Denzel Washington Responds to Ellen Pompeo’s Claim That He “Went Ham” on the Set of Grey’s Anatomy

Not long ago, Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo accused Denzel Washington of going “ham” while he directed an episode of the show. It took a while, but now the actor has responded to her comments.

Pompeo appeared on her “Tell Me with Ellen Pompeo” podcast last year, saying it was difficult for her to work with Washington when he helmed “The Sound of Silence,” which was the ninth episode of the 12th season of Grey’s Anatomy.

She also told Patrick Dempsey, who happened to be a guest on the podcast, that she and Washington “went at it” after she improvised a line of dialogue.

During Washington’s recent interview with Variety, he said that he doesn’t recall the incident and insists things are all good.

When asked about Pompeo’s comments, he replied, “No, no,” and then added that he cannot recall having a spat with Pompeo while on set. With a “slight grin,” as interviewer Clayton Davis noted, he then said, “But it’s all good.”

Pompeo detailed her exchange with Washington, saying he told her, “I’m the director, don’t tell him what to do.” In response, she said, “Listen, motherfucker, this is my show. This is my set. Who are you telling?” Despite the hostility, she maintained that it was an “amazing experience” to work with him. “So, we didn’t get through it without a fight, but that’s actors for you,” she said. “Passionate and fiery and that’s where you get the magic, and that’s where you get the good stuff. So, it was an amazing experience, it really was.”

She then added that she has the “utmost respect” for Washington as an actor and a director, and added he is “just one of the best to ever do it.”