It's interesting, isn't it, how a name can mean so many different things to different people? When you hear "David Washington," a few images might come to mind, and that's because, as a matter of fact, there are several individuals who have carried this name into the public eye, each with their own distinct story and path. We're going to explore some of these paths today, really looking at the varied experiences associated with this particular name.
You know, some names, they just seem to pop up in various places, almost like they're meant to be connected to interesting tales. The name David Washington is, in some respects, one of those. We've seen it linked to professional sports, to the bright lights of the entertainment world, and even, sadly, to a very personal, heartbreaking community story. Each person bearing this name has, you know, carved out a unique space, leaving their own mark in their own way.
So, we'll take a moment to look at the different people who've made the name "David Washington" something to talk about. From the playing field to the stage, and then to a very serious local memory, we'll get a sense of the varied lives that have, apparently, unfolded under this common name. It's a pretty compelling collection of experiences, really.
Table of Contents
- Biography of David Washington Figures
- Personal Details of David Washington Public Figures
- What About John David Washington's Acting Journey?
- How Did David Washington's Baseball Path Unfold?
- Who Was the Young David Washington Remembered by His Community?
- David Washington on the Big Screen and Stage
- David Washington on the Baseball Field
- The Legacy of David Washington
Biography of David Washington Figures
When we talk about individuals named David Washington, it's pretty important to note that we're actually talking about a few different people, each with their own life story. There's John David Washington, who's quite well-known in the acting world, and then there's David Edward Washington, a professional baseball player. And, sadly, there's also a young David Washington whose life was cut short, leaving a lasting impact on his local area. Each one, you know, has a distinct background and set of experiences that make them unique.
John David Washington, for instance, was born on July 28, 1984, in a place called Toluca Lake, California. He comes from a family where artistic talent runs deep, being the son of Denzel Washington and Pauletta Pearson. Before he became a familiar face in movies and television shows, he spent time playing football at the college level, specifically at Morehouse College. He even had a chance to try out for a professional team, signing with the St. Louis Rams after college. It's almost like he had two distinct careers before really settling into one, you know?
Then, we have David Edward Washington, who came into the world on November 20, 1990. His professional life has mostly been centered around the sport of baseball. He's known for playing first base and also for spending time in the outfield. For a period, he played in Major League Baseball, which is a pretty big accomplishment for anyone who plays the game. As of now, he's a free agent, which means he's available to sign with any team that might want him. He actually signed a minor league agreement with the Baltimore Orioles group on November 22, 2016, so that was a key moment in his playing days.
And then there's the story of a high school student, also named David Washington. This young person's life, sadly, ended too soon. He was just a few days shy of his eighteenth birthday when a fight broke out in Dallas, and he was shot and killed. His parents, David Washington Jr. and Adalia Fitzsimmons, faced an unimaginable loss. The community in Dallas, especially in Oak Cliff, really felt his absence, with many people saying they felt like he was, you know, their own son. He was a student at Justin F. Kimball High School, so his passing affected many there too.
Personal Details of David Washington Public Figures
It can be helpful to see some of the key details about these public figures named David Washington laid out clearly. This table focuses on the two individuals who have had careers in the public eye, either in sports or acting, providing some basic facts about them. It's interesting to see how their paths, while sharing a name, are so very different, isn't it?
| Detail | John David Washington | David Edward Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 28, 1984 | November 20, 1990 |
| Place of Birth | Toluca Lake, California | (Not specified in text) |
| Parents | Denzel Washington, Pauletta Pearson | (Not specified in text) |
| Primary Profession | Actor, Producer | Baseball First Baseman/Outfielder |
| Former Profession | Professional Football Player | (Not applicable) |
| College | Morehouse College | (Not specified in text) |
| Key Teams/Projects | St. Louis Rams (NFL), "Ballers" (HBO), "The Piano Lesson" (Broadway) | Major League Baseball, Baltimore Orioles (Minor League) |
| Current Status | Active Actor/Producer | Free Agent (Baseball) |
This table, you know, just gives us a quick way to keep these two people distinct in our minds. It's pretty clear they have their own stories, even though they share a part of their name. The details help us understand their individual contributions, too.
What About John David Washington's Acting Journey?
John David Washington's path into acting is, actually, a pretty interesting one, considering his background in professional football. After his time on the football field, he really made a name for himself in the entertainment business. His first appearances on camera, you know, might surprise some people who only know him from his more recent work. He even had a small part in the 1992 film "Malcolm X," which starred his father, so he was around the film set from a very young age.
His big opportunity in acting really came in 2015 when he was chosen for a role in the popular HBO series "Ballers." In that show, he played a character named Ricky Jerret, who was a young and quite gifted player in the National Football League. His portrayal of Ricky really helped him get noticed by a wider audience. He also appeared in a film called "Coco" in 2016, which, you know, added to his growing list of acting credits.
More recently, in 2023, John David Washington made his first appearance on Broadway, which is a pretty big deal for any actor. He was part of a new production of August Wilson's "The Piano Lesson," a family ghost story set in Pittsburgh in the 1930s. He then, apparently, took on the same main character role – a strong-willed person – in the film version of "The Piano Lesson." His brother, Malcom Washington, who is a director, even talked about a particular scene from "The Piano Lesson," offering a detailed explanation of it, which is kind of neat to hear about, you know, family working together.
