Denzel Washington decided to try his hand at directing because he fears his career as an actor is coming to an end. The Oscar winner stars in and directs new movie The Great Debaters, his second stint behind the camera after 2002's Antwone Fisher.

And the 52-year-old reveals he was inspired to direct by both "curiosity" and his desire to keep working when no-one else will cast him.

Washington says, "I was getting a little bored just sitting in the trailer, waiting for my part. And looking down the line I'm thinking, there's gonna be a day maybe when they don't call as much.

"Really, I'm surprised it took this long. It's just curiosity. Not wanting to settle. Wanting to learn something new."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)