Denzel Washington has received an honorary degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

The Oscar-winning actor spoke in front of some 5,000 graduates at the Ivy League school Monday morning (May 16) as he accepted the award, admitting he felt out of his “comfort zone” at the commencement ceremony. “It’s a little overwhelming and out of my comfort zone,” he said. ”I had to come exactly because I might make a fool of myself. I’ve found that nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks. Nothing. If you don’t fail, you’re not even trying.”

At the ceremony, Washington, whose son Malcolm is a student at UPenn, was praised for his “enlightening and inspiring” performances throughout his career. University President Amy Gutmann said: “His moving performances have entertained us, inspired us and often enlightened us.”

Staples Center was full of celebrities during last night’s basketball game! As the Los Angeles Lakers took on New York Knicks Sunday night (Jan 9), lots of celebs, including Ciara, Spike Lee, Denzel Washington, Dr. Dre, George Lopez, Adam Sandler and others, were seated in their VIP courtside seats taking all of the bball action in.

Other folks spotted at the game were Khloe and Rob Kardashian (obviously rooting for Khloe’s husband, LA Laker Lamar Odom), Spike Lee (who is a big time Knicks fan), Will.i.am and Jack Nicholson.

Check out 15+ pics below!

Pop singer Justin Bieber was spotted hanging out courtside with actor Jaden Smith Tuesday night (Oct 26) as the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Houston Rockets at Staples Center in L.A. The pair (who had just performed on-stage at the arena the night before — along with Jaden’s little sister Willow) enjoyed each other’s company as the Lakers defeated the Rockets, 112 to 110.

Justin was also spotted chatting it up with actor Denzel Washington (and with his wife Pauletta) and soccer star David Beckham during the basketball game. Check out a few pics below!!

Rapper T.I. and his wife Tiny were boo’d up Friday night (Aug 13) at the Axe Lounge in Southampton, New York. The happy couple just got married last month in Miami.

NBA ballers Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade attended the Jordan Brand Breakfast Club Finale during the World Basketball Festival at Rucker Park in New York City.

Jermaine Dupri was in DJ mode at the WWE SummerSlam Kickoff Party at the Tropicana Bar at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.

Singer Ke$ha, who is currently on tour with Rihanna, recorded an appearance/concert on NBC’s “Today Show” at the Rockefeller Center in NYC.

Actress/TV personality Tori Spelling hosted a book-signing for her new book “Unchartered Terri-TORI” at Borders bookstore in Town Square in Las Vegas, NV.

Actresses Sanaa Lathan and Jurnee Smollett attended the 9th Annual InStyle Summer Soiree Thursday (Aug 12) in Los Angeles.

Carmelo Anthony and rapper Jadakiss partied it up at Greenhouse in New York City at the after-party for Rihanna‘s concert earlier that night at Madison Square Garden. (Check out home boy in the back trying to sneak into the picture! LOL!!)

Denzel Washington and his wife Pauletta posed for pics on the red carpet of the 10th Annual Harold Pump Foundation Gala in Century City, CA.

And rappers/actors Bow Wow and Ice Cube kicked it at the after-party following the premiere of their new movie “The Lottery Ticket” in Hollywood.

Airport photogs caught rapper Kanye West catching a flight out of JFK in New York City this morning (Thurs. Jun 24) on his way to Los Angeles ahead of this weekend’s BET Awards where he’s set to take the stage for his first awards show performance since his “incident” last year at the MTV VMAs.

Singer Rihanna was spotted strolling down a walkway in Los Angeles after getting some shopping done at Saks Fifth Avenue Wednesday afternoon (Jun 23).

Pop singer Katy Perry is currently promoting her latest single “California Gurls” over in the UK and was seen signing autographs for fans as she left BBC Radio One studios in London Thursday afternoon (Jun 24).

Yesterday (Wed. Jun 23) singer Alexandra Burke was spotted on the set of her new music video in Los Angeles.

Producer/rapper Swizz Beatz smiled for the cameras after exiting a Fox Studios building in New York City. He and his new fiancee Alicia Keys are currently expecting their first child together.

