Movies

What Robert McCall’s Real Job Was Before The Equalizer

BBG News

In the “The Equalizer” films, Robert McCall (played by Denzel Washington) is an exceptionally skilled individual whose abilities stem from his enigmatic past. Following Edward Woodward’s portrayal of McCall in the television series, Washington took on the role for the 2014 film adaptation. This movie chronicles the story of a solitary man who transforms into a guardian for those in need.

In the initial film, McCall can be found employed at a hardware store, watching over his fellow workers. However, when compelled, he demonstrates his abilities in combat, stealth, and weaponry against the Russian mafia. Washington reprised his role for the sequels of The Equalizer, expanding McCall’s past and further showcasing his remarkable vigilante actions.

McCall has established himself as one of Washington’s most renowned figures, and there’s speculation he might reappear in The Equalizer 4. Yet, McCall is also a character who operates covertly, unraveling his background and origins necessitates a more thorough exploration.

Robert McCall’s Past Jobs Before The Equalizer Explained

McCall Was In The Marines And Then The Black-Ops

It’s no wonder that Robert McCall, who has a considerable number of kills from the The Equalizer films, hails from a military background. In fact, it appears that McCall served in the Marines, reaching the rank of Gunnery Sergeant as indicated by a picture showing him in his military uniform. Eventually, he departed the Marine Corps and took up employment with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).

In the course of his work at the Defense Intelligence Agency, McCall found himself on a clandestine operations team, suggested to have been involved in targeted killings and secret missions. It was during this period that he forged relationships with significant figures who would later feature in the Equalizer series, such as CIA agent Susan Plummer (Melissa Leo) and DIA operative Dave York (Pedro Pascal).

How McCall Ended Up Retired & Working In A Hardware Store

McCall Found Love And Left His Old Life Behind

It might seem unexpected that Robert McCall, with his military background, spends the initial scenes of The Equalizer in a hardware store. However, McCall’s past is complex, marked by a desire to escape from a morally ambiguous role in the military and forge a fresh start, which was sadly cut short when he lost the reason for his transformation.

During McCall’s tenure at DIA, he encountered and developed feelings for a woman named Vivienne. McCall confided that he had made some mistakes in his past, but vowed to Vivienne to distance himself from those errors. In order to be with Vivienne, McCall orchestrated a staged death scene involving a car bomb.

Tragically, Vivienne passed away from cancer at a later point. He continues to preserve her memory by fulfilling her goal of reading “the 100 Books Everybody Should Read.” Additionally, her spirit motivated him to return to the world of violence in The Equalizer, where he employs his talents not for personal gain, but to honor his pledge to her and assist others.

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2025-07-04 18:07

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