MEKHI PHIFER

Eating right has made the biggest difference in my body.

I grew up in a rough environment. You want to be strong and have your presence felt out there. That attitude reflects how people see you.

Rap is definitely a youthful expression.

With my first son I cut his umbilical cord and everything, so I'm a hands-on father, to say the least.

I don't really like hospitals that much. People are sick; sometimes it can be depressing. There's people going through a lot of pain in there. It has that funny smell.

There's no question that I'm African-American. OK? I'm a black man. We're not going to escape that.

I always try to bring a certain masculine presence to what I do. That is part of the dynamic.

I love working with Sally Field, and Steve Buscemi is one of the most giving, talented actors I've ever worked with.

When break dancing was out, I break danced. When rapping was the thing, I freestyled rap on the street and battled and all that kind of stuff.

I know a lot of people who are weak, who are in a perpetual cycle of poverty and being locked up. There are guys from my neighborhood who are in jail or who are dead. It does take a certain strength to know your environment and say, 'I can grow beyond it.'

Once or twice a week, I try to do some kind of boxing. I'm hitting the bags and jumping rope - all that stuff.

Actors look at life in a different way. When I meet people, I know that one day I may portray that person or someone like them. It may be a cop or a homeless guy. It helps you to pay more attention to people. Everyone I meet, I retain something from them, something from their personality. It helps me to portray realism in my work.

I'm an avid watcher of the Nat Geo channel, where I watch shows about how the planets are formed, and shows about moons, quasars, black holes.

I've dated interracially a lot. I grew up in Harlem, so I've dated Latins, Dominican, Guyanese, Cuban, black, white.

I love kids, outings, camping, sports, Legoland, all the Daddy stuff. I love it. I wish I could just do that, but I have to work, too.

I'm a soccer dad at heart. I want five kids, and I want to get married. I want to coach Little League.

It's always a pleasure when you get to work with people that you actually really like.

I tend to play more true-to-life characters in real situations.

When you're working and making money, that's all good, but there has to be something that provides a substance, I think.

I've done 21 films in eight years, and I've said 'No' more times than I've done films.

Wales was great. The people were great, and I had a great time there.

I hated how Sam Rothstein got manipulated by Sharon Stone's character in 'Casino.' I mean, I just hate how he gets manipulated; that just gets ridiculous to me. I know it's historic, but I hated that.

Anytime you join a show that's been successful, there's a certain responsibility. And a lot of anxiety that, you know, you're bringing the character to life, respecting the show and doing your part. So that you are not the weak link in the chain.

It's nice to always have been able to remain consistent. I'm very thankful for that and to work on shows that I can be proud of, and films.

I've gotten to travel all over the world and meet all kinds of people and do all kinds of great things, so it's, like, surreal. It just lets you know how time flies, especially when you're having fun. It seems like time keeps going by faster as I get older.