Isaiah Washington Speaks His Mind, Laments His Firing to Newsweek
It's a sunny afternoon in Los Angeles, and Isaiah Washington is on the set of the independent film The Least of These, Newsweek reports.
Isaiah Washington plays a priest in the movie, and he's dressed in full-on black on black with a sliver of white at his collar.
He greets his guests with a gentle smile and an extended hand. Sitting in his small trailer filled with the scent of myrrh incense, he seems at peace.
Until he starts talking.
Isaiah Washington can't stop himself from doing what he's been doing a lot lately: explaining away a situation that already cost him a beloved job - and could ultimately cost him much more.
Last fall, Washington, by his own admission, picked a fight with Patrick Dempsey, one his co-stars on the ABC hospital drama Grey's Anatomy.
Fighting with a co-worker is never smart, but Washington took it further by using an offensive term to refer to a gay cast member, T.R. Knight, during the altercation.
"Patrick and I had a philosophical disagreement that got out of hand and that I regret a great deal," Isaiah Washington says.
"I said a lot of negative things that were never reported, but there was one word that caught everyone's attention, particularly someone who wasn't even in the room with us. It was a fight between two men that shouldn't have happened. But someone heard the booming voice of a black man and got really scared and that was the beginning of the end for me. I see that now, but I didn't then."
But that's not the end of the tale.
When the cast was celebrating at the Golden Globes in January, a reporter asked about the altercation, and about Washington's anti-gay comment. Washington took the mic to defend himself â" and used the slur again. Once may have been a slip of the tongue, but twice? The public got angry.
Earlier this month, ABC did not offer Washington a new contract for the show's fourth season, which begins filming this summer.
Washington has expressed bitterness about the situation, especially since he did everything the network asked to atone for his mistakes.
"I apologized and showed my remorse for what I said and for the pain I caused anyone," says Washington.
"If a black man can't get forgiveness in this country, when so many other people like Robert Downey Jr. and the governor of California get second and third chances ... I think that says a lot about race and where we stand."
ABC asked Washington to go to rehab to deal with his alleged homophobia, which he did; he says he even paid half the fee.
"I thought them sending me meant they actually wanted me to succeed and come out on the other end," he says. Yet Washington now says that his counseling - or "homophobia reprogramming" - wasn't exactly what it seemed.
"There is no rehab for homophobia â" that was just some crap being put out by the network," he says.
"I went into an executive counseling program which many people in this industry know about and go to. They knew what the program was but chose to call it what they wanted to fit an agenda. More importantly, I volunteered for it because I wanted to understand my fight with Patrick and how it got out of hand like that. I wanted to know what I could do to avoid it happening again."
ABC declined to comment.
Shortly after the second incident in January, cast member T.R. Knight appeared on The Ellen Degeneres Show and said he felt he had no choice but to admit he was gay after Washington's fight on set.
Washington has said that Knight fueled the flames of the situation to advance his own career. No cast member has spoken to the media since Washington's firing.
Washington is no stranger to anger.
He has somewhat of a reputation in the film industry for lashing out at others while working and for also speaking his mind with no fear of consequences. A few years back, he had a confrontation with Tracey Edmonds, an African-American producer of the Showtime program "Soul Food."
Washington chalks up those previous incidents to an artist's temperament. "I have a mind of my own and I do speak it when I feel it's right," he says. "In this business that's considered being difficult and hard to deal with. A lot of actors face this and it does hurt you with work and in the future jobs. It's a price you pay though for doing the projects you want and making things turn out the way you want. I have an opinion and that should be valued by my employer."
Washington's use of the "F" word seems surprising, given that he portrayed a gay character in Spike Lee's 1996 Get On the Bus â" and wrote an essay condemning homophobia in the black community a few years back.
One thing that's also been lost with so much focus on Washington is the sad reality of homophobia in the black community. From rap music to Eddie Murphy jokes, insensitivity to homosexuals seems to be a mainstay of African-American culture.
"Growing up in the South, I wasn't exposed to as many different lifestyles and personalities as I could have been. That's always a problem, because the more you're exposed, clearly the more you know and understand," Washington says.
