I think the bottom of the totem pole is African-American women, or women of colour. I think they get the least opportunities in Hollywood.

I don't concern myself with award. I'd been to the party enough times to know it really didn't matter.

My father was a minister for 50 years with Pentecostal Church of God in Christ. We prayed about everything, every day, then he always said, "Amen. God is love." I thought God is love was one word. Like "Godislove." And it took me a long time to learn what that really meant.

I'll be working with Ridley's [Scott] brother, Tony, again, someone who needless to say we've had a great amount of success together. I trust him - so I won't have to think about it or I'll try not to.

It just happened that we did [Fences] seven years ago on Broadway. Scott Rudin brought me August Wilson's original screenplay for it, and I realized I hadn't read the play. So I read it. Then I realized that Troy (my character) was 53 - and I was 55 at the time. I realized I better hurry up! I might be too old!

To protect the sheep, you gotta catch the wolf. And it takes a wolf to catch a wolf, you understand?

Hate, hatred for yourself, for other people, will confine you, but love can set you free.