Most of all, I dislike this idea nowadays that if you're a black person in America, then you must be called African-American. Listen, I've visited Africa, and I've got news for everyone: I'm not an African.

[On writing to Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple:] I told her I would play a Venetian blind, dirt on the floor, anything.

I am the American Dream. I am the epitome of what the American Dream basically said. It said you could come from anywhere and be anything you want in this country. That's exactly what I've done.

Things happen to you out of luck, and if you get to stick around it's because you're talented.

I don't look like Halle Berry. But chances are, she's going to end up looking like me.

I won once [an Oscar]. So it can't be that racist.

If you're willing to stand for what you believe in ... you won't need advice from me, because you will be able to handle whatever comes.