MORRIS CHESTNUT

I enjoy what I do, but it's more challenging than people think.

I'm getting to the point where they see me as a good actor, rather than just a good guy who can act.

At one point, people thought that Eddie Murphy would only reach one sector of the audience, but now everyone sees everything Eddie Murphy does.

You can become really pigeon-holed in this industry.

I've been in a situation where I was after the money.

I am just another fireman because the story focuses on Joaquin Phoenix's character, but I play Joaquin's close friend and I get burned up a little bit, but I don't die.

Some people make a career out of doing one thing, but I wanted to diversify my body of work.

You have to be insane to direct.

You go from movies where you are wearing nice clothes and you're trying to smell good to a movie where you are in water and you are wet all day, and you are dealing with that elements, it gets rough, but it was definitely something I wanted to try.

I would never want any of my kids to go into this industry; not until they are old enough to understand and if this is something that they really want to do.

I think the best type of action movie combines a love story with the action.

I'm not going to take my shirt off in every movie.

It's not always about the money.

A lot of times, women don't get the male perspective in regards to a relationship, what men go through when they're not really dealing well.

I'm just happy to be working consistently.

When you are the lead in a romantic comedy, you have to worry about people really liking you.

To me the work is so much more interesting, the parts that don't require you just to take your shirt off.

I want to tell stories for everyone, primarily.

I hate being cold and I hate being wet and around 80% percent of this film I was cold and another 60% I was cold and wet, so it wasn't the best shoot for me.

And I think from a male perspective, we have men talking about their feelings and it being okay.

Showtime has given new, young filmmakers - black, white, across the board - an opportunity to make films, as well as actors who want to cross over into directing.

Oh yeah, I'm a huge romance fan. And some women like action.

Nah, I'm not a prima donna, but I just don't like being cold and wet.

I think that Mos Def is the best actor, but when you talk about rappers in films, I don't really think the quality of the acting is most important because most rappers are put in movies because of the personality and people want to see that.

I would like more challenging roles. I definitely would like to something that's more challenging.