Movie icon Denzel Washington covers the latest issue of The Hollywood Reporter where he reveals how he has remained relevant and successful all these years.

In the November 2012 issue of The Hollywood Reporter, veteran actor Denzel Washington reflects on his entry into Hollywood in 1982 with "St. Elsewhere" and reveals how he's remained relevant for over 30 years. And with his film Flight already getting critical acclaim, there indeed more from Denzy to come. Here are the highlights:

On not giving into "Hollywood vices" during his career:

In a 1986 article with Essence, he said, “I made a commitment to completely cut out drinking and anything that might hamper me from getting my mind and body together. And the floodgates of goodness have opened upon me — spiritually and financially.” He's amended that statement recent to say he only semi-given up drinking.

On spirituality in his life:

Denzel says he reads the Bible daily and is currently reading the Psalms. He enjoys Psalm 56, which contains the line: “Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; the fighting daily oppresseth me.”

On Hollywood's and roles for Black women:

He says Hollywood is much tougher for black women than black men. “And the darker the woman, definitely. But then it’s all relative: The 40-year-old whatever-color woman says, ‘Well, you know, the 30-year-old is getting all the jobs.’”

On supporting President Obama

He gave the Obama campaign $2,300 four years ago and he says he was invited to play basketball with the President but didn’t because “my knees are shot.”

On letting his mother call the shots:

He says he brought in his mother, Lennis, to negotiate a deal with Harvey Weinstein when they couldn’t come to terms for Denzel’s directing debut, Antwone Fisher. He said his mother did the deal with Weinstein’s.

On gay marriage:

“I have my own beliefs, and I keep them to myself.”

On Tony Scott, who had directed five Washington films, committing suicide Aug. 19.

“I was shocked by his death. I’m still shocked. If you had given me a list of 25 people, I don’t think I’d have picked him. You don’t know. You just don’t know. You don’t know what’s inside a man’s head.”

Denzil is a very classy man who has remained out of scandal his whole career.....