Derek Luke Quotes & Sayings

“I tried to copy some of his mannerisms at first but it didn't work. And then I just let the spirit of the character grow in me and it just took its rightful place. I started to speak the lines and it felt right.”

“I went to Jersey City State College to please a family member. I wasn't prepared for school. To say I failed out is putting it nicely.”

“A few years ago you couldn't go from TV to film. It was like a 'no no' but I believe when you find a plan and purpose that God has for your life, there's not anything man can do to you. Especially when your faith is not really standing in the wisdom of man, you're really standing in the wisdom of God.”

“Denzel Washington invoked confidence. When you have confidence, you can do anything. And that's what happened. I learned about being honest and keeping it true, keeping it true in my performance.”

“When your heart is first, you can be absent of heart but when you put spirit first, you have a reason for why you do heart.”

“I want what's mine. I see other actors who are doing very interesting roles, and I just want to continue to do things that are interesting, and things that people will go see in theaters.”

“I went to college for one semester, and I took every subject I could, and I ended up failing. So I thought to myself, Ever since I was a kid, I've loved expression - and that's when I started thinking about acting.”

“Hip-hop was my first audience - I would rap in the mirror, walk down the street and listen to my Walkman.”

“I think it's time to do clean-up for a generation. I believe this is one of the movies that hits home for all colors and all races. Everybody I talk to, black or white, suburban, rich or poor, can relate to rejection, can relate to not having a father or a mother.”

“Denzel Washington is a person I will always emulate. I emulate him because he focuses on real life. Because of that he has made me a better person.”