I had always been affected by films, as well, of course - and great films.

I was born in the 50s, my mom was pregnant in the 50s, [Frank] Sinatra had that big come back around then, From Here to Eternity.

I think back, when I saw The Great Gatsby, the film, my grandfather probably helped supply all the alcohol to all these Southampton parties, back then.

In an Italian household, there were two figures for me growing up - you had the Pope and you had Frank Sinatra, and, of course, Tony Bennett. And not necessarily in that order.

I've been going around the world; I've been to China, I sang at the General Assembly, the Security Council.

There was something in the bel canto, not just opera, but a certain style of Italian singing that I responded to deeply.

I met Quincy [Jones], he had heard my album, someone played the album and he flipped over it.

You have your children and it's hard to even hold it in - emotionally.

The music and the message, to me, is something that is imperative and that's what drives me know.

I had a different upbringing - my dad worked three jobs. You know, it wasn't as easy as they had it.

I had a little bit of a vocal strain at a certain period of time that made me lay off the singing, and while I was lying off the singing, I was pursuing the acting.

Only those who look with the eyes of children can lose themselves in the object of their wonder.

It turns out that sharing the past with someone is different from reliving it when you're alone. It feels less like a wound and more like a poultice.

God condemns those who oppress and take advantage of others.

I believe that I'm going to have a Grammy.

You need to become a good listener. As you're working, you hear someone else's lines and how you absorb them becomes your acting.

I've always felt like a teacher. Whenever I've learned something important, my reaction has always been to tell everybody about it. I read a book, I buy 100 copies and I send them out.

The darkness is my birthright.

The Senate is an unknowing world

Love is a great power, and such a strange power.

I truly believe that I have been given a second chance at life. I never expected the results I have had.