The Truth About How Denzel Washington Got His Magic Pinky Finger

In an interview on The Graham Norton Show, Norton, after talking with other actors about their hand injuries, brings up Denzel Washington’s infamous pinky injury. They show an image featuring Washington and Meryl Streep that prominently displays the dislocated pinky in all its uncomfortable glory. Washington goes on to explain that, “I had it rebuilt. I had injured it so many times playing…American football…I went up for a pass playing American football and dislocated it and it’s happened so many times over the years that if I just open my hands…it would pop that far.” 

Washington goes on to explain that when he would star in films during this time, he would have to fidget with his hands to make the injury less noticeable. Additionally, he found joy in freaking out his children’s friends who would ask to see his “magic” finger. He claims that it doesn’t cause any problems now, comparing his pinky to a “gummy bear.”

Washington is not the only celebrity to sustain notable finger and hand injuries. Shia LeBouf sustained significant damage to his hands following a car accident (via People). Jimmy Fallon had a nasty fall that required his finger to get micro surgery (via Rolling Stone). Probably most infamously was Leonardo DiCaprio’s bloody hand injury caught while cameras were rolling on Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained” (via Republic World). It goes to show that no matter how seemingly impervious, even the greats can get hurt from time to time, and their commitment to their craft even through the pain certainly deserves a hand.