Delroy Lindo Opens Up to Denzel Washington About His Early Career, Food Struggles, and Collaborating with Ryan Coogler
Denzel Washington hosted his inaugural movie screening for Ryan Coogler’s film Sinners on Thursday night at the Harmony Gold theater. Known for his avoidance of mainstream pop culture, Washington’s event marked a notable occasion in his career.
At the beginning of the panel discussion, Washington prompted the audience to stand and applaud Delroy Lindo, underscoring the significance of their nearly fifty-year friendship that began at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. While the two have shared the screen only once—in Malcolm X—both actors have independently collaborated with director Spike Lee in several notable projects, including Da 5 Bloods and Mo’ Better Blues.
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Reflecting on their early years, Washington humorously recounted the two key lessons he learned from Lindo: the essentials of sustenance—“a loaf of wheat bread, a jar of honey, and a jar of peanut butter”—and the importance of acting with depth. He noted, “I remember back in school, Delroy did this scene and they had no notes for him—but they had notes for me. I thought I was pretty good. But then I saw Delroy, and was like ‘Whoa, OK, I have to go home and work.’ It’s so cliché, but he’s one of the finest actors. There’s a purity to Delroy. His discipline, attention to detail, and spirit stand out. I began to understand that’s what I was trying to figure out—there’s a foundation, purity, honesty, and integrity that’s undeniable.”
The pair’s connection has deepened with Coogler’s involvement, as it has been reported that Washington will take on a role in the upcoming Black Panther 3.
During the conversation, Washington credited Coogler’s ability to assemble a talented cast to his “shy and sweet” nature. Lindo echoed this sentiment, describing Coogler’s charm as his “people’s touch,” which he retains despite his success. “He’s still a regular dude from Oakland,” Lindo added, “and he maintains that demeanor. That’s why he’s so relatable.”
In Sinners, Lindo portrays Delta Slim, a talented blues musician who grapples with the hardships of life in the Jim Crow South. Washington inquired about Lindo’s attraction to the script, noting how the character, burdened by adversity, also serves as a father figure in the film. Lindo responded, “I knew from reading the script that [Ryan] was using the [horror] genre to tell a much larger story. It’s not a horror film; it has horrific elements, but it’s about something bigger.”
Lindo later shared with Washington the importance of collaborating with Coogler to add depth to his character. “He introduces Delta Slim so brilliantly, but I told Ryan that he falls off in the second act. Ryan heard me and said that we could work on that,” Lindo stated. “Working with Ryan is a dream. He’s incredibly collaborative. He values input from everyone, including the cast and crew. While he may not always use what you suggest, he genuinely wants to hear it.”
