I actually study boxing - my dad was a Golden Gloves champion so I learned how to fight at a very young age. Growing up in Brooklyn you always had to watch your back so I pretty much learned to protect myself.

From my first dunk at 14 years old to my second NCAA Championship at the University of Tennessee my intense training with my dad was always to credit.

I always wanted to be a father. I have a beautiful relationship with my dad and beautiful memories. I always knew I was going to have a family.

I was really bright as a kid and tested well and it was clear that I was going to get scholarships to any schools I wanted. My dad always said I could be an engineer at that time it was the elite of society: steady job working in science which was then the answer to every problem we had. It was kind of a mandate. Kind of a dream he had for me.

We always had lutefisk for Christmas dinner after which Dad read from the Norwegian Bible.

My dad always said I was hard-headed that it would take something like that to wake me up spiritually and I guess it did. My heart had gotten so beat up that I didn't have anything left to give.

Work ethic has always been stressed in my family. My dad is going to be 80 years old and he still works part time. My mom just retired a couple years ago and she's in her mid- to late 70s.

My dad is very successful in his business. He's always been big in having hobbies and having little ways to get away. He always made time for hunting and fishing. He always encouraged me to do it.

From my dad I learned to be good to people to always be honest and straightforward. I learned hard work and perseverance.

My dad has always been very proud of me but I think I have exceeded his expectations. When I told him I wanted to be an actor and moved to New York City I think he assumed I would be playing the guitar on the subway and collecting spare change in my guitar case. The fact that I'm not doing that means that I'm a huge success.