Jimmy Smits

“I've always strived to keep mixing it up, keep doing different things, and work in all different parts of our business.”

“We're at a point right now in our development in this country - setting the immigration issue aside - that you can't ignore the sheer population of us in metropolitan areas all across the country, of how significant Latino-ness is in the United States.”

“I am very Latino in everything I am and I do, but there's a part of me that's also something else. I'm reflective of the way this country's gonna be in the next 40 years. More multicultural is what we'll see.”

“If you're given gifts or blessings in your life, it's up to you to help the guy coming up behind you.”

“I left 'L.A. Law' after five years when my contract was up because I felt I had done all I could do with the character. I didn't walk off the show with a three-picture deal to pursue this wonderful film career.”

“Media images are so important to young people feeling positive about themselves.”

“I'm happy David Caruso is out there working.”

“It's great to be able to play the 'bad guy' role, because you always get a lot to do, but I'm always looking at the why - how does a person get to that particular point.”

“I do want to be involved in quality projects that say something positive about the Latino community.”

“I was asked to speak at a bar association, because there's an upswing on college applications - in general and for Latinos - because of 'L.A. Law.' I went to a couple of functions, and I just felt an energy: It was, you're doing a good job, but do you realize how important it is?”

“I can't get into talking about why another actor left. It has nothing to do with me.”

“All my Latino side is from the Bronx.”

“I almost feel like sometimes when I'm on location, you miss your home and your family and all that stuff, but it keeps you focused on the work.”