You may know Ukee Washington as the charismatic news co-anchor for CBS News Philadelphia, or Denzel Washington as the award-winning actor and director. But did you know that they are also related? That’s right, Ukee and Denzel are second cousins, once removed. Here’s how they discovered their family connection and what they have in common.
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How Ukee and Denzel Found Out They Were Cousins
Ukee Washington, whose full name is Ulysses Samuel Washington III, was born in 1958 in Philadelphia. He is the son of Ulysses S. Washington, a professor and former football coach at Delaware State University. CBS News Philadelphia
Denzel Washington, whose full name is Denzel Hayes Washington Jr., was born in 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York. He is the son of Denzel Hayes Washington Sr., an ordained Pentecostal minister and a former employee of the New York City Water Department. Wikipedia
Both Ukee and Denzel have roots in Virginia, where their ancestors settled in the 1800s. According to Jack Myers, an expert in genealogy and family trees, Ukee and Denzel are second cousins, once removed. That means that Ukee’s grandfather and Denzel’s father were first cousins. CBS News Philadelphia
Ukee and Denzel met for the first time in 1991, when Denzel was filming the movie “Philadelphia” in the city. Ukee, who was a sports anchor at KYW-TV at the time, interviewed Denzel about his role as a lawyer with AIDS. They hit it off right away and became friends. CBS News Philadelphia
It was not until 2017 that they learned about their family ties, when Myers traced their Washington name back to their common ancestor in Virginia. Ukee and Denzel were both surprised and delighted by the news. They joked that they should have known they were related because of their resemblance and their love for Philly. CBS News Philadelphia
What Ukee and Denzel Have in Common
Besides being cousins and friends, Ukee and Denzel also share some similarities in their careers and interests. Here are some of them:
- They are both successful and respected in their fields of journalism and acting. Ukee has been co-anchoring the weekday evening newscast on KYW-TV since 2015, and has won several awards for his work. He also hosts the Brotherly Love segment, which profiles people who have a positive impact on their communities. CBS News Philadelphia Denzel has been acting for over four decades, and has won two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, a Tony Award, and many other honors. He has portrayed real-life figures such as Malcolm X, Steve Biko, Rubin Carter, Frank Lucas, and Herman Boone, as well as fictional characters such as Roman J. Israel Esq., Alonzo Harris, John Q., and Robert McCall. Wikipedia
- They are both involved in philanthropy and social causes. Ukee is a supporter of several charities and organizations that help children, veterans, animals, and the environment. He also participates in various events and fundraisers for his community. CBS News Philadelphia Denzel is a spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which he joined as a child. He has donated millions of dollars to the organization and helped build new clubs across the country. He also supports other causes such as education, health care, civil rights, and disaster relief. Wikipedia
- They are both fans of sports and music. Ukee was a celebrated athlete in high school, playing football, basketball, and baseball. He still enjoys watching and playing sports, especially golf. He is also a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, and 76ers. CBS News Philadelphia Denzel was also an athlete in college, playing basketball as a guard. He still follows basketball closely, especially the Los Angeles Lakers. He is also a fan of boxing and football. He is also a music lover, who listens to jazz, blues, soul, gospel, hip hop, and rock. Wikipedia
Conclusion
Ukee Washington and Denzel Washington are two talented and inspiring men who have made their mark in their respective fields. They are also second cousins who share a bond of family and friendship. They have many things in common that make them unique and admirable.
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