Lorice Washington: Denzel Washington’s Older Sister and the Washington Family

Lorice Annette Washington is best known as the older sister of Denzel Washington, one of the most celebrated actors in Hollywood history. Born on August 31, 1951, in Mount Vernon, New York, Lorice grew up in a close-knit family that would eventually produce one of the biggest names in entertainment. Unlike her famous brother, she’s chosen to live far from the spotlight, maintaining a quiet and private existence. While Denzel has captured audiences worldwide with performances in films like Training Day, Glory, and Fences, Lorice has remained largely unknown to the public. Her story, though less documented, is tied to the same upbringing and family values that shaped Denzel into the man he became. Here’s what we know about Lorice Washington and the family behind the icon.

Early Life in Mount Vernon

Lorice Washington was born and raised in Mount Vernon, New York, a small city just north of the Bronx. In the 1950s and 1960s, Mount Vernon was a working-class community with a significant African American population. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was the kind of place where families knew their neighbors and churches served as the backbone of social life.

Growing up in Mount Vernon meant Lorice experienced a childhood rooted in structure and discipline. The city’s proximity to New York gave residents access to culture and opportunity, but daily life was grounded in the realities of middle-class America. Schools, churches, and family gatherings defined the rhythm of the Washington household.

As the eldest of three children, Lorice would’ve taken on responsibilities early. Older siblings in families of that era often helped look after younger brothers and sisters, and her role in the household likely reflected that expectation. Her younger brother Denzel was born in 1954, followed by their brother David. The three siblings grew up together in a home where faith and hard work weren’t optional — they were the foundation.

The Washington Family

The Washington family was shaped by two strong but very different parents. Their father, Reverend Denzel Hayes Washington Sr., was a Pentecostal minister who also held down other jobs to support the family. He was a man of deep faith, and that faith permeated every corner of their home. Sundays meant church, and the values preached from the pulpit carried over into how the children were raised.

Their mother, Lennis “Lynne” Lowe Washington, was a beauty parlor owner and a fiercely independent woman. She brought a practical toughness to the household that balanced her husband’s spiritual focus. Lennis worked hard to provide for her children and instilled in them a sense of self-reliance that would serve them well in adulthood.

Despite the strong foundation, the Washington marriage didn’t last. Denzel Sr. and Lennis divorced when the children were still young. The split was difficult for the family, as divorces often were in tight-knit communities during that period. Denzel has spoken publicly about how his parents’ separation affected him, and it’s reasonable to assume the divorce had an impact on all three siblings, including Lorice.

After the divorce, Lennis took on the primary role of raising the children. She made tough decisions to keep them on the right path, including sending young Denzel to Oakland Academy, a private boarding school in New Windsor, New York. That decision, which Denzel has credited with changing his life, came from the same maternal instinct that guided all three Washington children through a challenging time.

Denzel Washington’s Rise

While Lorice maintained a quiet life, her younger brother Denzel went on to become one of the greatest actors of his generation. After attending Fordham University, where he discovered his passion for acting, Denzel steadily built a career that would earn him two Academy Awards, three Golden Globes, and a Tony Award.

His breakout came with the television series St. Elsewhere in the 1980s, but it was his Oscar-winning performance in Glory (1989) that established him as a serious dramatic force. He followed that with unforgettable roles in Malcolm X (1992), The Hurricane (1999), and Training Day (2001), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

In more recent years, Denzel has added directing to his accomplishments, most notably with Fences (2016), which he also starred in alongside Viola Davis. He’s continued to take on challenging roles and has become a respected figure not just in Hollywood but in American culture broadly. His speeches about faith, discipline, and family frequently reference the values he learned growing up in Mount Vernon — the same household where Lorice was raised.

Denzel has often spoken about the influence of his parents, particularly his mother’s sacrifices and his father’s spiritual guidance. Those same influences shaped Lorice and David, even if their paths led them away from public life. The Washington family’s story is one where the same roots produced very different branches, but the foundation remained consistent.

Lorice’s Private Life

Unlike her brother, Lorice Washington has kept an exceptionally low profile. There are no verified social media accounts, no interviews, and no public appearances tied to her name. In an age where celebrity family members often seek or stumble into the spotlight, Lorice’s absence from public life is notable.

This level of privacy is a deliberate choice, and it’s one that deserves respect. Not everyone connected to a famous person wants or needs public attention. Lorice has built her life on her own terms, separate from the Hollywood machinery that surrounds her brother’s career.

What’s known about Lorice comes almost entirely through references in articles and interviews about Denzel. She’s mentioned as his older sister, but details about her personal life — her career, her family, her interests — remain private. This isn’t unusual for siblings of major celebrities, but the completeness of Lorice’s privacy is remarkable.

Denzel himself has been protective of his family’s privacy over the years. While he’ll discuss his upbringing and his parents’ influence in broad terms, he rarely shares specifics about his siblings’ lives. This mutual respect for boundaries likely reflects the family values instilled by their parents decades ago in Mount Vernon.

At 74 years old, Lorice Annette Washington represents a side of the Washington family story that doesn’t make headlines. She’s the eldest sibling who grew up in the same household, was raised by the same parents, and experienced the same formative years in Mount Vernon. Her choice to live privately doesn’t diminish her place in the family — it simply means her story is her own to tell.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Lorice Washington?

Lorice Washington was born on August 31, 1951, making her 74 years old. She’s approximately three years older than her brother Denzel, who was born in December 1954.

Is Lorice Washington related to Denzel Washington?

Yes, Lorice is Denzel Washington’s older sister. They grew up together in Mount Vernon, New York, along with their brother David. All three are children of Reverend Denzel Washington Sr. and Lennis “Lynne” Washington.

What does Lorice Washington do for a living?

Lorice Washington’s professional life isn’t publicly documented. She’s maintained a very private existence away from media attention, and no verified information about her career has been made public.

Where did Lorice Washington grow up?

Lorice grew up in Mount Vernon, New York, a city located just north of the Bronx in Westchester County. The Washington family was well-known in their community, with their father serving as a Pentecostal minister in the area.