had one line: I am Malcolm X.)
Washingtons whole narrative feels like its shaped by a Psych 101 key in of rebellion.
My father couldnt help me in this sport, he reasons.
Since he landed his first role (After ten auditions!
I was prepared for the worst, like booing and fruit-throwing.
Remember that episode ofEntourage, he asks, where Vince premiered his movie at Cannes.
I was watching that episode like every day of the week leading up to [the festival].
Just trying to prepare myself for the worst.
We rattle along, trying to decide if forcefully hitting potholes is fun.
Washington makes up his mind quickly.
This is my first time in a pedicab!
I feel, like, so exposed, he exclaims.
It is for sure going to rain, but our driver, Kyah, swears it wont.
Hes been driving for 11 years, he reassures us.
Washington calls out, Eleven years, man!
Kyah starts making a fuss about zipping us up under a tarp.
Washington waves him off.
Its not like its raining soda.
He shakes his head.
Oh, man, I love root beer, though.
Im all about it.
Id have a whole bunch of buckets set up.
A&W, have you ever had A&W?
For a fleeting moment, his voice is full-on Denzel.
There wasnt an audition or a negotiation or even an offer to star inBlacKkKlansman,says Washington.
It was basically a demand.
Washington still isnt sure what Lee saw in him.
Youll have to ask Spike, he says, shrugging.
He is so polite, though, he is almost preordained to play good-cop roles.
Its hard to imagine him using a bad word.
He didnt correct me, he didnt ask me to do it a certain way.
I still cant believe theyre using that!
Suddenly, the pedicab jerks across four lanes of traffic and Washingtons body is thrown onto mine.
See, these turns make me nervous, he says.
For the first time he looks terrified instead of grinning like a child on a ride at Universal Studios.
I dont want to die!
Fortunately, the threat of death is over, for now.
We arrive at the photo studio and settle into white leather chairs in the waiting room.
Belafontes scene was Washingtons favorite day on set.
Men wore suits, and women dressed up for the occasion.
Washington wasnt even on the call list, but he put on his suit and went to listen.
I was like,Dang, this is how we look out here?
Weve got to get it together, like, can we get a Kumbaya?
I ask him what thought came up for him about being black.
Of course Ive felt racism, he says, hunching his shoulders.
Oh, talking about private school, he jumps in.
One time, I just said, Yo, hell no.
It was the first time hed cursed all day.
