Cuba Gooding Jr.

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

Cuba : 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: 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: We lived in a big house and had chauffeurs, we'd go backstage at the concerts and then in the fifth grade . . . bang! Rock bottom.

Cuba : 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!' To me, it was like that son of a bitch was holding me back from doing what I had to do - on his final audition for Jerry Maguire.

Cuba: I have never made a decision based on race and never will. I am admiring of my fellow peers, black film-makers and black actors and actresses. When Halle and Denzel won Oscars, I felt pride because I was black, but never did I analyse their win based on colour.