Quotes

I have never made a decision based on race and never will. I am admiring of my fellow peers, black filmmakers and black actors and actresses. When [Halle Berry] and [Denzel Washington] won Oscars, I felt pride because I was black, but never did I analyze their win based on color.

[on his final audition for Jerry Maguire (1996)] I came in there and did everything I had to do and the rest was history. So it was never like me sitting going, "Ah, there's Tom!" [Tom Cruise] To me, it was like that son of a bitch was holding me back from doing what I had to do.

[on his most embarrassing moment] That Oscar win, when I jumped around that damned stage!

Steven Spielberg came to me and said, 'I want you to be in Amistad (1997) and I said, 'It's a slave role; show me the money. I'm so a big thing,' and he goes, 'I can direct you.' and I said, 'No, I have to pass.' To me, at the time, I remember this interview I read (with) Christopher Reeve talking about Superman. What other role could live up to being Superman; he was Superman. I bought into that. People were telling me (of Jerry Maguire (1996)), 'You're black, it's a comedy role, you're not gonna win this thing.' So, when I won it, it was like I had all these things in my life - 'This is what you are, this is what you've become... Now represent that. I have arrived and now I have to live up to this thing.' (I didn't know) the next day I should have rolled up my sleeves and said, 'OK, now let's continue on this journey.' Creatively, I stopped myself.

[on his biggest disappointment] I wanted to meet Quentin Tarantino for Django Unchained (2012) but he had Jamie Foxx in mind - that one hurt.

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