Denzel Washington remembers friendship with Sidney Poitier

Denzel Washington dropped by “Jimmy Kimmel Live!, “Monday, where we discussed meeting the legendary Sydney Poitier. Poitier died January 6th at the age of 94. The actors met when Poitier visited Denzel following his performance in the play “Soldier’s Play.”

“He came backstage and took pictures with all of us,” Washington recalled. “He came over to me and he says, ‘You know, you're good, you're very good.’ I was like, what do you say to Sidney Portier? ‘Yes, sir, thank you!’”

The two actors later became friends, and Washington would often visit the Oscar winner at his home.

I would just go over to his house and hangout and visit him and I have all types of tapes of him talking about stuff. Audio tapes?” “Video, as well.” “Were you doing that for a project?” “No, I said do you mind…and he said ‘no, go ahead.’ I heard Sidney Portier curse.”

“Oh you did?” Kimmel asked. Which of the many wonderful words?”

“He used them all,” Denzel said. “I was like, ‘Oh, not Mr. Tibbs?’”

Video Transcript

JIMMY KIMMEL: People have often called you, they say-- they would say, you're the next Sidney Poitier, which I don't know. It seems a little weird. Do you like when people say that?

DENZEL WASHINGTON: Beats a sharp, stick in the eye.

JIMMY KIMMEL: Yeah, right. OK.

KYLIE MAR: Denzel Washington dropped by "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Monday, where he discussed meeting the legendary Sidney Poitier, who recently died at the age of 94.

DENZEL WASHINGTON: He came over to me. He said, you know, you're good. You're very good. How about-- you know, what do you say? It was Sidney Poitier. Yes, sir. Thank you.

KYLIE MAR: The two actors later became friends, and Washington would often visit the Oscar winner at his home.

DENZEL WASHINGTON: I would just go over to his house, and hang out, and visit him, and record him. I have all kinds of tapes of him, just talking about stuff.

JIMMY KIMMEL: Audiotapes?

DENZEL WASHINGTON: Video as well.

JIMMY KIMMEL: Were you doing that for a project or just for your own?

DENZEL WASHINGTON: No, I said, do you mind if I-- you know, and he said, no.

KYLIE MAR: While Washington celebrated his friend's colorful life and career, one of his favorite memories was Poitier's use of colorful language.

DENZEL WASHINGTON: I heard Sidney Poitier curse.

JIMMY KIMMEL: Oh you did. Which of the many wonderful words?

DENZEL WASHINGTON: He used them all.

JIMMY KIMMEL: He used them all.

DENZEL WASHINGTON: I was like, oww.

[LAUGHTER]

Hi, Mr. Tibbs.