While visiting Atlanta, Ga., recently to promote his new film, Fences, Denzel Washington "reconnected with a very special figure from his past" when he visited an assisted living community in Marietta to wish Miss Connie, his childhood librarian, a happy 99th birthday, People magazine reported. Although they had not seen each other in nearly 50 years, the retired librarian "never forgot the day Washington, around seven years old at the time, came to the children's department of the Mount Vernon public library to ask for a book."
After learning of a video that friends at Miss Connie's assisted living community had posted on YouTube featuring her discussing memories of Washington, he called her and said he had never stopped reading. They made plans to meet when he was in town.
Brooke Munson, executive director of Atria Senior Living, said Washington "spent quite a bit of time with us. He came in and gave Miss Connie a kiss on the cheek. They held hands and he was even kind enough to get his mother on the phone so she could chat with us for a few minutes."
Another staff member said Washington told them: "You don't know where the road is going to take you, and who you're going to meet that will have an impact on your life. This lady had an incredible impact on my life, and now here I am."