I knew real show business from my father, who had been an actor since he left the world of boxing.
My grandmother though, began to prepare in her own neurotic – and I think psychotic – way to face racism. So she taught us to be racist, which is something I had to undo later when I got to Michigan, you know.
My grandmother had the most dramatic effect on my life because she set me in one direction, and I had to go back the other direction for my sanity, and for my ability to be a social human being.
I was as content Off-Broadway as I was in a big Hollywood movie, and, I just try to be content wherever I am, you know.
I’d like to film a British commercial; they’re better than American ones.
I consider myself a novice film actor.
I got out of the Army – in my world – I came to New York, for instance, when the civil rights movement was just beginning, and that created a certain energy, a certain rumble, a certain impetus for black actors.
My voice is for hire. My endorsement is not for hire. I will do a voice-over, but I cannot endorse without making a different kind of commitment. My politics are very personal and subjective.
You sang in church, you know, and you didn’t act at all. You tried not to act, you tried to tell the truth. The idea of being a troubadour on the road singing for your supper was very disturbing to him.
We children learned responsibility automatically.
Trying to make someone fall in love with you is about as pointless as trying to control who you fall in love with.
The last thing I want to be is a rich black superstar. I just want to act.
There is a very fine line between love and nausea.
I agree with my father, Albert Einstein, don’t believe every quote you read on the internet.
The inclusiveness of the Drama League luncheon is one of the most exciting things about it. I get to see old friends and meet new friends. Of course I can’t tell who anybody is if they’re under the age of 75. So my old friends become my new friends.
I found my voice in books...
Your own need to be shines out of any dream or creation you imagine.
So by the time I got to Michigan I was a stutterer. I couldn’t talk. So my first year of school was my first mute year and then those mute years continued until I got to high school.
The goal wasn’t to be a millionaire or to be a Hollywood star. That was not the goal. The goal was something about – the goal was to find the goal, but I knew where it was.
I was an adopted child of my grandparents, and I don’t know how I can ever express my gratitude for that, because my parents would have been a mess, you know.