There was really a snobbery from people in film - they did not want people who had come from television. It was the poor relation of show business, and especially situation comedy.
Now that I've got some films under my belt, I have the courage of my convictions regarding acting. It gives me a leg to stand on.
I went to Howard University and majored in Film Production and minored in Acting. I turned down an opportunity to go pro in Track & Field to do this - I took a chance with this.
After 'Heart Skips A Beat' hit No.1, I barely had a chance to celebrate 'cos it was straight over to the judges' houses for the 'Xtra Factor,' filming in Greece, L.A. and Spain.
We like to make the Marvel comics films because they're fun. Families can go see them together. They're entertaining. They aspire to inspire, and that is cool.
My films are of paramount importance to me, the same as my family. That's not going to change. This is a balance I have to strike throughout my life.
Actors are agents of change. A film, a piece of theater, a piece of music, or a book can make a difference. It can change the world.
I'd say working on television is much, much tougher than films. But television has a great connect with a live audience, which is a refreshing change for us actors.
When people used to ask me why I got involved with Hollywood films, I would say jokingly that it was for the health insurance.
There is a certain moment in the film when the son is in the nursing home and he goes to the television and turns it off because he sees himself in the image.
After filming I like to go home and lie down with my daughter and have a glass of wine so I don't really socialize with the other actors.
You always make a film with the hope that all types of people will want to see your work and that it doesn't matter about your color, but unfortunately it still does.
I don't think I'm a total pessimist, so I think you can find hope in all my films.
My films are completely new. I am not similar to anybody in the history of movies.
Harrison Ford was pretty content as a carpenter who thought it would be nice to work on TV and ended up being the biggest film star in the history of cinema.
It's what you don't see that keeps you on the edge of your seat in any kind of film - leave it to the imagination of the viewer.
I can live without endless television programmes and films just centered around computers. I can sort of live without that.
When you do a film, you get picked up in a car, lunch is free. Theatre is really hard, and you get absolutely no money.
I never did films for the money or because I needed to buy a house or car. I do it because I love my job.
That is where the irony of the film comes off, in terms of the language it employs - where he tries desperately to be a 'TV Dad,' to give advice and it's so pat it becomes ridiculous.
Any film which views the darker side of life, which is death with a sense of humor, is very much to my taste.
