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

I feel that we have come a long way as American people, and we have to start looking at ourselves as human beings.

Many times - especially when I'm playing an historical character - I want to be really on target with how I create that character and really nuanced with who that human being might be. But I don't want to lose the likeness of me or the depth of my own personality. So meditation and my spirituality has helped me to realize that, yes, I want to get out of the way but I also want the ability to hold on to what the audience likes of what they see of me.

I had to work from a young age.

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.

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

Cable was a blessing for me. Thank god, I've done a show that's going to be iconic. So, if I screw up, it's all right because I already have something that's going to be iconic.