Donald Frank Cheadle Jr. Quotes

We’re trying to do what Miles Davis would have wanted us to do, which is approach it as artists with his life as the canvas.

We’re always trailing, as far as the amount of roles that are written for us and the films that are being made that have black characters in them.

We’re always trailing, as far as the amount of roles that are written for us and the films that are being made that have black characters in them. I don’t know if that’s going to change.

The process changes slightly from role to role. Obviously, there are different things you’re called on to do. You’re not digging deep for Basher Tarr like I was for Paul Rusesabagina, but at the end of the day it’s still all make-believe and you still are trying as realistically as you can to depict these characters.

The fun for me is to mix it all up. I would actually like to do something as far away from what I’ve just done, just for my own personal joy and growth, for what I want to do.

So often when Black men have to play roles on TV, we’re either the noble savage or we’re completely a savage, and there’s no nuance.

President Obama inherited a broken country mired in two wars, a financial crisis, a mortgage mess and more than we all probably even know about and has in my opinion brought us back from the brink. But I still see my friends in no better shape and the gap widening.

People have always been obsessed by celebrities. There are just more outlets and opportunities to make a living exploiting that obsession nowadays.

Now is a good time, 10 years ago would have been a good time, and 10 years from now it will still be a good time to see a dynamic, entertaining movie that’s wall-to-wall Miles Davis where the music will hopefully spark some desire to know more about the man.

No, it’s not comfortable; I hate watching myself. You don’t like when you hear your voice on your voicemail; imagine having to see yourself 30 feet wide and 30 feet big.

Many of my friends and family are scratching it out somewhere decidedly south of the ever widening gap between the haves and have nots, looking at losing their homes, colleges they can’t afford and healthcare they can’t avail themselves of.

It’s great to be in a film that’s able to have people really want to become socially conscious, to walk out of the theatre and want to do something.

If people in this country think of Africa as a place with kids and flies swarming around their heads, then they won’t understand that these people are you and you are them.

I’ve never been a part of a film before that offers such a platform into real issues, that raises social awareness and has the potential to change things.

I’ve been doing this since I was 10 years old, inhabiting different people and playing different roles.

I was about to write that in the future I would chose my words more carefully but I’m sure I won’t.

I want to see somebody go to jail over the financial crisis and not just black, brown and poor whites over humbles and minor drug beefs.

I want to be a part of great things.

I used to record but just in my own studio or in my friend’s back when I toyed with the idea of being a rapper.

I understand what’s it like to work all week and on Friday night just want to go and leave your brain at the door, buy some popcorn and be thrilled by something.