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Blair Underwood Quotes

Powerful Blair Underwood for Daily Growth

About Blair Underwood

Blair Underwood, born on August 25, 1964, in Washington D.C., is an accomplished American actor, director, and producer who has made significant strides in the entertainment industry over three decades. His multifaceted career spans television, film, and theatre, earning him critical acclaim and numerous accolades. Underwood's passion for acting was ignited at Howard University, where he studied drama. Notable performances during his college years included a lead role in the stage production of 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When The Rainbow Is Enuf.' After graduation, Underwood made his television debut in 1989 with the role of Jonathan Rollins on the acclaimed legal drama 'L.A. Law.' This breakthrough performance led to a string of successful roles, including the title character in 'The Cosby Mysteries' and Dr. Ralph Abernathy in the miniseries 'King' (1998). In 2003, Underwood landed his most iconic role as President Josiah Bartlet's Chief of Staff on the political drama 'The West Wing.' For his portrayal, he received three Screen Actors Guild Awards and an Emmy nomination. Apart from acting, Underwood has directed episodes for television series like 'ER,' 'Boston Legal,' and 'Grey's Anatomy.' He made his feature film directorial debut in 2018 with the biopic 'The Intruder.' Throughout his career, Underwood has consistently used his platform to address social issues. He serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and is actively involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors. Underwood's impact on both entertainment and society makes him an influential figure in American culture.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"You can't be what you can't see."

This quote emphasizes the importance of visibility in shaping aspirations and self-concepts, especially for marginalized or underrepresented groups. It suggests that if one does not see someone like themselves succeeding in a particular role or field, they may lack the inspiration to pursue it themselves. In other words, exposure to positive role models can provide motivation and a roadmap for personal achievement.

"I have a tendency to live my life fearlessly and unapologetically."

This quote suggests that Blair Underwood leads his life with courage, boldness, and without regret for his choices. He embraces his actions freely, making decisions that align with his values and convictions, regardless of potential criticism or fear. It implies a person who is not afraid to take risks, stand up for what they believe in, and live authentically.

"Success is not just about what you achieve, it's about who you become."

This quote highlights that success goes beyond achieving material or professional milestones. Instead, it emphasizes the personal growth and transformation one experiences during the journey towards success. In essence, success is not solely defined by accomplishments but also by the positive qualities, values, and character traits an individual acquires along the way.

"I believe that life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving."

This quote by Blair Underwood suggests that maintaining stability and balance in life requires constant motion and progression. Just as a bicyclist must pedal to stay upright, we must actively engage with our lives through growth, learning, and action, to maintain harmony and avoid falling. In essence, it's a call to keep moving forward, adapt, and embrace change to find balance in life.

"You have to be honest with yourself first and foremost before you can ever hope to be honest with anyone else."

The quote emphasizes the importance of self-honesty as a foundation for honesty with others. It suggests that having an honest relationship with oneself, understanding one's thoughts, feelings, and intentions, is essential to build and maintain trustworthy relationships with others. Being truthful to ourselves first allows us to better navigate our interactions and communicate authentically, fostering deeper connections and promoting a sense of integrity in our personal and professional lives.

My son had his eighth birthday recently and we had a chance to borrow the film and show it to all of his friends that was at his birthday party and they loved it. I was a little nervous. I said they might not even like it, and say his daddy's movie is wack, but they loved it.

- Blair Underwood

Birthday, Movie, Show, Eighth

Sex in the City was a different kind of phenomenon because of the show itself is a phenomenon and to me that's successful because to resonate with women across the board for six years and have only one African-American actor pass through for one episode.

- Blair Underwood

City, Through, Show, African-American

I think one of the most difficult challenges in show business is the challenge of longevity and to constantly realize and reveal what's already been there - like doing stage and singing and dancing in New York. I haven't been that far out of my comfort zone in a while.

- Blair Underwood

Dancing, Doing, Been, Comfort Zone

It's just different discipline, just doing the voice over. I guess I've done about 5 or 6 audio books in the past and I do the animated voice for a show called Fatherhood on Nickelodeon.

- Blair Underwood

Voice, Over, In The Past, Animated

I won't go into detail but this animated one, the story line is very cool and the kids seem to love it.

- Blair Underwood

Love, Line, Very, Animated

The hope is they would like to bring it to Broadway next year, so we'll see that's to come in the end of the finance year and everybody else and also real estate and what theaters are available at the time but I would like to come back with it.

