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You grew up in New Orleans, and you go back there a lot.
I always think about my first night in New York.
I remember my reaction, like,man, I am in a different world.
Now my fathers 93, and Im gonna go home next week just to check on him.
My father was so against me becoming an actor.
And then I realized years later something that I had never known about my father.
He wanted to be a photographer.
So, his reticence against me being an actor really came from that.
You move between TV, movies, and theater a lot.
The key I always thought to my career would be diversity.
A diversity of not only the jot down of work that you do, but the mediums.
Speaking of TV, were coming up on the tenth anniversary ofThe Wire.
That show has such a legacy.
Also, it connects people and people appreciate it across time and place and generation.
It freaked me out.
I met so many people who were like, Oh my goodness, youre fromThe Wire.
They had the same reaction that people from here have.
I was sad to hear about Reg E. Catheys death.
In that moment, you were the person he was closest to.
Now shes inBlack Pantherin the midst of a nearly all-black cast.
A lot of times, assumptions are made about communities, about actors.
It takes them so long to get toBlack Pantherbecause they always say that black movies dont do well overseas.
And yet its gonna be a huge global phenomenon in a couple of days.
What happens is sometimes we let down our guards thinking that weve changed.
In times like this, people go, Oh, its a resurgence.
Im like, No, we just lifted the veil.
You played Meghan Markles father onSuits.
Do you have any hope of getting to go to the royal wedding?I dont have any expectations.
Im very happy for her.
I did not know they were engaged, but I knew.
I care about her like a good TV father should.
Youre working on a lot of different projects at once.
The Billie Holiday [Theater] is one that Ill focus on because I spent years in Brooklyn.
I love that theater.
Classical Theatre of Harlem is another Ive worked with several times.
He knew I had that sensibility.
He said, We have an opportunity to work with a young playwright like James Anthony Tyler.
So, thats the legacy that I want to build and thats what Im trying to do.
Have some interest in the field about where you will go and learn how to do it.
It shouldnt be happenstance.
You dont have to get the full classical training, but you should at least take some class.
Juilliard gave me the ability to go and do classical, contemporary, comedy, drama, everything.
You wouldnt trust a writer who doesnt read.
I tell people all the time, get some training and become a student of your craft.
My education about how to do this is ongoing.
Im getting one right now from Roger Robinson.
Roger can make the simple act of lifting a spoon of yogurt into a work of art.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
