Scatman Crothers

“My acting has got to be natural. I didn't go to any drama schools. It's a gift from God.”

“I was the first black man on television.”

“The Shining is my fourth picture with Jack Nicholson, or as he says, our fourth 'classic.'”

“I went to the driving range and hit a couple of good shots and I was hooked. Now I have six putters, including one engraved with my name.”

“You know, it's nice being an overnight success after 50 years.”

“I'm always relaxed.”

“A lot of people in Hollywood are on that ego trip. They think they're more than somebody else. I've told a lot of stars in my career, 'Hey, man you're looking down on the people who made you. lf you keep doing that, you're gonna fall back down.'”

“I came out with my five-piece group and opened at Billy Burke's Swing Oar. This was when Hollywood was really jumpin'. This was when Frankie Laine used to come in and ask if he could sing a number.”

“Color don't mean nothin'. 'Cause we're all God's children.”

“I was brought up in church, but when I confessed my errors, they put me out.”

“I think it's so foolish for people to try and hide their age. I don't understand that. You should be happy and glad to be living.”

“As a kid, I used to take the sheet off of my mother's bed, make a tent and put on a show for the neighborhood kids and charge them two packs of matches. Then, the show got so good I started charging a penny.”

“I love people. You've gotta keep that love in your heart for your fellow man.”

“You can be dressed the best and have a wicked heart.”

“I get a kick out of just working, making people happy - whether it be in the movies or just playing my guitar.”

“Jack Nicholson and I have been friends ever since we met while doing 'The King of Marvin Gardens.'”

“I was busy enough when I was just a musician. I wasn't making all that much money but I was busy.”

“We played, jazz, blues, dixie, and it all came from the church. When I went to church, I would see the sisters and brothers doing the same beat.”

“Call me the Scatman. I do quite a bit of scattin'.”

“I worked on a weekly one-hour show live from Los Angeles called 'The Dixie Boat Show.' We only had one camera, so there was a lot of panning because it was always on, and anything that went wrong, from actors fluffing their lines to sets falling down in mid-scene, you let it go by.”