Denzel Washington lashed out an over-zealous photographer as he attended the Cannes premiere of his movie Highest 2 Lowest on Monday.
The iconic actor, 70, was filmed pointing his finger in the face of one of the snappers and shouting ‘Stop it!’ during the dramatic exchange which was captured on video.
The drama began when Washington appeared to tell off the photographer for tapping him on the arm as he walked the carpet with co-star A$AP Rocky, 36.
The photographer was seen smiling and laughing while he was being chastised by the star – before grabbing the Training Day star’s arm again.
An irate Washington then flung the photographer’s hand away and shouted ‘Stop it, stop it stop it!’ before walking off.
DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Washington for comment.
Denzel Washington lashed out an over-zealous photographer as he attended the Cannes premiere of his movie Highest 2 Lowest on Monday
The iconic actor, 70, was filmed pointing his finger in the face of one of the snappers and shouting ‘Stop it!’ during the dramatic exchange which was captured on video
Washington was all smiles elsewhere on the day when he was surprised with an honorary Palme d’Or award.
Director Spike Lee presented him with the award.
Cannes changed some of its scheduling to accommodate Denzel’s trip, which came amid his lone off-day while performing Othello in New York.
Handing the award over to Denzel, Spike said: ‘This is my brother, right here.’
‘This is a total surprise for me!’ the actor replied.
The festival usually gives out one or two honorary Palmes each edition with Robert De Niro receiving one on the festival’s opening night.
The actor, who posed for photos with Spike and co-star A$AP Rocky, showed no signs of jet lag and was expected to fly back to New York immediately after the screening.
When the festival first announced its lineup last month, Highest 2 Lowest wasn’t included.
The exchange began when Washington appeared to tell off the photographer who smiled, laughed and grabbed the Training Day star’s arm
An irate Washington then flung the photographer’s hand away and shouted ‘Stop it, stop it stop it!’ before walking off
The star faced a wall of photographers but was left furious
Washington was all smile before the encounter
The actor was seen posing with co-star A$AP Rocky
In October 2024 Washington was filmed exploding at autograph hunters in New York City
The Oscar-winning actor snapped at fans as he arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art for a film benefit honoring Samuel L. Jackson – with the tense exchange captured in a dramatic video
But within hours, however, Spike himself announced the film was heading to Cannes and representatives for the festival said they had been waiting for confirmation that Denzel would attend the red carpet.
Highest 2 Lowest, is a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film High and Low, and will be released in theatres by A24 August 22 before streaming on Apple TV+ September 5.
Back in October 2024 Washington was filmed exploding at autograph hunters in New York City.
The Oscar-winning actor snapped at fans as he arrived at the Museum of Modern Art for a film benefit honoring Samuel L. Jackson – with the tense exchange captured in a dramatic video.
The Training Day star was seen arriving at the museum and posing with a fan – while autograph hunters called his name to the side.
A visibly annoyed Washington went to walk inside but then turned and addressed a fan in the crowd.
While the entire exchange cannot be deciphered, the actor was seen pointing his finger and heard saying: ‘I heard you. You talk about showing love…’
‘…Respecting me’ to which the fan said ‘we already do.’
Washington retorted: ‘I said I’ll see you when I get out, which part of that don’t y’all understand?
‘It’s about showing love’ – before raising his voice and declaring ‘or not, or not! we can do it another way… or not, we can do it both ways!’
He then walked inside the building after the shock incident.
