Denzel: Travolta Tragedy Still a 'Tough Situation'

June 12, 2009 — -- Nearly six months since his son's death, John Travolta is still in a "tough situation," Denzel Washington told "Good Morning America" Friday.

"Obviously, I had a chance to talk with him for quite a while," Washington said.

Two-time Oscar winner Washington co-stars with Travolta in "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3," Travolta's first movie since his 16-year-old son Jett's death in the Bahamas following a severe seizure.

In May, Washington told The Associated Press that Travolta was "still struggling" with his son's death and cited the tragedy as the main reason Travolta had not been promoting the movie.

"It's going to take time," Washington told the AP. Washington said in early May that he spoke with Travolta at length about the tragedy.

"More than talking to him, [I] listened to him for about two or three hours," Washington said. "What can you say? Just be there as a friend because he's such a sweet, sweet person."

Earlier this month Travolta posted a note on his Web site thanking his colleagues for promoting the movie without him .

"Their unselfish efforts have allowed my family the additional time to reconcile our loss," the message read.

"The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3," a movie Washington wouldn't call a remake of the 1979 film of the same name, tells the story of a disgruntled New Yorker named Ryder, played by Travolta, who takes a subway train full of passengers hostage. Walter Garber, played by Denzel Washington, is the civil service employee who happens to be at his desk when Ryder calls and announces his plans.

Washington, who described Travolta's performance as "brilliant," has received "high praise" for his performance, even garnering comparisons with the late, great Paul Newman.

"That's an honor," Washington said.