For minority actors, developing our own projects has to be the eventual path. We have a lot of stories to tell and a really unique voice. But none of that is going to be heard as long as we're just the hired hands, acting.

You have to find what makes you stable in the storm. Then, no matter what's happening round you, no matter what the hype or the publicity, you can still manage to make leaps in your work as an artist.

Just give me a good role that allows me to hone my craft, and I am a pretty happy camper.

I've been in California for about 15 years now. You're always in your car and insulated. I miss New York so much.

If you're afraid to live your life in a glass bubble, how can you do what we do in this industry?

Celebrity hits like a bomb.

In my college years, I worked as a union labor organizer. I was just one of the many workers trying to do my part to help the community.

There's something so familial and intimate between a boxer and his trainer.

I'm an actor. I love to act. That's my job. I'll leave the politicking to others.

It's less about the physical training, in the end, than it is about the mental preparation: boxing is a chess game. You have to be skilled enough and have trained hard enough to know how many different ways you can counterattack in any situation, at any moment.

There are no right and wrong ways to work in this business, but there are some basic common-sense practices. Work very, very hard and always be prepared; never give up; and once you get the job, give them more than they ever expected: - Shine!

I am a firm believer in education and have worked very hard to tell young Latinos that they must go to college and that, if possible, they should pursue an advanced degree. I am convinced that education is the great equalizer.

I like the gypsy aspect of this business.

When we are out there selling a new picture, when did it become part of the deal that you have to sell the family? To use the juicy part of your life to get attention? I'm not blaming the reporters. It's the system.

For minority actors, developing our own projects has to be the eventual path. We have a lot of stories to tell and a really unique voice. But none of that is going to be heard as long as we're just the hired hands, acting.

I've been very lucky to work on a wide variety of projects, including two long-run and top-10 dramatic television shows. That is why it is so important to offer a helping hand to the next generation of young Latinos coming up behind me.

I never thought television would or could be a long-term commitment.

'West Wing' was a show about politics.

An actor tries to be versatile, to immerse himself in a different culture.

As an actor and as a performer, I've felt that the education system has really helped me in a lot of ways... there was always a teacher or a professor along the way that kept pushing me to the next stage.

As an actor, I just want to keep mixing it up.

As an actor, it's hard to approach any character with negatives.

At first, I took theater courses on the side. Then, theater became my minor; then it was my major.

California has been very good to me in terms of the professional arena.

Doing a truncated series is like doing a long movie, which allows for a certain artistic freedom. After just 12 episodes, you can take a breather and do other things for your career.

Education is the key in so many ways.

Every actor has to deal with what's on his plate, and I try to deal with doing the best work possible with the most challenging scripts. I don't base it on whether it's a feature film or a TV-movie or cable.

Everything in moderation, like calories.

For me, the bottom line is what's on the page.

Growing up in New York, we lived all around the city depending on our economic circumstance. I also lived in Puerto Rico for a number of years.

How come actors feel like they have to give some kind of personal revelation attached to the project?

I almost feel like sometimes when I'm on location, you miss your home and your family and all that stuff, but it keeps you focused on the work.

I am very Latino in everything I am and I do, but there's a part of me that's also something else. I'm reflective of the way this country's gonna be in the next 40 years. More multicultural is what we'll see.

I can't get into talking about why another actor left. It has nothing to do with me.

I couldn't see myself doing a traditional sitcom.

I do want to be involved in quality projects that say something positive about the Latino community.

I don't feel I have to acknowledge how I'm doing by an award.

I don't know... I don't think you can trust any of Kurt's characters. That's how Mr. Sutter operates: nothing is what it seems.

I don't want to have the bounds put on me in terms of mediums.

I feel a responsibility to try and give back. I see young people out there who are trained, and any way I can help them and give them an opportunity is gratifying.

I get my jolt of energy in New York. I get mi familia vibe in New York.

I grew up in New York City, and I've got wonderful memories of the Fourth of July fireworks.

I had opportunities to stay on shows for long periods of time, and maybe financially that would have been good, but I feel good about trying to keep doing things that are a little bit different than what I've done.

I have and will continue to vigorously pursue opportunities in all mediums.

I have been in rooms with people arguing over a character that's not really fleshed out: that, just because the surname is Latino, that automatically means you have an accent.

I have carried the burden of being a role model for some time. And that's great. The body of work I've done has afforded me that opportunity.

I have no tattoos at all - it was a huge undertaking for me in the '80s to let my parents know I was piercing my ear when I did 'L.A. Law.'

I left 'L.A. Law' after five years when my contract was up because I felt I had done all I could do with the character. I didn't walk off the show with a three-picture deal to pursue this wonderful film career.

I save the rage for the stage.