Jamie Foxx was seen outside Trousdale in West Hollywood last night. He’s reportedly working on a new TV series that focuses on the relationship between an aging mob boss and his daughter called “Tommy’s Little Girl.” Beginning to swell around the “gut” area there, aren’t we Jamie? (LOL)

Actor Denzel Washington gave photographers a thumbs up as he left Cort Theatre in New York City after performing in the Tony Award winning Broadway play “Fences” Tuesday night (Jun 22). Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes sat in the audience and caught Denzel’s performance that night.

And rappers Sean “Diddy” Combs and Jay-Z were spotted outside the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York Monday (Jun 21) following Jay and Eminem‘s performance on David Letterman, which will air Friday night.

Congratulations are in order for actor Denzel Washington and actress Viola Davis for each taking home trophies last night (Sun. Jun 13) after the 64th Annual Tony Awards in New York City.

Denzel won “Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play” and Viola was awarded with “Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play.” The awards were for their performances in the Broadway play “Fences.”

Check out a few pics of Denzel and Viola at the 2010 Tony Awards below…

Amber Rose stepped out last night (Wed. May 12) at Nylon’s May Young Hollywood Event at the Roosevelt Hotel in California.

Mel B attended “An Evening with NBC Universal” at The Cable Show 2010 at Hollywood’s Universal Studios Wednesday.

Gym Class Heroes frontman Travis McCoy paid a visit to Fuse studios in Toronto, Canada earlier today (Thurs. May 13) to promote his new solo project Lazarus, due in stores June 8th.

Actor Cuba Godding Jr. was on hand for the “Robin Hood” Premiere at the Palais des Festivals during the 63rd Annual Cannes Film Festival Wednesday in Cannes, France.

Musicians Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley of the hip-hop group N.E.R.D. walked the red carpet at the 5th Annual Victoria’s Secret “What Is Sexy?” Bombshell edition party at Drai’s Hollywood Tuesday evening (May 11) in California.

All three of the Kardashian girls (Khloe, Kim and Kourtney) held a meet and greet session as they made an appearance at Kitson on Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles Tuesday.

Comedic actor Damon Wayans was spotted promoting his new book “Red Hats” at a Borders book store in Philadelphia Monday (May 10).

And actor Denzel Washington and actress Viola Davis attended the 75th Annual New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City Monday.

Actor-comedian/philanthropist Steve Harvey, his wife Marjorie and TV personality Robin Roberts hosted a charity event benefiting the Steve Harvey Foundation at Cipriani Wall Street Monday evening (May 3) in New York City. And thanks to a generous donation from actor Denzel Washington and his wife Paulette, who have a joint non-profit of their own, Steve raised over $1 million for his foundation, which empowers the lives of young men.

Steve Harvey had this to say about his friends’ big donation:

“I am stunned but at the same time I’m not because this gift exemplifies Denzel and Pauletta.  Giving comes real easy to them and although that’s surprising to a lot of people, its not surprising to us.  Marjorie and I are so grateful and will use this money in the spirit it has been given – to change the lives of young men around the world.”

Other celebrities at the event, which was a part of Steve Harvey’s Mentoring Weekend for Young Men, were Sherri Shepherd, Nicole Ari Parker, Common, L.A. Reid and more. R&B singer Toni Braxton also attended the charity event and performed for the attendees.

Check out 15+ pictures of the folks mentioned and then some below and when you continue reading…

R&B entertainers Chris Brown and Usher were spotted getting into some serious conversation last night (Thurs. Feb 18) in Los Angeles’ Staples Center at the LA Lakers vs. Boston Celtics basketball game.

Denzel Washington, Khloe Kardashian, Common and more were also in the building watching the game courtside as the Lakers were defeated by the Celtics on their own court, 87 to 86. Check out 15+ pictures of everyone enjoying the game below and after the cut…

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES / WIRE IMAGE

Over 83 million people tuned in last Friday night (Jan 22) to catch the Hope for Haiti Now telethon, which aired live and commercial-free on several major networks and was also streamed real-time online. The effort was spearheaded by MTV Networks, actor George Clooney and rapper/singer Wyclef Jean (who is from Haiti himself) in an effort to raise awareness and relief for the troubled country of Haiti, who suffered a massive earthquake earlier this month. According to recent numbers, over $61 million in pledges were made by members of the general public. Organizers will continue to take contributions for the next six months.

