I never thought I was pretty. I couldn't even put on eyelashes or makeup.

Coming from the '50s, things were very violent.

Oh, there's going to be debate because you're dealing with the Bible and religion is supposed to be separate from state and that to me is already a conflict before it even hits the gay issue.

Anything involving the camera, you're passionate about. Because there's no movies without it.

I tell young actresses today who are looking to get into films, "First of all, you are marginalized by the color of your skin." I tell actresses, "If you're too tall, if you're too fat, you're not going to work. I don't care how talented you are." It's a business, and sex sells. Sex, action, special effects, and violence sell. Yes, you can have art films about the triumph of the human spirit and all of that, but you'll have it done with a big-budget icon with a $20 million salary.

Sometimes I'm angry, sometimes I'm not angry.

I felt beauty was a magnet for abuse, and I had suffered greatly for it.