Denzel Washington launches August Wilson House renovation
Actor Denzel Washington sits for an interview with Malachi Haynes and Fox News Anchor Chris Wallace at the National Press Club in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018. Boys & Girls Clubs of America has named Malachi Haynes the Southwest Youth of the Year. Image: AP/Andrew Harnik
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Actor Denzel Washington has helped mark the start of renovations at playwright August Wilson’s childhood home in Pittsburgh.
The Tribune-Review reports Washington headlined a ceremony at the house Wednesday. The actor led a $5 million fundraising effort to restore it. Renovations are to be completed in 2020, when the August Wilson House is to become a center for art and culture.
Washington directed a 2016 movie production of “Fences”, filmed the movie in Pittsburgh and plans to film other Wilson plays. He won a Tony in 2010 for his portrayal of protagonist Troy Maxson in the Broadway revival of “Fences”.
Paul Ellis, Wilson’s nephew, spearheaded the effort to restore the building to its 1950s-era look, matching how it appeared when Wilson lived there with his mother and five siblings.
Wilson died in 2005. CC
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