Dennis Haysbert

I have children, so I'm constantly worrying about the world they are going to inherit.

The intolerance of people against other people is growing and growing. And the thing is, this is not anything that's changed. This has been going on for years.

I went through a phase where all I was doing was commercials, and not that it was a bad thing, but I was referred to as 'the Allstate guy' as I was walking the streets. Someone comes up to you on the street, you would like them to know your name.

I've done a lot of different things in my life. I've parachuted, done some deep-sea diving. Inasmuch as it's safe to do, I can do it.

There are always different roles and questions to be asked about certain characters.

On my wall, along with my favorite football players and baseball players, I had Marlon Brando and Sir Laurence Olivier. These were childhood idols.

I knew I wanted to act since I was 10, but I didn't actually start acting until I was in high school. My favorite play was 'Lilies of the Field.'

I used to get really jealous of Ron Howard as Opie on 'The Andy Griffith Show' - we were the same age. I would just think, 'God, that little kid can work, and I can't!'

I grew up in Northern California, and theater is all there was. I didn't know how to go about starting a career when I was 10.

All my brothers have my father's voice.

I think the first time 'white' was used was in the 1600s. Generally, we were described by where we came from... All of a sudden, this word 'white' came through, and now everyone is going for their own sense of power... to figure out who's on top.

I've always been a big Western fan.

I'd like to get into the superhero genre. I'd love to do either a DC or a Marvel character.

I love romance films, especially between people of color, because we don't really explore that enough. I would love to do that.

When you're playing a good character, you have an idea that you're playing the hero and the good guy. Actually, I think you're more stymied playing the good guy than you are the bad guy. As the bad guy, you have no inhibitions. Nothing stops you from doing what it is you feel you have to do. You do it because it's what's required.

All of the directors I work with have their own unique gifts.

I look at Facebook a fair bit. I see what's posted. I see the travesties and illegalities of what police forces do. And I also see and understand that it is sanctioned by the general public - or we would do something.

I don't think it should matter to the American people what color skin is on their president. What should matter is the content of their character.

I think I'd make a great superhero. I'm serious. I want to play a superhero, and I've already got one in mind. I think I've still got the body for the costume, and it's something I really want to do.

Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying or getting overly angry or to maintain control.

I took one thing to heart that I heard from Sidney Poitier in 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.' And it resonated so much with me. He says: 'Dad, you always looked at yourself as a black man. I look at myself as a man.'

If I weren't an actor, I'd either be a teacher or a critic.

When you work on big commercial movies, of course there's more money involved and you can still do some good work. But with an independent, you get films that are really close to the writers' and directors' heart. Somehow it becomes a little deeper. A little more meat and not as much flash.

I like to think I'm multi-faceted. Actually, my favorite roles are roles like in 'Far from Heaven.' Y'know. Soft people. Loving people.

I love emotion. I love being in love. And showing that on screen. I think it's wonderful.