ISAIAH WASHINGTON

Full Name, Age & Place of Birth

Isaiah Washington IV, born on August 3, 1963 in Houston, Texas, is 61 years old as of mid‑2025 .

Early Life, Family & Service

Growing up in Houston’s Heights neighborhood, Isaiah graduated from Willowridge High School in 1981 . Tragically, his father was murdered when he was 13. At 19, he joined the U.S. Air Force, serving at Clark Air Base in the Philippines and Holloman AFB in New Mexico 1. After his service, he earned a degree from Howard University and joined the Howard Players drama troupe .

Early Career & Spike Lee Collaborations

Isaiah began acting in the early ’90s, making his debut in Strictly Business (1991). He developed a strong working relationship with Spike Lee, appearing in notable films like Crooklyn (1994), Clockers, Girl 6, and Get on the Bus . He also featured in Love Jones, Out of Sight, Romeo Must Die, and Ghost Ship, rounding out a varied early filmography .

Breakthrough as Dr. Preston Burke

In 2005, Isaiah was cast as Dr. Preston Burke, a charismatic cardiothoracic surgeon on Grey’s Anatomy. His nuanced performance alongside Sandra Oh earned him two NAACP Image Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and the show became a cultural phenomenon. He also made People’s “50 Most Beautiful People” list and was named one of TV Guide’s “Sexiest Guys” in 2006 .

Controversy & Later Return

During the third season, Isaiah was involved in an incident where he used a homophobic slur toward a co‑star, leading to professional counseling, eventual dismissal from the show in 2007, and a much-publicized public apology . He returned briefly in 2014 to help close Cristina’s storyline .

Continued TV & Film Roles

Isaiah took on a recurring role in Bionic Woman (2007) and later portrayed Chancellor Thelonious Jaha on The 100 (2014–2018), a central figure in the sci-fi drama . Other films include Blue Caprice (2013), where he played a DC Sniper, earning critical acclaim including a Gotham nomination .

Hosting & Directorial Ventures

In 2020, Isaiah hosted "Isaiah Washington: Kitchen Talk" on Fox Nation—a travel-cooking show blending food, culture, and dialogue . In 2022, he made his directorial debut with Corsicana, a Western in which he starred as Bass Reeves, the first Black deputy U.S. marshal .

Humanitarian & Cultural Advocacy

Following a DNA test, Isaiah traced his maternal ancestry to Sierra Leone and gained citizenship there. He founded the Gondobay Manga Foundation, has donated medical supplies, built schools, and was honored by the Mende people with a chieftaincy title .

Retirement & Independent Projects

In early 2023, Isaiah announced a partial retirement from Hollywood, citing frustrations with the industry. Yet, he launched a GoFundMe for a Bass Reeves film, indicating his intent to continue creating on his own terms .

Summary

Isaiah Washington’s journey reflects remarkable breadth—from military service and Spike Lee’s ensemble to iconic roles in Grey’s Anatomy and The 100, bold filmmaking, and impactful humanitarianism. His evolving career highlights resilience, creativity, and purpose—defining a multifaceted legacy both on and off-screen.