Very early on, when I started doing these plays and live shows, I would travel from city to city, and there were a million shows out there... so I wanted to step out among it, and I started putting my name above the title.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I did a guest thing on 'My Name Is Earl,' and there is something about being involved in a TV show that's in the midst of its popularity that frees up the creative process.
I take great pride in recalling that I could open in a play on Broadway or in London's West End and fill a theatre on the strength of my name - Steed's name.
I wanted to take on my full name, which was sort of a crazy thing to do considering that we're in Hollywood.
My stage name is actually my nickname given to me by my dad when I was a baby.
I did all this standup comedy in college, and from that point on, I tried to develop myself and get my name back out there.
The names are bigger, the show is worldwide, but I get a royal pass into life in the broadcasting business.
Having a stage name is like having a Superman complex. I go into the telephone booth as Eric Bishop and come out as Jamie Foxx.
I was never in the business of trying to put my name out there - I was really focused on music and records and being in the studio.
I would never want my name on something that I did not write most of. Part of television is you get rewritten.
The stage calls my name.