"My mother had several cross-dressing friends who she sometimes referred to with names I'd never use, but she didn't know any better. There was no hate, just lack of awareness."
Washington has spent untold sums of money tracing his roots back to the small nation of Sierra Leone, where he is currently funding the building of a five-room school for village children. That sort of work might seem to contrast with his harsh comments. But if Washington is conflicted, he doesn't see it that way.
"People who know me know what's really in my heart," said Washington. "That is what's hurt me so much with all this. I was doing what I'm doing in Africa for years â" before Angelina and Bono. But I've worked at homeless shelters for years and given money to make sure people knew they didn't have to be hungry or the street. I have shared my blessings, but all that changed when this happened and it's truly heartbreaking for me."
The actor, who is traveling to Ghana along with Jamie Foxx, Chris Tucker and Forest Whitaker to recognize the end of slavery there 200 years ago next week, also feels that race played a part in his public flogging and eventual firing.
"Well, it didn't help me on the set that I was a black man who wasn't a mush-mouth Negro walking around with his head in his hands all the time. I didn't speak like I'd just left the plantation and that can be a problem for people sometime," he says.
"I had a person in human resources tell me after this thing played out that 'some people' were afraid of me around the studio. I asked her why, because I'm a 6-foot-1, black man with dark skin and who doesn't go around saying âYessah, massa sir' and âNo sir, massa' to everyone? It's nuts when your presence alone can just scare people, and that made me a prime candidate to take the heat in a dysfunctional family."
In conclusion, does Isaiah Washington have any regrets now that a chapter of his life is now closed?
"My mistake was believing that I would get the support from my network and all of my cast mates across the board. My mistake was believing I could correct a wrong with honesty and sincerity. My mistake was thinking black people get second chances," he says. "I was wrong on all fronts.
June 28th, 2007 3:38 PM
It sounds to me like Isaiah needs to go back to that executive counseling program and work on anger management.
June 28th, 2007 3:50 PM
OMG it's so pathetic IW is now acting like the sad black man, who is being mistreated just because he's coloured.. Nobody cares, the only one making a big deal out of it is him!
At first I thought it was a shame ABC decided to let him go, but after all that's happened and everything he said, I think it serves him right.. What a jerk..
June 28th, 2007 4:37 PM
Knight needs to take into consideration that if you choose to live a different lifestyle - you must be man enough to accept that not everybody can accept it. Grow up! I am a big fan of Grey's but - if Burke(Isaiah) doesn't come back and if they make Christine a lesbian to appease Knight - - I will quit watching the show as well as quite a number of people that I know! The network is making a HUGE mistake - Burke is crutial to the cast - - George and Izzie aren't. I mean come on - Izzie you only knew Dennie a short time - - and YOU killed him - - grow up - spend some money and quit whining!
June 28th, 2007 4:41 PM
Unfortunately, I believe IW is correct. There is still a double standard in this country. No matter how far we think this country as progressed, we haven't
June 28th, 2007 5:39 PM
Memo to Isaiah: This isn't about you being black. This is about you being an idiot. If you were a white idiot, you'd still be an idiot, and your white ass would be just as fired as your black ass. Has it occured to you that maybe that HR rep told you people were afraid you, not because of your skin colour, but, uhm, just a wild guess here, BECAUSE YOU'RE A LUNATIC???!!!
June 28th, 2007 5:39 PM
My own personal opinion is that he wasn't a team player and appeared to be quite the instigator. He dished it out and this is the consequences. Move on. Race has nothing to do w/it. More like a lack of tact.
June 28th, 2007 5:47 PM
I'll say it here like I said it in my blog, all I hear is, "whine whine whine RACE CARD."
I'm officially glad ABC canned his stupid ass.
June 28th, 2007 5:51 PM
Ugh, now he's just being ridiculous and sounding as if he's just trying to get people riled up.
Black men DO get second chances, a**holes don't!
June 28th, 2007 6:08 PM
what if t.k. had used the "n" word in a heated argument to refer to washington? i wonder how washington would respond to that. i doubt there would be a forgiving tone. i honestly can't believe how ignorant washington is here! minorities should respect one another and at least acknowledge that all minorities, gays, racial minorities, women etc etc etc all have hardships and should support one another. completely unprofessional. fire him!