Celebrities who helped out by either performing or taking phone calls from pledges (or both) included Jay-Z, Rihanna, Bono from U2, Taylor Swift, Denzel Washington, Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson and tons more. Continue reading for more pictures and click here to peep the performances if you missed them last week.

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES / WIRE IMAGE

After taping an episode of the “Late Show with David Letterman,” actor Denzel Washington greeted a homeless man and signed an autograph for him outside the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City Thursday (Jan 14) before making his way into his vehicle.

Washington’s latest film, “The Book of Eli,” was released to theaters this past Friday (Jan 15).

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

Actors Denzel Washington and George Lopez laughed it up courtside Sunday (Jan 10) at the Lakers/Bucks game in Los Angeles. Other celebs in the building were Will.i.am, Ryan Seacrest and Adam Levine.

The Lakers beat the Milwaukee Bucks, 95 to 77. More pics of celebs courtside at the game below…

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

Two time Academy Award winning actor Denzel Washington is a man on fire in “The Book Of Eli” and from what we hear the 55 year old trained 4 months with martial art experts in preparation for the role. Washington plays a fearless and ruthless drifter Eli, who walks across the ruins of America in the in this post apocalyptic adventure.

Armed with an arsenal of weapons ranging from a shotgun to a Samari sword, Eli kills to protect what some would kill to have, a sacred book that holds the truth to saving mankind. Alongside actors Mila Kunis and Gary Oldman, Washington anticipates the film will share with audiences the spiritual revolution they embarked as Eli sets forth his journey across a vile and cold world where one man stands and fights not only to save mankind but to defend his virtue.

The Book of Eli is set to hit theaters January 15, 2010. Continue reading for the trailer!

CONTINUE READING

Here are some new pics of celebs hitting up various events throughout the past few days!

Rapper Flo Rida and actress Niecy Nash posed for the cameras as they arrived on the red carpet of the premiere of Walt Disney Pictures’ animated feature film “G-Force” in Los Angeles.

Denzel Washington posed for pics at a photocall for his new movie “The Taking of Pelham 123″ in Paris and Adrienne Bailon hit up the after party for the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 10th Anniversary Art for Life Benefit in New York.

Continue reading for pics of Snoop Dogg, Elise Neal, Chris Rock and more!

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES / WIRE IMAGE

Denzel Washington and his kids (Katia, Olivia and Malcom) spent some quality family time together on the Fourth of July (Saturday) on Nikki Beach in St. Tropez, France. The four Washingtons enjoyed the sun on the beach then took to the ocean in a small boat. Continue reading for the rest of the pics!

PHOTOS: BAUER GRIFFIN ONLINE

Rapper Kanye West and WNBA star Lisa Leslie were among the many celebrities who spent their Thursday (June 4) evening at the Staples Center in Los Angeles as the Lakers took on the Magic during Game One of the NBA Finals. Other celebrities in the house were Tyrese, Soulja Boy, Cee-Lo Green and more. Continue reading to peep all of the photos!

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

Denver Nuggets bballer Carmelo Anthony and his fiancee Lala Vazquez hit up the premiere of “The Taking of Pelham 1, 2, 3″ in Los Angeles, CA. Other celebs at the premiere were Tyrese, Kim Kardashian, Taraji P. Henson and others.

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

Taraji P. Henson and her 15-year-old son Marcel were spotted kicking it courtside Wednesday (May 27) night as the Lakers and the Nuggets went head to head during game 5 of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Who else was there, you ask? Tyrese (who butchered the National Anthem … or so we heard), Denzel Washington & his wife Pauletta, M.I.A & her husband Ben Brewer, and Disney star Zac Efron. Continue reading to check out all of the pics!

