I never planned to win an Oscar. When I auditioned for Ray, I was just thinking about what a great project it would be.

I play a slave. How black is that? I have to wear chains. How whack is that? But don’t worry. I get free. I save my wife and I kill all the white people in the movie. How great is that?

Guys don't adapt as well as women do to getting their heart broken for the first time. It's tragic.

Every single thing in my life is built around race.

Then I was playing the piano at eight, and that helps you learn about women because most of the people I was playing for were women.

She still talks to me now, only now she talks to me in my dreams. And I can't wait to go to sleep tonight because we have a lot to talk about. I love you.

Give it up for Ray Charles and his beautiful legacy. And thank you, Ray Charles, for living.