My youngest uncle Randy and I were the first members of our entire family to ever go to college.

If you live in an oppressive society, you've got to be resilient. You can't let each little thing crush you. You have take every encounter and make yourself larger, rather than allow yourself to be diminished by it.

Even during the rationing period, during World War II, we didn't have the anxiety that we'd starve, because we grew our own potatoes, you know? And our own hogs, and our own cows and stuff, you know.

I love doing commercials! Usually, they have enough money that they can take time and photograph it well.

The inclusiveness of the Drama League luncheon is one of the most exciting things about it. I get to see old friends and meet new friends. Of course I can't tell who anybody is if they're under the age of 75. So my old friends become my new friends.

I knew real show business from my father, who had been an actor since he left the world of boxing.

The last thing I want to be is a rich black superstar. I just want to act.