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

GOT’s favorite cup of swirl, Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush, were spotted by paparazzi outside of the Staples Center Wednesday as they made their way to the arena for last night’s Lakers vs. Nuggets playoff game.

Other celebrities spotted on their way to their highly expensive courtside seats were Denzel Washington, Tyrese, Zac Efron and Adam Levine. Celebrities sure do love their basketball! Continue reading for more pics!

PHOTOS: FILM MAGIC

Actor Denzel Washington and actress Jurnee Smollett attended the 6th annual Washington Family Gifted Scholars in Neuroscience Awards at Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Middle School Wednesday in Los Angeles, CA.

The Pauletta and Denzel Washington Gifted Scholars program, founded in 2004, gives graduates and medical students pursuing training in the field of neuroscience an outstanding educational opportunity, which includes an award in the amount of $2,000/mo for one undergraduate and $2,500/mo for one graduate or medical student.

Continue reading for more photos from the awards ceremony.

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

Actor Denzel Washington and singer/songwriter Justin Timberlake chatted it up courtside Tuesday night at Game One of the Western Conference Finals between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles for the 2009 NBA Playoffs in LA at the Staples Center. Other famous faces including T.I. and Timbaland were also at the game. Continue reading for more!

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES // NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

Actor Denzel Washington and his wife Pauletta were spotted courtside looking up at the big jumbotron as they watched the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Houston Rockets during Game Seven of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center in LA Sunday night. The real Lakers returned and defeatued the Rockets with a final score of 89 to 70. Continue reading for a couple more pics of Denzel & Pauletta.

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES // NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

Award-winning actors Denzel Washington and Jeremy Piven shared a laugh Tuesday night as the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Houston Rockets in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs.

The Lakers embarrassed the Rockets with a final score of 118 to 78. Continue reading to see who else was spotted at last night’s game!

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

Many stars were on hand Saturday, January 17th 2009, just 3 days before Barack Obama‘s historical inauguration, to perform at the “We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration” in Washington, D.C. in front of the Lincoln memorial. Some of the celebrities who either made speeches or performed include: Beyonce, Usher, Shakira, Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah, Samuel L. Jackson, and more! Continue reading for the rest of the photos.

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES / WIRE IMAGES / AFP

Is that Prince, Denzel Washington and Pauletta Washington (Denzel’s wife)? Yup, it sure is! The three of them were spotted sitting courtside together yesterday (Christmas Day) at the Lakers/Celtics game last night in Los Angeles. The Lakers defeated the Celtics with a final score of 92 to 83. Continue reading to see who else hit up the game last night! I’ll go on and tell you Snoop Dogg and Samuel L. Jackson hit up the game too.

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

Barack Obama, Jay Z, Denzel Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Muhammed Ali, Prince, Marvin Gaye, and Billy Dee Williams all cover the special edition 8 cover issue of Ebony Magazine. In the issue Ebony Magazine lists their picks for the 25 coolest black men of all time. The issue is set to hit news stands July 8th. More pics and a quote from Ebony after the jump.

This is what Ebony had to say about their “collector’s edition” issue.

For the FIRST TIME EVER, Ebony magazine defines Black Cool in an exclusive 8-cover feature unlike anything you’ve seen before. In this historic collector’s edition, we will name the 25 coolest brothers of all time.

These brothers radiate confidence and have an alluring charisma that sets the standard. From their sleek, debonair styles to their smooth-as-silk personas, these magnificent Black men have conveyed, captured and conquered the quintessence of “cool” while making it appear effortless.

If you had to choose, which 25 black men would you say were the coolest of all time?

The paparazzi caught newlywed Nick Cannon as he left an NYC hotel sans his “wife” Mariah Carey. Close your mouth, son!

Madonna was spotted as she left her London gym. This gym thing is more than a ritual for Madonna. I hear she hits it up several times in one day! I guess all of those trips to and fro keeps her looking young (she’s 49 years old), but whew. To each his (or her, in this case) own, I suppose…

The girl who sits at home and does nothing all day but practice new poses for the paparazzi in the mirror, also known as Paris Hilton, hit up the Ed Sullivan Theater for a recording of the “Late Show With David Letterman” earlier today.

