"Family is life; acting is making a living," pronounces the no-nonsense Denzel Washington, whose labors are nonetheless borne out in high dramatic style in his latest film, John Q, the wrenching story of an ordinary working man who goes to extraordinary lengths to prolong the life of his child.

The imposing actor is so artless and unequivocal in his manner and speech, it's hard to reconcile him with his vaunted Hollywood stature and his impassioned performances as Malcolm X, Rubin Carter and Steven Biko, to name a few. He has appeared in more than 30 films, been nominated for countless awards (he won the Oscar for 1989's Glory), is currently editing his first self-helmed effort (The Antwone Fisher Story), and yet he says, "To be honest with you, I'm not a film buff. I don't watch a lot of movies. I'm just not a movie person. I wasn't allowed to go to movies when I was kid; my father was a minister -- 101 Dalmatians and King of Kings, that was the extent of it."

Nonetheless, the strikingly handsome leading man has transported audiences time after time, with courageous roles in sweeping dramas, legal thrillers, action pictures and period pieces. And Washington is similarly matter-of-fact about his approach to acting. "I just try to be honest and true to the character and play the part," he says simply, adding that for the sentimental role in John Q he was not concerned about going over the top. "It could be melodramatic, but that was not my intention. It wasn't even necessarily my intention for it not be."