People: You can’t argue with his success

Christmas came early this year for Denzel Washington.

First there was a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor and plenty of Oscar buzz for his performance in “American Gangster.”

Now there’s “The Great Debaters,” a drama inspired by a real-life, underdog debate team from a small black college in the 1930s South.

Washington directs and stars as debate coach Melvin B. Tolson in the film, which nabbed a Golden Globe nomination for Best Picture.

It’s his second time in the director’s chair, following 2002’s “Antwone Fisher.”

Q. When you’re preparing for a role, do you feel a greater sense of responsibility if the character is based on a real person than if he’s fictional?

A. There’s more pressure playing Malcolm X, or someone like Martin Luther King – who everybody thinks they know. But (with someone lesser-known, like Tolson) I think there’s some latitude I can take.

Q. Seems you weren’t the only Denzel on the set.

A. Yeah, can you imagine that?

Q. Guess that doesn’t happen very often.

A. No, and I told (Denzel Whitaker, who plays the youngest debater), “Look, your name has nothing to do with your getting the job.” He was just very good. And sort of looks like Forest. (Forest Whitaker plays the boy’s father; in real life they’re not related.)

Q. Do you identify with Denzel Whitaker’s character, James Farmer Jr.? He’s a “junior,” and the son of a minister, just like you. Did you give the writers input?

A. I just talked to the writers about what it is to be 14 and, y’know … falling in love with the girl who doesn’t even see you. I think we’ve all been through that.

I remember there was a girl I really liked and I used to run to where her next class was gonna be, and act like I was just hanging out. She never even looked at me. We all go through that.

Q. Bet she’s kicking herself now.

A. She never knew! I never had the heart to tell her. That was my secret.

Q. I heard you read the Bible each morning.

A. That’s true. I just started the Book of Romans. Yeah … Paul’s in trouble. But, y’know, he doesn’t care. He’s tough.

It’s my second time reading it straight through. My pastor said to start with The New Testament, because you’ll figure it out a little easier. So I … I only read a chapter a day. I kinda study it. It’s just how I like to start my day.

The birthday bunch

Actor Donald Moffat (“Clear and Present Danger”) is 77. Record producer Phil Spector is 67. “America’s Most Wanted” host John Walsh is 62. Drummer Lars Ulrich (Metallica) is 44. Singer James Mercer (The Shins) is 37. Actor Jared Leto is 36.