So I am surrounded by educators.
Why act, not teach?
I was much better at it.
I always knew I was going to be an actor.
I said, You know what?
I will just play one and that will be so much better.
That has worked for me in a wonderful way.
He cast me in my very first movie [1977sA Piece of the Action].
He was an incredible mentor to me.
He felt very bad for me.
He sent me away with great tools.
Its a series I love,Motherland: Fort Salem.
I play the 45th president in an alternative world.
How did that happen?
I will never, ever forget Florence Watkins,Sister Act 2.
Ill never forgetA Piece of the Actionwith Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby.
I will never, ever forgetAbbott Elementaryand Barbara Howard.
Ill never forget Claudette inRay Donovan.
Ill never, ever forget what Ive been able to do in every generation that has kept me relevant.
I have no favorite because theyre all basically a rung on the ladder.
I see talent, whatever that might be.
I am able to see peoples strengths.
I dont know why, but I can see that and I like that.
I like myself just the way I am.
I take myself just as I am.
I work through my ups and my downs, and thats that.
Im very happy that I am that elder, the wise one that they respect.
When Barbara Howard speaks, people sit up straight.
When she gives the side-eye, people receive the message, and she doesnt have to say anything.
In fact, the side-eye is my love language.
