Born in Houston, Washington was raised in Missouri City, Texas, a suburb of the Houston area.
Washington's mother was actually the first African-American woman in Texas to receive her barbers license. He wasn't even aware of his mother's accomplishment until he found the papers later on in life.
But at the age of 13, tragedy struck Washington's life when his biological father was murdered.
"I caught it on the 5 o'clock news just before Marvin Zindler came on Channel 13. I will never forget that day," Washington told Jones on Monday.
"It was during the summer in 1976. I was 13 and the only reason why I remember that was I heard the name Isaiah Washington was murdered on Lucky Street. I was in front of the television and no one had told me. I remember my step-father kind of hovering in the back because I went into this shock zone. I remember the good things about my father. The smell of cigarettes and whiskey on his breath, which, that kind of mixture seemed pleasant. The memory I have of him was very compassionate and very strong." Washington said.
Hearing more about Washington's childhood gives better insight on why the actor is sometimes labeled by the media as this intimidating and standoffish figure.
As reported in Everybody Hates Marcus, Washington has rebounded nicely from his departure on 'Grey's Anatomy,' landing a role on the new NBC show 'Bionic Woman' and the possibility of a new project that he is developing for the 2008-09 season.
"I knew I was going to go on a journey to try to take that name, and if I ever got a chance to get it on television, I would try to take that name and turn it into a positive because I'm his namesake. I'm Isaiah Washington IV."
Vote on who you think should replace Dr. Preston Burke on 'Grey's Anatomy.'
Comments: (43)
Add a comment
By: Cee Cee on 8/22/2007 11:26PM
Sometimes intelligent people make mistakes too.He has been through a painful situation. Sometimes the pain still lives in side of you when you've been through pain.That's probably why the anxiety on Grey's Atnomony was there.Not saying that what it was but a lot of times atitude and anger comes from inner pain...We have to learn self control.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Cee Cee on 8/22/2007 11:32PM
Isaiah I wish you luck in the future,my fine brother.Learn from your mistakes as we all must do...
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Just Me on 8/23/2007 6:19AM
I wonder if the man who was the object of Washington's anger would have the same empathy from people here if he'd used some racist terms on Washington or any other person of color??
Why does Washington fan just say, "oh that's ok, you made a mistake, you said some mean things and you need to control your anger, but it's going to be ok"
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: GreysFan on 8/23/2007 6:36AM
Grey's will not be the same without Isaiah Washington. I hope the show knows what it is doing, he will be hard to replace.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: tlb on 8/23/2007 6:43AM
I think they need to keep him on the show, he can't be replaced. he made a mistake, get over it.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: mitch on 8/23/2007 6:45AM
Shemar MOore is so completely and utterly, to the max amd infinite power gorgeous, beautiful, sexy, a phemon, erection causing, off the charts, off the radar friggin BEAUTIFUL, EXQUISITE, STIMULATING, AWEGASMICSOME, that he should be ILLEGAL, not be able to walk the streets cause his presence is so unbelievably powerful he could cause the earth to quake, the oceans to tsumani's, hearts to have attacks and quite litreally wreak major havor throughout the land. GOD, what a masterpiece you made in him. I salute you, and you know with what staff!!!!!
SHEMAR, ROCK ON DUDE
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Kelly on 8/23/2007 6:55AM
I'm glad Mr. Washington is back on TV. What he did or said is in the past. LET IT GO!!!! I can't imagine his loss, but either way I wish hime well! I'm going to miss him on Grey's though. Good luck Isaiah!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: mitch on 8/23/2007 6:54AM
there's only one biracial offspring, the result of one African American parent and one Caucasian parent that i have seen that has not been absolutely incomparably beautiful, gorgeous, a work of human art. The name of that unlucky soul escapes me at the moment, but if you think about it, it's SO SO SO SOOOO TRUE. Which I believe is such a major "sign" from God and what happens when the black and white races mix in such a way, beauty is created and therefore must be fostered so not only to create populations of people beyond beautiful and then some, but ultimately to be so "mixed" that bigotry is not fathomable or even comprehensible in any way, shape or form. Examples abound - SheMar the supreme example, others including the stunning Hallie Berry, Tracee Ellis Ross, Derek Jeter, Barack The Bomber!....and the list is literally endless...
I say black mothers/white father, and white mothers/black fathers get busy...add beauty unto this world...and PLEASE turn out a gay version of SHEMAR MOORE for me. I'd give almost anything for one!
Peace
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Carol Sales on 8/23/2007 7:04AM
I realize that it might be difficlut to keep epithets to ones self from time to time. However people who have choosen to become a part of the public eye, i.e., actors, sports players, etc. unfortunatly, or appropiately, need to think about what they say. If the other person had used the "N" word for the same excuses would he have been treated lightly. I think not.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: mitch on 8/23/2007 6:59AM
SHEMAR, I'm sittin' here voting again and again and again and again and AGAIN endlessly, without stopping, so you can catch up to the guy in the lead, and if you exceed his percentage, will they replace Preston Burke with you on GA? I sure hope so....I need a place to go each week to spend an hour with you....
Peace
Reply to this Comment | Report This