Denzel Washington: It's the Play

Denzel Washington, left, and co-star Viola Davis, hold their Tony Awards for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play and a Leading Actress in a Play, both for "Fences" in New York, Sunday, June 13, 2010. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

/ David Goldman

NEW YORK (CBS) First-time Tony winner Denzel Washington would have you believe it's the play - and not his acting - that garnered him the best actor in a play award for "Fences" at the 2010 Tony Awards in New York.

"Its one of the best plays, Pulitzer Prize winning," he told the media in the press room. "It's a great play."

Washington also described himself as "really happy."

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"I'm blessed with everything," he said.

His "Fences" co-star Viola Davis, also had kind things to say about the play and her role in it: "Every once in a while a job comes around that speaks to your heart."

It was Washington's first Tony and Davis' second. Davis, who was nominated for an Oscar two years ago for her role in "Doubt" won a Tony in 2001 for her performance in "King Hedley II."

A five-time Oscar nominee, Washington won for best supporting actor in 1990 ("Glory") and for best actor in 2002 ("Training Day").