Denzel Washington Is Sick of All the ‘Uncle Denzel’ Memes

Like, really sick of them.

https://twitter.com/BlogXilla/status/776035348304400386

At 61 Denzel Washington is one of the most respected actors in the world. The Academy Award winner is an indelible presence on the screen, giving every role his unmistakable mix of charisma and gravity. He has also damn well had enough of these kids and their stupid “Uncle Denzel” memes.

The actor showed up a little dressed down and sporting his magnificent Magnificent Seven mustache at the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight in May, 2015, and a photographer’s bad timing snapped the usually suave and ageless star not really looking like—well, like himself.  

The internet got hold of the unfortunate photo and #UncleDenzel took off like a rocket. 

https://twitter.com/BlackAutonomist/status/629759580021633024

A correspondent for Global Grind was interviewing Washington about his latest film and was brave enough to broach the subject of the mustache and “Uncle Denzel.” 

Washington made it very clear he wasn’t having it. At all.

“If I had my wallet, I’d show it to you,” Washington said. Referring to why he grew his mustache, he said, “They don’t know what I was doing. They don’t need to know.” He wasn’t done, either. His manner growing a little grimmer, Washington later said, “Send that out. Those who can, do. Those who can’t talk about those who can.”

Washington’s attitude seemed to be, “You keep making your little internet jokes. I’ll keep making all that money.”

It may make some viewers of the interview feel a little squirmy—like a misbehaving nephew or niece being chewed out by a favorite uncle—but we must admit he has a point.

You can see Washington putting that mustache to good use in The Magnificent Seven, which is in theaters on September 27, 2016.

h/t Uproxx