Isaiah Washington is an actor that has been active in the industry for over 30 years, from the acting side to the production side. He has appeared in series and films of all genres, and his roles have ranged from one-episode guest and recurring to leading roles.
He rose to fame in 2005 when he played Dr. Preston Burke on Grey's Anatomy. However, he was fired after the third season. His dismissal came from the homophobic language he used to discuss fellow actor T. R. Knight, known for playing George in the series, in a conversation with Patrick Dempsey. The context of the language has long been debated. He went on to play Thelonious Jaha in The 100.
Those are just two of his many roles. We've ranked Isaiah Washington's best performances below.
10 New York Undercover
New York Undercover was a police drama series that aired on Fox from 1994 to 1999. It was created by Dick Wolf. The plot revolves around detectives J.C. Williams and Eddie Torres, who work in the Fourth Precinct of New York as undercover agents. During each season, the two investigate a series of gang and gang-related crimes.
Isaiah Washington plays a guest character named Andre Morgan, who appears in the second season. He is the father of Gregory's field hockey team friend, J.C. Williams' son, and is an ex-convict on parole.
9 P-Valley
P-Valley is a television series that was created by Katori Hall and premiered in 2020. It has aired for two seasons, and a third season is expected. The series has received nominations at the GLAAD Media Awards and TCA Awards. The plot revolves around the workers of a strip club in Mississippi and is based on Hall's play, Pussy Valley.
Isaiah plays Mayor Tydell Ruffin, who was present in Season 1 and guest-starred in Season 2. He has a commitment to Chucalissa from this position and seeks to promote economic development in the city.
8 Crooklyn
Crooklyn is an American film of the autobiographical genre, which premiered at the San Francisco International Film Festival in 1994. It was directed by Spike Lee and received positive reviews on critical platforms such as Rotten Tomatoes, especially for its soundtrack. The story revolves around Troy Carmichael and his family, who must deal with some difficult situations to overcome them.
Washington plays Vic Powell, a war veteran who rents the apartment to the Carmichael family and lives above them. The film also stars Alfre Woodard, Delroy Lindo, and David Patrick Kelly.
7 Get on the Bus
Get on the Bus is a drama film that was released in 1996. It was directed by Spike Lee, and the date of its release corresponds to the first anniversary of the Million Man March. The plot revolves around a group of African American men that participate in the aforementioned march. They board a bus to travel across the country.
Isaiah Washington played Kyle in the film. He was Randall's boyfriend, who was part of a gay couple going through a breakup. The film also featured performances by Charles S. Dutton and Ossie Davis.
6 Clockers
Clockers is a crime drama film, which was released in the United States in 1995. It was also directed by Spike Lee and is based on the 1992 novel of the same name that was written by Richard Price. The plot revolves around Strike, a New York City drug dealer who ends up getting involved in a murder and its police investigation.
Washington played Victor Dunham, who is Strike's older brother. He is also involved in the investigation as he is questioned by the police, who at first were trying to cover up for his brother from being arrested. The film featured performances by Harvey Keitel, Delroy Lindo, John Turturro, and Mekhi Phifer.
5 Bionic Woman
Bionic Woman is an American TV show in the science fiction and drama genre that premiered in 2007 on NBC. It was created by David Eick and was based on the works of The Bionic Woman, Cyborg, and The Six Million Dollar Man. The series tells the story of Jaime Sommers, a bartender, who receives experimental medical implants after nearly dying in a car accident. She is forced to work for Berkut Group, which financed her surgery, while raising her rebellious younger sister.
Washington plays Antonio Pope, who is a consultant for the Bionics program, and who assists Jaime. This character is killed in the seventh chapter. The series also featured Michelle Ryan and Miguel Ferrer.
4 Out of Sight
Out of Sight is a comedy-crime film, which was released in the United States in 1998. It was written by Scott Frank, directed by Steven Soderbergh, and inspired by the 1996 novel of the same name. The film received Oscar nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film Editing.
The plot revolves around a bank robber that tries to pull off a new heist. He kidnaps the daughter of a marshal as a hostage, who then pursues him, and she ends up falling in love with Jack, the robber.
Washington plays Kenneth, who is the henchman of Maurice, a dangerous criminal enemy of Jack. Kenneth is killed by the protagonist when he tries to sexually assault a housekeeper. The film also featured performances by George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez.
3 Blue Caprice
Blue Caprice is an independent drama film that was released in 2013. It was based on the 2002 Washington D.C. sniper attack and was directed by Alexandre Moors. The story revolves around the perpetrators of the attacks, John and Lee, and how these murders originated.
Isaiah Washington played John, one of the main characters. He was a father figure to Lee, and they proceeded to commit a series of murders in Washington D.C. to spread terror, killing 17 people and injuring 10 others. The film also starred Tequan Richmond.
2 Grey’s Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy is a medical drama series that premiered in 2005 on ABC. The story follows the lives of the medical staff working at Seattle Grace Hospital. The TV show currently has 19 seasons, and is one of the most watched shows worldwide of all time, winning multiple awards, including an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
Washington played Dr. Preston Burke, who was one of the main characters in the first three seasons. He was an attending cardiothoracic surgeon and had an affair with Dr. Yang. He returns as a guest in Season 10 to reunite with Yang. This celebrated series also starred Ellen Pompeo, James Pickens Jr., and Chandra Wilson.
1 The 100
The 100 is a science fiction and post-apocalyptic drama series that premiered in 2014 on The CW. This American production was developed by Jason Rothenberg. The series tells the story of 100 survivors who lived in space and are doomed to return to Earth after a nuclear apocalypse. The TV show won an MTV Fandom Award and a Saturn Award.
Washington played Chancellor Thelonious Jaha, who was present in the first five seasons as a main character. This character was closely related to the protagonist's family and becomes the leader of ALIE, a cult that had intentions of manipulating the memories of citizens. He dies from the stabbing of an Azgeda. The series featured performances by Eliza Taylor and Paige Turco.