PHOTO: Denzel Washington & Wife

As an Academy member, Denzel Washington has a vote on who wins at the Oscars - but he has admitted to Sky News it is his wife who picks the winners, not him. The double Oscar-winner is one of hundreds of stars who get to nominate their favourite films and actors. But, during the promotion for his new film Safe House, Washington confessed to Sky News that his wife of 28 years, Pauletta, is the real decision-maker. "Actually, my wife watches all of the movies," he admitted. "You know, they send you the DVDs and she watches them all. "So she actually does the voting, I'll be honest with you. "I watch some of them, but she watches them all. She's like, 'Oh no, no, no - you don't want to put that one down.' "Actually, she really liked Drive and Drive wasn't even nominated for best picture. That was her favourite." This year, The Artist is tipped to win best film at the Oscars which take place on Sunday. Washington won the Best Actor Oscar for his role as a rogue cop in Training Day in 2001 after previously being awarded Best Supporting Actor for Glory in 1989. In his latest role, Washington plays a former CIA agent turned criminal, Tobin Frost, who has been on the run for more than a decade. The thriller involves high-speed car chases and brutal fight scenes. Washington, along with co-star Ryan Reynolds, did most of his own stunts for the film which was shot in Cape Town. "The fights were a good way to stay in shape. I box a lot so I enjoyed learning different styles," he said. The action thriller genre is one Washington appears to be drawn to with recent stints in The Book Of Eli and Unstoppable. But he insists when choosing a film it comes down to character and, at 57 years old, says he has no intention of giving up actions role just yet. "The action of it is really the least of it to me. I didn't look at this as an action movie. "I am more interested in the character and, if the character has to fight, drive fast or whatever, then that's what it takes. "Obviously, there'll come a time when you can't do that but I'm not there." He also laughed off suggestions he would retire anytime soon. "I have no plans to... I have bills to pay," he said. Washington thoroughly researched the role prior to filming by reading a book entitled The Sociopath Next Door. "The thing about a sociopath is they don't think they are bad, they think the world is bad and they are out to straighten everyone else out," he explained. "Interestingly, they say one in 25 people are sociopaths and the majority are not violent. "But they always want to win no matter what." Directed by Swedish filmmaker Daniel Espinosa, Safe House also stars Brendan Gleeson and Vera Farmiga. It is released in cinemas on Friday, February 24.