He's also been featured in magazines, like Esquire's summer 2020 issue, where he shared some of his personal story, including thoughts about his time in the NFL. John David Washington has, in a way, also become a voice for others in the acting community, suggesting that actors like Danielle Brooks and Danielle Deadwyler could be seen as the next Viola Davis, which is a pretty strong compliment. Brooks, actually, worked alongside him in the 2022 Broadway production of "The Piano Lesson," so there's a clear connection there. It's pretty cool to see how his career has, you know, developed and changed over time.
How Did David Washington's Baseball Path Unfold?
The journey for David Edward Washington in professional baseball is, in some respects, a common story for many athletes who pursue a career in the sport. He's a professional baseball player who has spent time as a first baseman and also in the outfield. His career has seen him play at the highest level, having previously been part of Major League Baseball, which is, you know, the dream for many young players. It's a very competitive environment, so getting to that level is a significant achievement.
On November 22, 2016, he signed a contract for minor league play with the Baltimore Orioles organization. This is a typical step for players, where they work their way up through different levels of the sport, hoping to get another chance in the major leagues. As of now, he's a free agent, meaning he's not currently signed to a team and is looking for his next opportunity to play. You can, apparently, find information about his playing statistics, how tall he is, his weight, his position on the field, his status as a newcomer, and more details, like whether he bats left or right and where he went to school.
For people who follow baseball, it's pretty easy to find information about David Edward Washington. You can, for instance, check out his profile on ESPN, which is a well-known sports network. There, you can get the most up-to-date news about him, see his live game statistics, and even watch highlights from games he's played in. It's like, all the important details for a baseball fan are readily available, which is pretty convenient if you're trying to keep up with his career.
Who Was the Young David Washington Remembered by His Community?
The story of the young David Washington from Dallas is, you know, a particularly sad one that touched many people. He was just five days away from his eighteenth birthday when he was killed on a Friday night. His parents, David Washington Jr. and Adalia Fitzsimmons, were left to cope with this terrible loss. It was a situation where a fight broke out, and he was shot and killed, which is, obviously, a very tragic way for a young life to end.
The impact of his passing was felt deeply in his local community. People in Dallas, especially those in the Oak Cliff area, really considered him one of their own. Gary Cleveland, for example, mentioned that everyone felt like David was, actually, their own son. He was a student at Justin F. Kimball High School, so his classmates and teachers were also affected by his death. There was, in a way, a collective feeling of sadness and loss for this young person who had so much life ahead of him. It's pretty clear that he was, you know, a cherished part of his neighborhood.
David Washington on the Big Screen and Stage
When we talk about the acting career of John David Washington, it's pretty clear he's made a significant mark. His first steps into the acting world were, in some respects, quite early, with that small part in "Malcolm X" when he was just a child. But it was his work on the HBO series "Ballers" in 2015 that really put him in the spotlight. Playing Ricky Jerret, a football player, allowed him to use some of his own background, which, you know, probably helped make the character feel very real.
Beyond "Ballers," John David Washington has, apparently, continued to take on interesting roles. He appeared in "Coco" in 2016, and then, more recently, he took to the stage. His Broadway debut in 2023 with "The Piano Lesson" was a big moment. He played a main character in this revival, which is a powerful story. It's interesting to note that the piano used on the set of "The Piano Lesson" was not just a decoration; it could actually be played, and the cast members, as a matter of fact, often did. It was even decorated with pictures of the Washington family and their ancestors, which adds a really personal touch to the production, you know?
His work in "The Piano Lesson" shows his range as an actor, moving from television to the live stage. He then, similarly, took on the same lead part in the film version of the play, which is a pretty unique opportunity for an actor to explore a character in two different formats. He's also been open about his personal story, sharing parts of his journey in interviews, like the one for Esquire magazine. It's like he's not just an actor, but someone who's, you know, willing to share his experiences with others, which is pretty cool.
David Washington on the Baseball Field
David Edward Washington's time in baseball has, obviously, been a significant part of his professional life. As a first baseman and outfielder, he's spent years competing at a high level. Playing in Major League Baseball is, you know, something that only a select few athletes ever achieve, so his presence there speaks to his skill and dedication. It's a pretty tough league to make it into, and even tougher to stay in.
His signing with the Baltimore Orioles organization for a minor league contract in late 2016 was a step in his ongoing career. In baseball, players often move between major and minor league teams, trying to find the best fit or work their way back up. Being a free agent now means he's looking for his next team, a new place to play and contribute. It's a phase many professional athletes go through, you know, constantly seeking the next opportunity.
For fans who follow the sport, keeping up with players like David Edward Washington is pretty straightforward. All the relevant information, from his physical details like height and weight to his playing position and how he bats and throws, is usually available. This kind of data helps fans understand a player's profile and what they bring to a team. It's, basically, all the stuff you'd want to know if you were trying to understand his contribution to the game.
The Legacy of David Washington
The name David Washington, as we've seen, actually represents a few different lives, each with its own story and impact. From John David Washington's journey from the football field to becoming a recognized actor, appearing in popular shows and on Broadway, to David Edward Washington's career as a professional baseball player who reached the major leagues, these individuals have made their marks in public life. And then there's the heartbreaking story of the young David Washington, whose life was tragically cut short, leaving a deep sense of loss in his community. Each of these stories, in a way, contributes to the broader narrative associated with the name, showing how one name can be connected to very different, yet equally significant, experiences.
