Las Vegas Weekly

February 12, 2009 · 6 AM

Morning Call: Denzel joins Madame Tussauds for Black History Month

By Robin Leach

Denzel Washington in wax replica at Madame Tussauds.

Photo: Madame Tussaud's

In honor of Black History Month, 12 outstanding wax figures will be unveiled at our Madame Tussauds wax museum in The Venetian. Included is the recently debuted President Obama figure along with Whoopi Goldberg and Martin Luther King Jr. The themed exhibit is the attraction’s largest ever within its everyday displays and represents figures of historical importance from several decades.

Two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington (for Glory and Training Day) is among the new wax figures making its debut. Denzel, 54, got his early break on St. Elsewhere and has now starred in 35 feature films, including in 1992 when he portrayed the title character in Spike Lee’s Malcolm X. Other celebrated figures include Sammy Davis Jr., Oprah Winfrey, Louis Armstrong, Jamie Foxx, Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, James Brown and Jimi Hendrix.

Photo: Jefferson Applegate

President Barack Obama at Madame Tussauds in The Venetian.

Each authentic Madame Tussauds figure is created at the attraction’s London studios at an average cost of $300,000. Our Madame Tussauds features nearly 100 figures, each celebrated in entertainment, sports or world history.

“We are very excited to bring the public an exhibit where they can learn more about their favorite black heroes and their contributions, while being able to interact with them for memorable photos,” says Rosita Chapman, attractions manager. Black History Month began in 1926 as a weeklong celebration and was expanded in the 1970s to one month.

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