Study your craft, first. Then explore the business side. If you can commit to mastering both, then you're ready to pursue acting as a living. I really want people to understand that you can't take shortcuts.

I would love to have a complete family. I'd love to do it all at once. I'd love to be able to give to my children what my parents were able to give to me. And if I'm blessed to be able to do that, fantastic. If I'm not, then life goes on. You have to do the best you can. I do think we have to bring the family back; I do.

One of my heroes is Mr. Sidney Poitier. In his autobiography, "The Measure of a Man," he talks about the difference between being a great person and being a great actor. I'm happiest when I'm acting, and I've dedicated my life to it. Still, as much as I love acting, at the end of the day, I want to be remembered as a great person, first, and as a great actor, second. I believe that acting is a talent while being a great person encompasses so much more: being a good father, a good husband and the ability to show compassion for others.

My parents, God bless 'em, were very supportive of me and my decision to pursue acting. Their dream for me and my sister was that we graduate from college. And as soon as I fulfilled that, they were extremely supportive of what I wanted to do next. I will always be grateful to them for that, because I wouldn't be where I am today without their help and encouragement.

Study your craft, first. Then explore the business side. If you can commit to mastering both, then you're ready to pursue acting as a living. I really want people to understand that you can't take shortcuts.

I wasn't smart enough to read relationship books when I was coming up. I learned everything the hard way.

For me, my first big heartbreak is actually sports-related. The team went out and got spanked on our home field. I'll never forget how I cried after the game, because I'd been denied the opportunity to help the team in the championship game. It was like the coach forgot what had gotten us there. So, I never got to hold the trophy or savor a state championship. And I'll never forget that first bitter heartbreak.