You know, I consistently change in my own life so the roles I'm suitable for also change, and that's a really nice thing about this profession.
For whatever reason I tend to get roles that are more damaged.
I'm not just considered a former child star. I'm not considered a black actress. I'm not considered an actress. I've done roles that were written for men. First and foremost is God: I definitely believe in Him having kind of mapped out what my destiny was going to be.
The number of Latino roles is very limited, and it's unfortunate there isn't more color-blind casting.
I have noticed a growth in demand from audiences to include more women of colour and women to be cast as significant roles in TV shows and movies.
Your life is like a play with several acts. Some of the characters who enter have short roles to play, others, much larger. Some are villains and others are good guys. But all of them are necessary; otherwise, they wouldn't be in the play. Embrace them all, and move on to the next act.
Roles make the actor.
From the time I was 16 to really up until turning 21, the roles were really, really few and far between. I had people say that I just wasn't a good singer. They didn't know what to do with me; I would never fit in any markets. I almost quit acting altogether.
If organized religion has become less relevant, it's not because churches have held fast to their creedal beliefs - it's because they've held fast to their conventional structures, programs, roles and routines.
The whole point about becoming an actor is variety and changing roles.
I am good when there is something central about the character. There is always a human theme I attach myself to. I am really looking for something that is moving or enlightening or something with depth as an actor. I look for these kinds of roles.
Sometimes, I think I could have been a major movie star with the vast mansion and staff. I look at my Volvo and think it could be a limousine. I think of the roles I turned down. But then I wouldn't have had any children.
The progression of roles you take strings together a portrait of an actor, but it's a completely random process.
Learning operatic roles is ongoing, and I find that I can learn on the train or subway, during a manicure, getting my hair done, and even while driving if I only look at the score at red lights.
I am not afraid to play Latin roles - that was a big part of my life.
Coming out of 'Spy Kids,' I immediately wanted to do more grown-up roles, and I was turning down a lot of the kind of younger, cheesier roles.
I definitely don't look my age. So I actively look for roles that will help people change their perception of me.
I've sort of left the theater just for little shoots here and there - little one-off series or small roles in films or whatever.
The culture of critique undermines the spirit not only of people in public roles but of those who read about them, afraid to believe in anyone or anything because the next story... will tell them why they shouldn't.
What I want to do is play roles as a black man, instead of playing black man's roles. You know?
There aren't a lot of roles written for women who are strong willed.
Immigration was a huge force in changing my outlook. I moved to America 30 years ago. I had to reassess my beliefs, especially about women's roles.
I just want to keep writing characters who are interesting and complicated people and interesting roles for women, in TV or film or in theater. I think that's like my 'Blues Brothers' mission.
I've never cared for the idea of a career path, or where a film might 'take me.' My love is for acting not money, so I only take on roles that I find challenging, in stories I find interesting.
I don't see money or a particular status as an actor as a goal, but I want to do the best work I can in as interesting a range of roles as I can.
I think you work on the roles that draw you in and the stories you want to tell.
I always approach comedy roles pretending they aren't funny.
Assuming roles is something that simply won't work for me, since I don't have a style. None at all.
I'm getting a lot of roles as women who are very powerful. I think that's a reflection of me as a person.
I want, through my roles, to express the parts in the hearts of Chinese women that they feel unable to let out.
Well, I think certain roles are chosen for us. The moment I read Pete Campbell I thought: I can do this, this is mine. And in Money, too. The truth is I turn down a lot of projects. If a character doesn't have some kind of internal struggle, it's no good for me.
Acting is about covering up traces of who you are and just being the character. I think it's easier to accept people in roles if you don't know a lot about them.
You are the only you. That means you don't lose roles to anybody else. There's no competition, so they either want you or they don't want you, and it's not that they wanted someone else over you.
If I were to wait only for roles that clarify my racial makeup, I'd be waiting for a very, very long time.
I've worked really hard to bring something more to 'pretty girl' roles over the years. I consider it a challenge.
There are so many talented actresses in Korea right now, but they're not seen because there aren't roles in which they can show their talents.
