Audiences worldwide know Denzel Washington because of his Oscar-worthy performances in Malcolm X, A Soldier’s Story, Fences and more. But the Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient actually got his roots on stage, which he explained was another reason why you can’t call him a “Hollywood actor:”

If you've ever considered Denzel Washington to be a Hollywood star, you may have been mistaken. In case you didn’t know, Denzel is currently starring alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the brand-new Broadway production of Othello, which opened at the Barrymore Theater on Sunday.