Isaiah Washington

Isaiah: (on being labeled a difficult actor) Hopefully I'll have an opportunity to address a lot of that down the road. It'd be very cleansing for my soul to let the fans and the general public see a side of me that I feel was horribly represented in the press.

Isaiah: I apologize to T.R., my colleagues, the fans of the show and especially the lesbian and gay community for using a word that is unacceptable in any context or circumstance, by repeating the word Monday night, I marred what should have been a perfect night for everyone who works on Grey's Anatomy. I can neither defend nor explain my behavior. I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I've asked for help. I know the power of words, especially those that demean. I realize that by using one filled with disrespect I have hurt more than T.R. and my colleagues. With one word, I've hurt everyone who has struggled for the respect so many of us take for granted. I welcome the chance to meet with leaders of the gay and lesbian community to apologize in person and to talk about what I can do to heal the wounds I've opened. T.R.'s courage throughout this entire episode speaks to his tremendous character. I hold his talent, and T.R. as a person, in high esteem. I know a mere apology will not end this, and I intend to let my future actions prove my sincerity.

Isaiah: I was young and dumb...And one day I popped off my mouth to the wrong person and got shot.

Isaiah: There was a time I didn't think I'd live past 25.

Isaiah: I have a hero complex. I like to get involved with things that are none of my business. It's gotten me in a lot of trouble.

Isaiah: (on his "Grey's Anatomy" character, Preston Burke) Burke's my hero. He's the guy that's pretty much black and white; there's no gray. Everything is based on merit - he's a taskmaster.

Isaiah: You don't have the time to "make the time" to do anything. You have to do it now!

Isaiah: I'm no longer going to play thugs or debauched cops that I can't possibly make complex characters. I'm bigger than that. I owe too much to too many good people at the Goodman, Arena and Playwrights Horizons.

Isaiah: Even if I'm playing a bad guy, I work hard to make him multi-leveled and interesting.