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

I got out of the Army - in my world - I came to New York, for instance, when the civil rights movement was just beginning, and that created a certain energy, a certain rumble, a certain impetus for black actors.

In the wintertime, in the snow country, citrus fruit was so rare, and if you got one, it was better than ambrosia.

Before my grandpa built his own church, we went to the neighboring town, and it was a white community. You know, up north, mostly middle European people and Indians, Chippewa Indians. We were welcome to that church, but once we got in, they didn't know what to do with us.

My voice is for hire. My endorsement is not for hire. I will do a voice-over, but I cannot endorse without making a different kind of commitment. My politics are very personal and subjective.

More and more, when I single out the person out who inspired me most, I go back to my grandfather.

I don't ever want to be a sentimentalist. I prefer to be a realist. I'm not a romantic really.