Any good piece of material like Shakespeare ought to be open to reinterpretation.

[Black people] come into the world exactly like you. It's just that there are circumstances in the culture that are dictated and put on our lives that we have to fight against.

In marriage, if you're a guy, learn two phrases. One is "yes, dear" and the other is "honey, you're right." Be patient. Be good friends first. And stick together. You gotta work at it. It's not all a honeymoon, it's not all flowers and roses, but if you're friends and partners and committed, you'll be okay. And everybody's got advice for you - don't listen.

I’ve found that nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks.

As the filmmaker, yes, I have to look out for everybody. But I don't have to know everybody's approach.

That's what I tell young actors. "You don't have to compromise. Go do some theater and wait for an appropriate role."

My role 14 years ago in Richard III - that was the first time I played a bad guy and learned a lot about it - they have all the fun!