Don't let people disrespect you. My mom says don't open the door to the devil. Surround yourself with positive people.

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

My wife and I have been together since 1986. I graduated in '86 and she graduated in '88. We began dating when she was 17. Actually she turned 18 when we started kissing and stuff.

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

If I told you I was a Republican and you were a Democrat, no matter what I said after that, it would be tempered with your opinions.

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

I think police officers are modern day heroes. I think they protect us.

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

When you see my performances, even people that you might have known, like Nicky Barnes in 'American Gangster,' you have to get over the fact that I look like Cuba Gooding, Jr. But once you find truth in the performance, if I'm doing my job right, you believe everything.

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

The hardest part was when I was in high school not having a job and always being broke. I had to get to auditions without a car. I either took the bus or walked.

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

When I won the Oscar, I fell into that mind-set that this is a precious role. People everywhere were shouting, 'Show me the money!' I just didn't want anything that could parody the fact that I was like a tagline in a movie. So when Steven Spielberg offered me 'Amistad,' I said no; when 'Hotel Rwanda' came along, I said no.

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

It wears on your soul when you take on the mental state of a dark character.

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Now, I have big-money offers on three movies, and I have director approval. That's kind of scary,' he says. 'No directors have been attached. That's a lot of pressure on me.

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

There are roles I want that my agency might not want me to do because of the subject matter or whatever. Or there are roles that people won't bring to me because they don't think I'll do it. And that is a big strain because an actor wants to act.

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

The Academy Awards was an amazing night. I know I kind of lost my mind a little bit. I apologize for that. That night went so fast; I can't remember what I said or what happened.

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

I'm not a prude. On the set, they called me 'Butt Naked.'

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

I understand it all. I can write my own ticket for one or two movies. But if they're not the right ones, my ticket gets yanked. I understand that's how it works, and I'm okay with it.

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Jonathan Lynn is one of the last actors Orsen Welles used in a production. It was wonderful. He's very sharp, very sharp. It's funny I've been asked how weird it was to have a Brit do a church gospel movie.

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

It's a director's job to tell a story and he's very well versed in telling stories with a bit of comedy in them and keeping the pace of the movie right and that's exactly what he did. He was observant of a world he didn't understand but he told a wonderful story.

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

I am admiring of my fellow peers, black filmmakers and black actors and actresses.

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

I have never made a decision based on race and never will.

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Before I was an actor I was a break dancer, one of those street performers you see. I guess my introduction into the professional world of performing was a stint as back up dancer for Lionel Richie and I performed at the closing ceremony at the '84 Olympics.

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

I speak to my agent about great roles, and he's like, 'They are all going to Will Smith.'

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

I rewind the TV every two minutes. If someone does something interesting, I have to see it over and over again.

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Cuba Gooding, Jr. Quotes

Don't let people disrespect you. My mom says don't open the door to the devil. Surround yourself with positive people.

My wife and I have been together since 1986. I graduated in '86 and she graduated in '88. We began dating when she was 17. Actually she turned 18 when we started kissing and stuff.

If I told you I was a Republican and you were a Democrat, no matter what I said after that, it would be tempered with your opinions.

I think police officers are modern day heroes. I think they protect us.

When you see my performances, even people that you might have known, like Nicky Barnes in 'American Gangster,' you have to get over the fact that I look like Cuba Gooding, Jr. But once you find truth in the performance, if I'm doing my job right, you believe everything.

The hardest part was when I was in high school not having a job and always being broke. I had to get to auditions without a car. I either took the bus or walked.

It wears on your soul when you take on the mental state of a dark character.

Now, I have big-money offers on three movies, and I have director approval. That's kind of scary,' he says. 'No directors have been attached. That's a lot of pressure on me.

There are roles I want that my agency might not want me to do because of the subject matter or whatever. Or there are roles that people won't bring to me because they don't think I'll do it. And that is a big strain because an actor wants to act.

The Academy Awards was an amazing night. I know I kind of lost my mind a little bit. I apologize for that. That night went so fast; I can't remember what I said or what happened.

I'm not a prude. On the set, they called me 'Butt Naked.'

I understand it all. I can write my own ticket for one or two movies. But if they're not the right ones, my ticket gets yanked. I understand that's how it works, and I'm okay with it.

Jonathan Lynn is one of the last actors Orsen Welles used in a production. It was wonderful. He's very sharp, very sharp. It's funny I've been asked how weird it was to have a Brit do a church gospel movie.

It's a director's job to tell a story and he's very well versed in telling stories with a bit of comedy in them and keeping the pace of the movie right and that's exactly what he did. He was observant of a world he didn't understand but he told a wonderful story.

I am admiring of my fellow peers, black filmmakers and black actors and actresses.

I have never made a decision based on race and never will.

Before I was an actor I was a break dancer, one of those street performers you see. I guess my introduction into the professional world of performing was a stint as back up dancer for Lionel Richie and I performed at the closing ceremony at the '84 Olympics.

I speak to my agent about great roles, and he's like, 'They are all going to Will Smith.'

I rewind the TV every two minutes. If someone does something interesting, I have to see it over and over again.