When you do a good theatrical production, sometimes you dream about that 8 o'clock curtain call for six months.
— Tony Todd
I tried the swimming team, but nobody came to the matches. But they did show up for the plays.
It's weird how your friends chart things. First it's, 'When are you going to get a job?' Then as soon as things started to happen, it's, 'We're proud of you. You represent us.'
Sunset Boulevard' is my favorite film.
Working on 'Candyman' in Chicago was probably the - I absolutely love this city, this city is so funky.
You know early on when you're given a gift that can keep you sane. That's what acting does for me. It keeps me honest and keeps me sane.
Although we're all in this to make a living, why not make something to make an impact? One day, I'll make a horror film. I think I know what the audience wants.
One of the things that motion capture and/or voice acting does is allow you to continue your career, change it, or bring a new aspect to it.
I collect Gottlieb games, and I play classic pinball.
I grew up on video games. When I was in college, even during snowstorms, I would go the half-mile to the drugstore to play 'Millipede.'
True story - When 'Candyman' first came out, my daughter and I were Christmas shopping, and people were harassing us. Finally my daughter puts down her shopping bag and said 'That's not Candyman! That's my dad!' I will never forget that, because that's when we really bonded.
The black community has always been a fan of horror films, but in terms of the participants, they've been few and far between.
As far as 'Final Destination' and its creator, Jeffrey Reddick, are concerned, whenever Jeffrey calls, because of our friendship, I have to listen.
Worth' was a script that was sent to me, and I felt it was something different and important to do.
I think you have a responsibility as an artist to continually reach a hand out and try and inspire people.
I'm ready to go up to the Danny Glover level.
It's not like I wakeup everyday and say, 'You know what, I need to do a horror film.' Statistically it's only like forty percent of my output but it's a great ride and the fan base is really dedicated and that's always cool. When you're lucky enough to be in a good one it's fantastic.
It's like going back home… It really is a family on '24.'
I had a great childhood. My priorities were straight.
But you have to be told you're special first before you believe it yourself. I was first told I was special by my aunt. The second person was my scoutmaster.
I love film noir, so Billy Wilder is like my favorite director of all time.
The work I did with Artists Collective led me to a scholarship at Uconn… It led to me getting a scholarship at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center and a scholarship at Trinity Rep in Providence.
Most actors do that. They fill in the blanks. You don't want to play a cipher.
I get sent horror scripts every week and most of them are putrid. A lot of people think it's an easy medium but it's not. Not if you want to make ones that last.
Dude, I've played almost every position except for President. When I did 'The Event,' I was head of the CIA. When I did 'Chuck,' I was head of the NSA. For a guy that's a hippie at heart, I don't know where they think of this.
I remember watching 'Abbott and Costello vs Frankenstein' continuously as a kid and being amazed that my horror legends were making a comedy.
Yes, I would like to be involved in something that would hopefully be a blockbuster, but I'm interested in seeing new filmmakers telling new stories and to able to help them do that.
I grew up a poor kid to a single mom, so as an African-American actor I have a responsibility to hold the mirror up and reflect our stories. I'm living the dream and also escaped the inevitable.
I'm a big fan of advertising during sports events.
I remember my first professional paycheck. I couldn't keep it as a memento because I needed the money, but I have kept some of the residuals that I get. I got one the other day that was for two cents. I might put that in a frame.
I was a ‘Trekkie' growing up.
Duane Jones is a personal hero of mine.
With film sometimes you're thrown in there and you literally hit the ground running, taking your best shot and just leave it up to the editing.
The ability to be frightening with stillness is what appeals to me.
I can't speak to what makes people think that I'm scary.
But the people who give me the best reality check are my children.
My first assignment was a curtain-puller for 'The Curious Savage.'
Chicago's a great city for filming. The city is so rich architecturally. I think that's part of what made 'Candyman' special.
In my mind, I'm not scary at all. I'm channeling my inner Cary Grant!
But my career's so much deeper than just horror.
I like critical failures. It makes you work harder.
I hustled my way through college playing pinball.
Dude, I've been a gamer ever since Intellivision.
When I was a kid I really loved Humphrey Bogart. But when I was in theater school, Robert DeNiro was my go-to guy.
Everybody loves a horror story because it's a roller coaster ride -you wait for the slow ride to the top then speed down with all the bumps, twists and turns.
I almost did 'Doctor Strange.' I went in to do a session to play Dormammu.
Whenever I can make it work out, and schedule permitting, I like to help young filmmakers.
I've played four roles on 'Star Trek.' My favorite episode was 'The Visitor' on 'Deep Space Nine.'
Whenever I do something, particularly if it's a cameo, I make sure that I have a backstory written out so that I can talk to the director intelligent and try to communicate a three-dimensional character.
I grew up a single kid and so my whole childhood was spent in my backyard dealing with imaginary circumstances and role playing and stuff.