June 28th, 2007 6:15 PM
Thank you Cat, gypsydance, emma, and Julia....and anyone else who sees that he is trying to turn the tables and make himself the victim here
June 28th, 2007 6:33 PM
Hilarious and predictable...We all knew it wouldnt be long he would be throwing the race card...this man is taking up precious oxygen...shut up already!
June 28th, 2007 7:09 PM
He sounds like a raving lunatic!
June 28th, 2007 8:14 PM
Whitney - you took the words right out of my mouth!!! If the situation was turned, you know there would be hell from everywhere. I'm sorry, but I'm so sick of the race card - the man has ISSUES with anger managment, and speaking as a masters student in counseling, he NEEDS to go into a REAL therapy session and deal with it. A respectable man doesn't need to lash out with words of anger just so he can bask in the spotlight a little longer. Crawl back into the hole you came out of buddy. Lord knows I won't miss you or your extreme ignorance.
June 28th, 2007 8:37 PM
You know it took him a lot longer to pull out the race card then I thought it would. When this all started I thought for sure he would say it was cause he's black from the very beginning.
I think it's funny that the more he talks the more he buries himself. He's basically ruining his own career. And to put it simply to a homosexual man calling them a f****t is the equivalent to calling a black man a n****r. Had T.R. called him the n-word in a fight or had he even said the n-word in a fight with someone else T.R. would be the one without a job now. He can make all the excuses he wants but I think he's an ass****. He's basically saying that he really has no regrets about using a derogatory word nor does he care that he offended people because when he apologized and did all those other things it was simply to save his job. Haha! I'm glad you got fired then, you ass!
June 28th, 2007 8:55 PM
What i just dont understand, is how he keeps arguing that it was tr who fired this whole situation up. If he wanted to fire it up, we would be hearing a lot more from him. We've heard nothing really, except the ellen interview (which was admitedly, critical timing). Still - if tr wanted to play this all out, im sure the media would love the juicy info. But hes not. I'm not saying hes innocent, but atleast hes trying to avoid the negative media right now.
Instead, its IW whos going to all these different entertainment sources, and complaining. He goes and says he doesnt want to encite a war and wants to move on, but then he keeps sparking up all these controversial issues and connecting them to his release from the show. First it was all tr's big "conspiracy"... now its race. What next?
You know what, im past the point of caring how everything got started. I just want this to be finished, and hes not letting it go. The mature thing to do would be to move on. Instead hes just reached a pathetic point. Im not denying the fact that racism exists, but its also safe to say that GA has one of the most racially diverse casts on television right now.
I admit, i was a little sad when i heard he was fired. But now hes just proving why he was let go. Hes coming across as a very difficult person. Like he said, he's no longer gagged by Disney. He can let us know how he truely feels. If all of these various rants are his true character, I can see why ABC would want him gone. He's making the same mistake twice. First, he used the same offensive term to deny its original use. Now, hes using the same poor character to argue against ABCs reasoning for firing him.
June 28th, 2007 8:59 PM
WOW
need i say more?
June 28th, 2007 9:02 PM
actually, i do need to say more.
Thank you Chelsey, I tried to say what you said in the "Larry King/IW" comment thing and I got a response of "are you daft?". I can't agree with you more.
June 28th, 2007 9:25 PM
Memo to Cat, if you are not Black you have no idea how much race entered into this.
June 28th, 2007 9:29 PM
Chelsey- a big yeah that! to your comment! I agree with you.
No matter whos right or wrong in this whole situation, IW needs to shut up about the whole thing and move on! Build a bridge or something. sheesh!
June 28th, 2007 9:36 PM
Reguarding the firing of Isaiah Washington, I am deeply saddened by this. Grey's Anatomy will not be the same without Dr.Preston Burke. The character was truely unique and amazing to watch. I enjoyed tuning in each week to seeing what else Dr.Burke would be doing, new operations,etc.
However, what Isaiah Washington has been saying is very disappointing. I am a huge fan of his and in disbelief at throwing in the race card.
