As an actor, you’re used to putting on characters, taking them off, becoming someone else, doing your research, and working on that.
Don’t settle for average. Bring your best to the moment. Then, whether it fails or succeeds, at least you know you gave all you had. We need to live the best that’s in us.
I remembered that throughout my growing up and education and pursuing my dreams and desires, going into acting, and, of course, getting through Yale University and on and on and on, that being average, being mediocre was not an option that you should be proud of.
Drink a bunch of water and get facials regularly. I take care of my skin.
The world has white people and black people in it. Even in Harlem.
I hope I just continue to be passionate about the roles and to always endeavor to bring clarity and honesty to the table and different ideas.
I think if you’re able to do over the course of your career 20, 30, 50 very wonderful rich characters, you’d rather have that than an Oscar.
I’m the type of individual that I enjoy watching any different cultural lives, and I see the common humanity even though the hair textures are different or the skin tones are varied.
People confuse the person and the part.
I deal in a very artistic way of what interests me and marks my passion, and I try to – whether its good or not – am in love with acting and the stage and characters and the ability to reach and to touch people, so that’s where, I guess, that’s where my heart will reside, by and large.
Maybe if you’re younger you have more energy – but that’s a big maybe. Because at this stage of life, I have more patience, understanding, wisdom, resources – and a husband. I didn’t get him until I was 39. But I got a good one.
It’s more than just saying lines and turning the light on. You have to drive the story – there’s a technical aspect.
I don’t really like horror shows, horror movies, or any of that. I’m really a lightweight, in terms of that.
I’m thinking about directing, but I know it’s a lot of work and I appreciate what directors do and I would like to be good at it. The opportunity has presented itself four to five times, and I usually said no because of the script.
My mom was always pretty supportive. She saw me do plays and she’d always act out the parts I did.
My mom was always pretty supportive. She saw me do plays and she’d always act out the parts I did. My aunt, who played a big part in my life, was a little bit more reserved, because if they don’t see you on TV every week they think you must be starving.
I guess I’m breaking out a little of what’s comfortable and easy.
I love vegan choices, raw food choices, and I’ll eat whatever I have to in order to get into whatever shape I need to get into for any one particular role.
Of course you want to do all the research that you can, but it’s impossible to take a life and the boundaries of an hour and a half, so there is hope there will be understanding about that also.
I like the nice guys. I like when they show the stories, the human element behind it all.
Memories are meant to fade, Lenny. They’re designed that way for a reason.