[Martin] Scorsese probably could have directed Schindler's List and [Steven] Spielberg probably could have directed Goodfellas. But it's as much to do with the difference in culture as it is with race.

Meryl and Katharine Hepburn are probably the two greatest actresses of this and the last century.

We'll all retire from life at some point. The great thing about acting is you don't necessarily have to retire.

It's very important to transcend places that hold us.

I'm very proud to be black, but black is not all I am. That's my cultural historical background, my genetic make-up, but it's not all of who I am nor is it the basis from which I answer every question.

If I am a cup maker, I'm interested in making the best cup I possibly can. My effort goes into that cup, not what people think about it.

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