I still remain a fan of Isaiah Washington's even though he's been misunderstood about the whole homomsexual thing. Not everyone is comfortable with the lifestyle and should be able to say that without fear of retribution.
In conclusion, I don't know if I'll be continuing to tune in with the permanet absence of my favorite character.
Missing Isaiah Washington and Dr. Preston Burke forever.
June 28th, 2007 9:45 PM
You're right Chelsey. Knight had nothing to do with it. He just happened to go to the press and come out of the closet days after the conflict between Isaiah and Patrick that he wasn't even there to hear. The press somehow got the idea that Isaiah called TR that word, even though it never happened. When Isaiah tried to clear up the misunderstanding at the Golden Globes, TR went on Ellen and lied about the entire event to keep the sympathy coming. Actually most of it wasn't lies it was simply implications. Ellen: "So you heard Isaiah call you the slur." TR: "It is such a powerful word." He didn't say yes, he just didn't answer and went on to imply that her statement was true even though it was not what happened. Of course he had nothing to do with getting Isaiah fired. Silly Isaiah. Silly fans of Isaiah. Amazing how suddently George became the big heterosexual magnet on GA after this event. Poor broken Callie from so much sex and how impressed was Izzie when she saw him naked. Within weeks she completely forgot the love of her life, Denny Duquette and is now deeply and lastingly in love with, yes, you guessed it, George. Obviously none of Isaiah's statements about TR using this for his own purposes to advance his career and play up his role on the show happened. Right? Right. Isaiah had the audacity to argue loudly with Patrick Dempsey. For that he was sorry, apologized, and sought help. All of the rest of the nonsense that has been shouted from the internet blogs was pure unadulterated lies that was orchestrated by TR Knight for his own selfish purposes. Patrick and Isaiah got over their differences and respected each other as colleagues and cast mates. Both have said so in interview. It is the lies and misrepresentations of TR that were blown out of proportion by the media that has led to Isaiah's firing. He has every right to set the record straight. By the way, the article is incorrect when it says no cast member has spoken to the media since Isaiah was fired. That is simply not true. Patrick, James Pickens, Jr., Kate Walsh, Eric Dane, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan have all spoken to the press and expressed sadness and disappointment. We all read Ellen Pompeo's comments. TR has been quiet. Of course. His work is done. He accomplished what he set out to do.
June 28th, 2007 10:16 PM
It looks like Isaiah may have some anger management issues that he needs to deal with, but that's it. I'm tired of people acting as if being gay is equivelent to race, religion, another minority. It's not! If people want to be nasty that's between them and God. People need to stop trying to force homosexuality on those that don't believe in it. They need to stop forcing us to accept it as everyday normal. It is not! God does not approve and neither do I. I wouldn't refer to someone as a faggot. But it's because I wouldn't call them a name period. It's just another word for PUNK, no big deal! It's no different than calling someone ugly or stupid or fat. Those are ugly words to say to someone. Those words are more of a big deal than faggot, Oh excuse me, "the f word" If Isaiah got fired for anger issues, fine, I accept that. I'm moving on! But, this gay thing is not worth it, not important enough. Gays don't have rights like race and religion or even handicap. I'm not here to bagger gays. I just have a problem with IW being let go for something immoral and against family values. Next thing you know they are going to want to legalize sodomy between grown men and little boys. And dare us to say anything about it. Are we going to lose our jobs commenting on that too?
June 28th, 2007 10:18 PM
Like many others have said IW needs get over it! He's ruining his own career each time he opens his mouth. I don't think this ever had anything to do with race
June 28th, 2007 10:29 PM
There's nothing Isaiah Washington could do or say that would make me lose interest in him except rape someone, find out he's a petophile, or leave his wife for some skank. Anything that brings about shame on our family values, that's when I bail on him.
June 28th, 2007 11:38 PM
"Im not denying the fact that racism exists, but its also safe to say that GA has one of the most racially diverse casts on television right now"
I totally agree Chelsey, I thought this as well. Half the cast is African American, which is great - I love the diversity. Maybe there is more going on outside of Grey's, and it's more with ABC. Either way though, he needs to stop talking to the press about it.