The Rat Pack was the piece that really kicked me out of that little funk that I was in and then Ted called me up and asked me if I wanted to be the dad in Blow.

One day my dad would say 'OK if you want to play tennis I can help you out.' And that's how it started. And I had a goal. I wanted to beat my mom first. And my parents and my brother. And that was the ultimate goal.

My dad of course like a lot of Asian parents wanted me to be an engineer or doctor and never could understand why I would want to be a lawyer. And then when I first said I wanted to run for office he thought that was absolutely insane.

I'm sure there were times when I wish I had thought 'Gosh that might really embarrass mom and dad ' but our parents didn't raise us to think about them. They're very selfless and they wanted us to have as normal of a college life as possible. So really we didn't think of any repercussions.

It's not like he called me up and asked me. They've never wanted to throw us into that world and I think our decision probably shocked them. But I love my dad and I think I'd regret it if I didn't do this.

My Dad hated his job. He sold overcoats but he wanted to make movies. He had a failed career working with the Ritz Brothers - they were like the Marx Brothers only a tier below. I always had a picture in my mind of him in a straw hat.

I wanted to make a point of basing myself at home being close to my family. I'll never be able to repay Mum and Dad for what they did but at least they know they'll never have to work another day. I'll do whatever it takes to look after them.

I wanted to perform well for my mom and dad because in high school I didn't have a job. My brothers they worked at Pizza Hut or places like that but sports that was my way of giving back.

When I used to do musical theatre my dad refused to come backstage. He never wanted to see the props up close or the sets up close. He didn't want to see the magic.

My dad said: 'It looks like you'll be world No.1 in a few hours and I wanted to be the first to say congratulations.'