I think many people have contradictions to them and I love characters that deal with those contradictions.

I never like to refer back to anything I've done when I'm working on a character, even if that character has the same occupation.

What helps me is yogic breathing, dropping my spiritual level where I am really, really clear that I am playing a character.

I feel that sometimes, holding yourself as black, saying that is your sole identity, can sometimes stand in your way of being a member of the humanity of man, being a member of the family of the divine.

I feel that if you can transcend the color of your skin, with your talent, why carry that as a badge or a label?

For me, what I try to heal is the major thing that I think all of us go through, where we came from. From our family of origin.

It was amazing to be nominated by the Academy who saw fit for me to be nominated for best supporting actor. The Critic's choice award was wonderful. I'm on cloud nine.