A biography for Mekhi Phiferhasn’t been written yet.
“I always try to pick and choose projects that will be impactful to someone. From films like 'Clockers' to playing a doctor on 'ER' to doing '8 Mile,' where I'm in charge of the hip-hop battles, I think it affects all kinds of different audiences. And I just try to keep that in mind, to keep people entertained.”
“I do like sci-fi, absolutely. I've watched everything from 'Star Trek' to 'Star Wars' to 'Terminator' - the list goes on and on.”
“I love working with Sally Field, and Steve Buscemi is one of the most giving, talented actors I've ever worked with.”
“I hated how Sam Rothstein got manipulated by Sharon Stone's character in 'Casino.' I mean, I just hate how he gets manipulated; that just gets ridiculous to me. I know it's historic, but I hated that.”
“I grew up in a rough environment. You want to be strong and have your presence felt out there. That attitude reflects how people see you.”
“It's always a pleasure when you get to work with people that you actually really like.”
“A lot of characters I've played have a certain amount of strength, pride, and leadership.”
“When break dancing was out, I break danced. When rapping was the thing, I freestyled rap on the street and battled and all that kind of stuff.”
“I've done 21 films in eight years, and I've said 'No' more times than I've done films.”
“I know a lot of people who are weak, who are in a perpetual cycle of poverty and being locked up. There are guys from my neighborhood who are in jail or who are dead. It does take a certain strength to know your environment and say, 'I can grow beyond it.'”
“I always try to bring a certain masculine presence to what I do. That is part of the dynamic.”
“Anytime you join a show that's been successful, there's a certain responsibility. And a lot of anxiety that, you know, you're bringing the character to life, respecting the show and doing your part. So that you are not the weak link in the chain.”
“I definitely applaud Netflix and all of those guys, whether it's Hulu or whoever, for doing original programming.”
“I'm an avid watcher of the Nat Geo channel, where I watch shows about how the planets are formed, and shows about moons, quasars, black holes.”
“With my first son I cut his umbilical cord and everything, so I'm a hands-on father, to say the least.”
“My agents usually get a breakdown of all the projects that are out there. When I got 'Divergent,' they hadn't finished the script. They knew they wanted the leader of the Dauntless to have a certain demeanor and energy. They had me read a short monologue, and I got the part.”
“I love kids, outings, camping, sports, Legoland, all the Daddy stuff. I love it. I wish I could just do that, but I have to work, too.”
“Wales was great. The people were great, and I had a great time there.”
“Being from New York, living in L.A., being in Chicago, you kind of get more of the big-city, melting-pot sort of thing. But when you drive through the country, there's so many small pockets of people that don't experience people of different backgrounds. So what they've seen on television is their baseline.”
“When you become an actor, at some point you look for something that brings you back to your roots. You find something that people around your neighborhood can relate to. People that you're close with can relate to.”