Back in 2016, Denzel Washington directed an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, and a couple of months ago, Grey Anatomy’s star Ellen Pompeo spoke about the experience and said she clashed with Washington during filming.
Washington was asked about the incident during a sitdown with Variety where the icon spoke about his new film The Tragedy of Macbeth and the now-infamous alleged encounter with Pompeo.
As reported by Entertainment Weekly, Pompeo said on her Tell Me with Ellen Pompeo podcast, “I was like, ‘Look at me when you apologize. Look at me [to Dempsey]. And that wasn’t in the dialogue. And Denzel went ham on my ass. He was like, ‘I’m the director. Don’t you tell him what to do.'”
I was like, ‘Listen, motherf***er, this is my show,'” Pompeo continued. “This is my set. Who are you telling?”
Washington responds to Ellen Pompeo's 'Grey's Anatomy' story
After Ellen Pompeo described her outburst on set that was triggered by Denzel she clarified that no other incidents happened after that and that sometimes actors get fiery and passionate. It’s still kind of wild that she had the gall to apparently call out a legend like Washington.
“So, we didn’t get through it without a fight, but that’s actors for you,” Pompeo added. “Passionate and fiery and that’s where you get the magic, and that’s where you get the good stuff. So, it was an amazing experience, it really was.”
The Tragedy of Macbeth star was asked about the verbal scuffle and he side-stepped the question. saying: “No, no,” he says, claiming that he doesn’t recall that day. Then, with a slight grin, he added, “But it’s all good.”
He clearly did not want to get into detail about the incident but pretty much acknowledged the situation in his own way, moving the conversation along, while not giving anything away.
His new directorial output 'A Journal For Jordan' is in theaters now
Washington is not only staring in The Tragedy of Macbeth, but he also directed the recent film, A Journal For Jordan, which stars Michael B. Jordan.
He has quite the catalog of movies that he has directed…but is it possible that his episode of Grey’s Anatomy probably was the most dramatic production he’s helmed?
The Tragedy of Macbeth is in theaters now and will be available to stream on Apple TV+ on Jan. 14.