Some musicians play blues, others classical jazz or bluegrass. I like to play political roles because I can merge my political interests with my creative interests.

For lack of any clearer idea, I just started acting one day. It had been in the back of my head for a while, but I think in some ways I was afraid to do it, and finally I just stepped up.

Having been born and raised in Washington, D.C., you kind of absorb politics when you grow up. And it continues to be a focus of mine, probably more than what is healthy for me.

When you go to a restaurant, the less you know about what happens in the kitchen, the more you enjoy your meal.

The great thing about movies is that they're collaborative. And the worst thing is that they're collaborative.

And it's one reason why I don't go to a lot of movies - they're more and more dominated by corporate values and fiscal concerns as opposed to cinematic concerns.

I like New York because you're kind of forced to smell everybody else's funk. So it keeps you biologically attached to the world around you.