Denzel Washington has very candid response when young fan asks him how to be ‘gangster’ like him

Denzel Washington went viral for his very candid response when a young fan asked him how to be ‘gangster’ like him.

Last month, the 69-year-old acting legend attended the premiere of The Last Piano where he supported his sons who each starred in and directed the film.

 Though he was seemingly in a rush to get to the screening he stopped to have a chat with eight-year-old Liam the Kid Reporter for Virgin Radio’s Daryn & Deepa show in a video posted onto Instagram.

The Oscar-winner gave the child the opportunity to ask a question as the youngster queried: ‘Hi, I’m Liam. I’ve heard American Gangster is a good movie. How can I be a Canadian gangster?’

Denzel quickly answered: ‘You shouldn’t be a gangster. You’re too smart to be a gangster. What’s your favorite [school] subject?’

Denzel Washington went viral for his very candid response when a young fan asked him how to be ‘gangster’ like him

The talented thespian then guessed that his favorite subjects were math and science before asking the child if he wanted to be a doctor.

When the young reporter confirmed he wanted to be in the medical field Denzel responded: ‘It’s better to be a doctor than a gangster. Okay? Never want to be a gangster.’

Liam has been featured on the social media of radio show Daryn & Deepa which airs on Virgin Radio on 99.9FM in the greater Toronto area, and across Canada on iHeartRadio.ca and the iHeartRadio Canada app.

 Host Deepa Prashad commented on the clip: ‘What a moment. Made me emotional seeing all the press supporting little Liam.’

Many fans were touched by the interaction and how Denzel responded as one wrote: ‘He will remember that interaction for the rest of his life.’

However, a lot of responses poked fun at how Denzel assumed the child – who is of Asian decent – liked math and science which is seen as a stereotype.

One commenter replied: ‘What’s your favorite subject… math and science? I see you Denzel [two rolling on the floor emojis]’

Another said: ‘Why did my guy Denzel assume the Asian kid’s favorite subject was math? [thinking face emoji] But luv him and gonna let Unc slide on this one.’ 

Though he was seemingly in a rush to get to the screening he stopped to have a chat with eight-year-old Liam the Kid Reporter for Virgin Radio’s Daryn & Deepa show in a video posted onto Instagram

The Oscar-winner gave the child the opportunity to ask a question as the youngster queried: ‘Hi, I’m Liam. I’ve heard American Gangster is a good movie. How can I be a Canadian gangster?’

Denzel quickly answered: ‘You shouldn’t be a gangster. You’re too smart to be a gangster. What’s your favorite [school] subject?’

Denzel starred as New York City drug kingpin Frank Lucas in the 2007 biographical crime drama American Gangster which was directed by Ridley Scott.

In the film the A-lister starred alongside the likes of Russell Crowe, Josh Brolin, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ruby Dee, Cuba Gooding Jr., Idris Elba, Common, and Tip ‘T.I.’ Harris.

It was both a critical and box office success as it earned  $269 million at the global box office and earned two Academy Award nominations in 2008 including Best Achievement in Art Direction and Best Supporting Actress for the late Ruby Dee.

Meanwhile at the premiere where Denzel had the interaction with Liam, the Training Day actor made the rare red carpet appearance with almost his entire immediate family at TIFF.

Denzel had hit the event with his wife Pauletta Pauletta, 73, their sons John David, 40, and Malcolm, 33, and their daughter Katia, 37.

Host Deepa Prashad commented on the clip: ‘What a moment. Made me emotional seeing all the press supporting little Liam’

Many fans were touched by the interaction and how Denzel responded as one wrote: ‘He will remember that interaction for the rest of his life.’

However, a lot of responses poked fun at how Denzel assumed the child – who is of Asian decent – liked math and science which is seen as a stereotype as onecommenter replied: ‘What’s your favorite subject… math and science? I see you Denzel [two rolling on the floor emojis]’

Another said: ‘Why did my guy Denzel assume the Asian kid’s favorite subject was math? [thinking face emoji] But luv him and gonna let Unc slide on this one’

Denzel starred as New York City drug kingpin Frank Lucas in the 2007 biographical crime drama American Gangster which was directed by Ridley Scott

They were all attending the premiere of Malcolm’s directorial debut The Piano Lesson, which also features John David in a major role.

Based on a 1987 stage piece by August Wilson, the movie was produced by Denzel, who has a long history of interpreting the playwright’s work.

Malcolm’s twin sister Olivia was the only member of the immediate family who was not pictured on the red carpet that day. 

The play focuses on the lives of a black family in Pittsburgh in the waning days of the Great Depression – and a feud that erupts within the household.

Denzel (left) posed with his wife Pauletta (center) and three of their children, (from left) John David, Katia, and Malcolm at the Toronto International Film Festival back on September 11

They were all attending the premiere of Malcolm’s directorial debut The Piano Lesson, which also features John David in a major role

Denzel and Pauletta, who celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last year, still looked the image of marital bliss on the red carpet

At the center of the conflict is a piano covered in artistic carvings that were etched into it by the family patriarch’s grandfather, who was a slave. 

Samuel L. Jackson plays the father in the movie, with John David as his son and Till actress Danielle Deadwyler as the daughter.

The daughter wants to keep the piano for sentimental reasons, while the son would prefer to sell it and buy the farmland where their family were once enslaved. 

Denzel and Pauletta, who celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last year, still looked the image of marital bliss on the red carpet.