I grew up in Synagogue in the boys' choir. We didn't listen to music in the house; only at temple. Then I went to a mostly African American high school on the South Side of Chicago and joined a gospel choir.

But I loved the theatre and I was just doing theatre 24/7 and kept dropping courses because I didn't have the time and the chancellor thought that wasn't a good idea after awhile.

I feel the most alive when I'm singing. I also get to be the mail man for some of the most beautiful lyrics ever written.

I have no problem with violence, I have no problem playing horrible people.

When I was your age, I used to treat the crust like it was just there to hold the good stuff in. I used to leave the whole back end of it on the plate. As I got older, I learned to appreciate the crust.

People on both sides of any conflict believe they are right, whether it's on a TV show or in the real world.

When I'm on the road with concerts, people ask me to autograph my CDs, but more and more they come up with the cookbooks.