My first in, my first break, was I met a director and got to talking with her, and she happened to be casting this movie that she had written. That was ten years ago. That got me to Hollywood. I got paid $700 bucks.
I think it's very rare, as an actor, that you get to a script, or an idea of a script, and you go, "Oh, I just have to do that!" It fell into place very quickly.
To play Cleopatra on Broadway would just be incredible.
David Lynch saw my picture in a casting agent's office in Seattle. I got a call to see him, and the rest is history.
I would even love to do a Bengali film if a good offer is made to me.
I was in the National Academy of Fine Arts and Design, on a scholarship. I was - still am - an artist. They were looking for an actor for 'Take a Giant Step,' and a producer liked my look and asked if I could act. I said, 'Yep!' Then I got into acting more or less just to make money for paints and canvases.
I fell into acting by going to a callback for J.C. Penney with my two older brothers when I was 4 1/2 years old. The casting director saw me and asked to bring me in the room with them. The three of us ended up booking the commercial!
When I auditioned for '21 Jump Street,' it was a last minute thing. I had one of the worst flus that I've ever experienced in my life, and I was forced to go to the audition, the screen test.
Stanley Kramer? Spencer Tracy? No one turns down being in a movie with them.
It's no good being the best actor in the world if nobody sees you because you didn't happen to be there at the right day when a part was being cast.
My first acting role as a kid was on 'Freaks and Geeks.'
I was so flattered to be asked to be in the movies - the idea of being paid to act was heady stuff.
My first big break was 'White Chicks.' I had only been acting for about two years and I certainly didn't feel like I was ready for such an opportunity. It could only be the hand of God blessing me. I accept everything I'm given with great appreciation.
Terry Malick offered me three parts in 'The Thin Red Line.' I was busy shooting other movies while he asked me the first two.
Anytime you have an opportunity as an actor to really grow along with your character, I think that's a real gift.
If 'New Girl' had been a movie, I don't know whether I would have been given the opportunity to do it.
There's really nothing but one audition for a Disney Channel movie that separates me from 2,000 other brown-haired, blue-eyed guys in L.A., you know?
I would love to do something dramatic. I don't know if anybody will ever give me the chance, but I would love to try it. I'm trained in acting and spent many years working on it, so it's just a matter of opportunity.
When 'Director's Kut' called me and asked to come for an audition, I went for it but there was no response for a couple of days. Then I got a chance to meet Rajan Shahi and discuss the character. I liked Pammi the moment I heard about the character.
I would love to find myself in a position where I have to decide, 'Gosh, do I want to be on a series?'
As a kid, 'The Monkees' was such a cool show. I had such a thrill saying, 'OMG, I was in a sketch with one of the Monkees.'
I wanted to do - there was this film called 'Magic' that Anthony Hopkins did. And the director wanted me. The writer wanted me. Joe Levine said no, I don't want any comedians in this.
I like it when actors get an opportunity to chew into something. They love scenes with beginnings, middles, and ends - scenes that give an arc to their characters and allow audiences to get to know these people.
I don't see how it's a risky thing to take a great part with a great director and a great script. That, to me, is not really a dangerous, risky proposition. It's actually a really good choice.
I did 'Narnia' because it was a good opportunity and all that, but really? I wanted to play Mr. Tumnus because he's my favourite children's character. That was awesome.