R&B singer Usher is currently in London riding the promo train for his new album, Here I stand. The “In This Club” singer was photographed as he left the BBC Radio 1 building, signing autographs for fans earlier today.

DJ Paul and Juicy J, collectively known as Three 6 Mafia, dropped by MTV’s TRL Tuesday. Those shades Juicy J’s rocking are … different. Lol

Christina Milian was spotted on the beach in Santa Monica on the set of a new publicity campaign for OP.

Nelly and Ashanti attended a private dinner hosted by iHome at Luxe Laboratory in NYC held in Nelly’s honor. But remember folks, they’re not dating. They’re just really good friends. Like Chris and Rihanna =)

Actor Denzel Washington attended the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz playoff game in LA last night. You already know what to do for a recap of the game. Terrell’s been holding it down in the sports section!

Jermaine Dupri’s baby-sitter, Janet Jackson, took some time off of her 24 hour job of tending to little JD to appear at the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Hollywood Saturday night (Apr. 26th). Of course she had to run home after she did her duty at the ceremony because child neglect charges aren’t something anyone wants on their record!

Candids of Halle Berry, Mario, Denzel Washington and more after the break!

Halle Berry showed off her post-mommy figure at the Silver Rose Awards And Auction Gala in Beverly Hills last night (Apr. 27th). Hubby Gabrielle must be at home tending to the kid.

So NYC actually lit up the Empire State Building in honor of Mariah Carey‘s new album, E=MC²? As if there weren’t more important things to honor in the world. Not hating, just stating. The obvious. I can’t knock her hustle too much though, she’s still making that bread. Her album sold close to 500,000 copies in its first week.

Singers Mario and Jesse McCartney hit up Life Magazine’s 10th Annual Young Hollywood Awards hosted by Crest Whitestrips at the Avalon last night (Apr. 27th) in LA. My boy Mario is still doing his thing on Dancing With the Stars.

Actor Denzel Washington was spotted on location yesterday afternoon (Apr. 27th) in NYC for “The Taking Of Pelham 123,” his new movie, directed by Tony Scott. Be on the look-out for the movie when it hits theaters summer 2009.

Rapper Trina performed at the Beach Ball Festival in Miami yesterday afternoon (Apr. 27th). The festival is best known for its competitive activities that include staff members of some of South Beat Miami’s hottest nightclubs and restaurants going head-to-head in games of dodgeball, tug-of-war, rock climbing, and more. And to keep it even more interesting, there’s a liquor-tasing tent, and of course, musical performances.

[Begin Sarcasm] On a side-note, you’d neverrrr catch Khia aka “The True Miss Rap Supreme” performing at a “low-class” event like this. [End Sarcasm]

PHOTOS COURTESY OF: GETTY IMAGES / WIRE IMAGE / MAVRIX PHOTO

The Lakers games these past couple of weeks have been on and poppin’ as far as celebrity turn-out! It seems as though every day, or every other day at least, we’re posting about who hit up one of the games. Singer Mario and actor Evan Ross can be seen above with their “Kool Moe Dee” shades on at last night’s game. Why the hell are they wearing shades to a baksetball game? I’m not sure about how they like to view games, but if I had courtside seats, I definitely wouldn’t be hindering my view in any kind of way. But that’s just me.

Check out more photos after the break!

Multi-award winning actor Denzel Washington stars as Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas, in a film called The Great Debaters, based on a true life story. In the film Denzel Washington (Melvin B. Tolson) inspires his students to form the school’s first debate team, leading to 3 of the team’s members, Jurnee Smollett (Samantha), Nate Parker (Henry Low) and Denzel Whitaker (James Farmer Jr), to go on and challenge, a then-predominately white school, Harvard University for the national championship in 1935. Both inspiring and enlightening this film will leave you giving standing ovations, Washington, Smollett, Parker and Whitaker owned that movie! I went through so many different emotions whilst watching, I got sad, happy, angry; there are a lot of pivotal moments in The Great Debaters.