N. T. Rama Rao Jr. Quotes

My grandfather is the greatest man I'll ever know.

Very few people are blessed enough to call their father a legend, and an even smaller number are able to share that notion with the rest of the world.

Marlon Brando was the major influence in my life, though I never met him. And my father - we didn't get along, but he was an influence in terms of honesty and work ethic. That's the greatest compliment I could pay him.

Even though I never worked with her, it was still really cool to have Brooke Shields on set. She was so nice and so funny.

I grew up as a kid looking at artists like David Bowie and Prince; I really admired them.

I definitely look up to Meryl Streep because she's been in so many amazing movies, and I just think that she's one of the greatest actresses out there. I also look up to Jennifer Lawrence, especially knowing her and knowing that she is so awesome and so nice.

Ninety-nine percent of people now call me The Hoff - and it's out of respect.

I had this sort of idolatry for certain actors who preceded me, people who inspired me, so I'm honored to be that way for young actors.

People who have seen my movies don't look at me like an idol. They just give me a lot of love and respect.

People will ask, 'Are you famous?' And I always answer, 'My mother thinks so.'

How much more must this be so in my own case for I am conscious not only of the great names and achievements of those who have preceded me, but also of the living presence of many of my masters and teachers.

Two of my biggest heroes were my father and John Wayne.

My dad is so unique in what he does. It's not like I'm taking a torch from him and doing his thing. I hope I've carried from him a little bit of a sense of irony, a little bit of a wink.

I always see other people as predecessors and admire them.

I thought, 'OK, Melissa Gilbert is playing my mom, and I'm playing her old role - no pressure.' So I went up to Melissa and said, 'It's such an honor playing your daughter,' and she smiled and said, 'Oh, shut up.' I thought, 'Great, a normal person.'

I love being around great actors and film-makers, and I try to hide the fact that I'm in awe of them.

My father would have been impressed by Barack Obama's mind and style and grace of manner, as well as by - I'm certain - his abilities as a writer.

God, I don't think I could give advice when such other incredible actors have done it before me and done such amazing things. I think it would be unfair of me.

I adore Jane Lynch, so just to get the opportunity to work with her was phenomenal.

I think the first older artist I related to and loved was Bowie.

I've always been a big Cate Blanchett fan. Such a wonderful role model, the way she carries herself through her profession. She has so much grace to her, and so much intelligence. I've also always been a big Katharine Hepburn fan.

I think he's accomplished so much, I don't think it's fair to put me in the same category as Coach Payton. I think, hopefully, if you achieve even close to what he has in this league, then maybe you start to get mentioned.

These guys from the past really motivate me, much respect to the guys before me and the ones after me.

David Ortiz is almost like a superhero. The type of love that he gives and everything, the positivity that's around him - a lot of people admire him and respect him.

Whenever Michelle Kwan texts me or mentions my name, I'm like, 'Wow.' I still can't believe that this is someone who I grew up looking up to, and they know my name.