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Denzel Washington launches August Wilson House renovation

September 27, 2018 GMT

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Actor Denzel Washington smiles following an interview with Malachi Haynes and Fox News Anchor Chris Wallace at the National Press Club in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018. Boys & Girls Clubs of America has named Malachi Haynes the Southwest Youth of the Year. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

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PITTSBURGH (AP) — Actor Denzel Washington has helped mark the start of renovations at playwright August Wilson’s childhood home in Pittsburgh.

The Tribune-Review reports Washington headlined a ceremony at the house Wednesday. The actor led a $5 million fundraising effort to restore it. Renovations are to be completed in 2020, when the August Wilson House is to become a center for art and culture.

Washington directed a 2016 movie production of “Fences,” filmed the movie in Pittsburgh and plans to film other Wilson plays. He won a Tony in 2010 for his portrayal of protagonist Troy Maxson in the Broadway revival of “Fences.”

Paul Ellis, Wilson’s nephew, spearheaded the effort to restore the building to its 1950s-era look, matching how it appeared when Wilson lived there with his mother and five siblings.

Wilson died in 2005.

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Information from: Tribune-Review, http://triblive.com