- Blair Underwood

Next, Broadway, Everybody, Theaters

Now it's a fully realized production but for the fact that we're holding our scripts in our hand and some of us used them, and some of us didn't and you have to by union rules hold the script. You don't have to use them but you gotta hold them.

- Blair Underwood

Fact, Some, Production, Scripts

You never know how things will last, if they will last, and how people will use them in the future. It was a fun movie for young people at the time in the 80s; but it struck a cord with people and it has lasted so I'm very proud of being a part of that.

- Blair Underwood

Young, Movie, Very, Struck

I'll tell you what 20 years teaches you - is that if one thing doesn't last something else will come down the pipe and to go from that and to do these films now.

- Blair Underwood

Will, Last, Films, Pipe

It's a music video but she was real specific on the character that Mary J. Blige was playing, and that I was playing in this video and I told her whenever you get to jump to the big screen I'd love to come with you and she honored that.

- Blair Underwood

Love, Big, Screen, Music Video

When I doing dinner theater in high school, I was talking to a woman who had been in the business for a while and I said I want to act, that's all I want to do with my life and she said if you're serious then you need to hone every discipline you can.

- Blair Underwood

My Life, Doing, Been, Hone

It could be a great script but the director is not the right person for me to work for at this time. So there are a lot of elements that come into play and a lot of variables, but more than anything it's got to be a great script and a great character.

- Blair Underwood

Right Person, Play, Got, Great Script

I haven't done a lot of things in my career that my kids can watch, because they are 8, 6 and 3, and they are pretty young; so given the concepts that the film was about a superhero, it was a black superhero, and it was a father and son type partnership.

- Blair Underwood

Career, Superhero, Young, Father And Son

I haven't done a great deal of it but this was a chance to do more and bring it to that part of the business and even more so, but the fact that it was a black superhero was really the catalyst to me.

- Blair Underwood

Chance, Fact, Deal, Great Deal

Two packed houses. I guess the theater sat 2,700 people every night so it was an amazing experience.

- Blair Underwood

Experience, Night, Sat, Every Night

It's about strengthening the relationship and the bond of parent to child.

- Blair Underwood

Parent, About, Strengthening, Bond

I tell you one of the great things about this movie is, with all that's going on around the world right now, it's just good to go to a movie where you don't have to think too hard, just have a good time, and relax and be crazy.

- Blair Underwood

Tell, Movie, About, Good Time

That is the thing I'm most grateful for in this industry to be able to spin in those different mediums, with television, film and the stage - at this stage of the game.

- Blair Underwood

Grateful, Game, Television, Mediums

I heard we'll get you a pass because we know you're married to a black woman. You're married to a sister so we'll give you that pass but also, those who know me but also if they look at the body of work, it is the bigger picture.

- Blair Underwood

Woman, Body, Get, Sister

I'd rather say no and have said no and do say no often. I walk away from projects if it doesn't feel right; if it's not the right team of people pulling in together or if the script isn't right. It could be a great idea but the script doesn't work.

- Blair Underwood

Away, Rather, Projects, Pulling

All you can do is do the best you can and I did that. I had a great time. I made a product and I was not embarrassed by it at all so you do it and you move on.

- Blair Underwood

Product, Great Time, Move, Move On

In terms of the black female audience, usually if you're true to that character but more so in your body of work if you've proven that you love your sisters and you proven you will come back home like in 42.4% they'll give you a pass when you jump ship. I hear it all the time.

- Blair Underwood

Love, Ship, Back, Jump

My Soul to Keep is the ultimate love story with a black man and a black woman. I call it the ultimate love story. It's about an immortal. We're shooting for this Fall and that's been a six year development right there.

- Blair Underwood

Love, Woman, Been, Love Story

So it's a source of fun and a source of pride to have been a part of this little movie that could.

- Blair Underwood

Movie, Been, Could, Pride

The voice over is a hat you put on right now as opposed to worrying about going through wardrobe, and having to look a certain way. You just got to let your voice do the talking for you.

- Blair Underwood

Voice, Through, Over, Worrying

To be still standing 20 years in this business is a great feeling, I can't even tell you.

- Blair Underwood

Tell, Still, Great Feeling, Standing

It's something that was very interesting to me to be a part of and all of them again because of the relationship. Some of the superhero movies are better than others.

- Blair Underwood

Interesting, Some, Very, Superhero

Our deal always was that we did one as scripted always, we got it like we thought we needed - so we were all happy with it as written. Then I'd let him play as long as we had time.

- Blair Underwood

Play, Deal, Always, Scripted

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