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Howard Hughes was obsessed with me. But at first it seemed as if he were offering me a superb career opportunity.

When I was in high school, I remember writing a research paper, and the teacher said I should write about Langston Hughes. I felt as if I was the only black dude who didn't like Langston Hughes. He didn't seem as dark and layered as someone like Flannery O'Connor.

I grew up around backstage, and that clinched it for me.

In the years since I worked with John Hughes, there were many years where I literally had hundred of doors slammed in my face because I wasn't that kid anymore, and I wasn't a character actor, and I wasn't a leading man, and I wasn't whatever Hollywood was looking for.

I was born in 1942, so I was mainly aware of Howard Hughes' name on RKO Radio Pictures.

I was a backstage kid. I was in the wings looking out.

You can talk about Michael Jackson all you want, but John Hughes was the soundtrack to my 1980s life.

My biggest influences as an actor were Marlon Brando, and I really dug James Dean.

I was going out for absolutely everything that was in Backstage.

I saw Louis Armstrong perform at Albany State College on Radio Springs Road. He was probably the first famous individual I saw in concert. Unfortunately, I never did get to meet him.