- Hi this is Jesse Williams at BuzzFeed in New York City
and apparently I am here to play with puppies
and answer fan questions simultaneously.
Told you I was talented.
(playful music)
Bring 'em in, bring 'em in.
These things can't be too-- ah that's cute.
Damn it, you're cute.
(laughing)
Hey buddies, what do you guys think I should answer first?
Let's go to the bottom.
First question.
As an actor, the one I enjoyed filming the most,
I'm gonna give you three.
One was in that big finale with the shooter
when my character, like, participated in saving Derek's life
and handling pressure.
The other two were the Japril, the movie episodes,
the one in Montana and the other one
that was all flashbacks.
Hmm, which one was yours?
Huh, not a fan, what do you mean?
And the other episodes I love are the ones I directed.
What's my biggest pet peeve?
Vagueness, it takes just as much time to be specific.
What was it like playing,
oh you've chosen some other ones too.
So, we've got a queue here.
Playing Marcus on Detroit was dope, it was awesome.
It was a lot of work, it was way harder than I thought
it would be.
My favorite ending is when I live.
I'll accept anything where you don't get me killed.
So, that's, I won't ask for much.
That was hard, the hardest decision I ever made
was transitioning.
I had no thought of being an actor at that point,
I just knew that I had creative ambitions.
I wanted to write films and shoot films
and I didn't wanna grow to resent my kids
because I was staying in the classroom,
which was the best job I ever had.
I miss it very dearly.
They've offered me this job many times
and the whole franchise really hinging
on whether I say yes or not.
None of 'em speaking out of turn
but if the money's right, is what I told 'em.
That's what I told the head of the studio, you know, pay me.
None of that is intended to be a factual statement.
It was probably when I moved to the suburbs
and saw how very, very differently people were treated there
than where I grew up in Chicago
and that didn't feel right at all, or fair, or necessary.
So, I figured there must be a way.
What are you doing, huh?
Okay I've already rolled the pants down
to a sufficient height
so you could also enjoy the socks, it's not,
you're like the fashion police dog.
I am behind on Game of Thrones, just the three episodes,
so don't spoil anything.
I desperately miss Colbert.
I am just now discovering The OA and trying to get caught up
so I can see the second season.
I did, once, at a party, walk up to and embrace an actress
'cause I thought we were long,
I thought we were friends and co-workers.
In mid hug I realized I don't know her at all
and whispered in her ear, I don't actually know you, do I?
And she said, nope.
And I calmly let her go and slowly backed out of the room.
That's a true story.
And it happened in Shonda Rhimes' home
and I didn't realize
I have not been invited back ever since.
I should text her.
There's, like, a joke answer and a real answer.
The few roles that I've really wanted and gotten
but then lost because of my activism.
Those can remain nameless.
There was a movie that I, when I first came to town.
I'll help you get the girls out.
There you go, you wanna get both.
Those aren't, they're not expensive, it's fine.
There was a movie called Battle LA, Battle of Los Angeles,
that I tested for like three times and was promised the job
and then didn't get it but if I had gotten it
I would have not have been in town for Grey's
and would have never gotten Grey's.
You know, sometimes a rejection is protection.
She's clearly my favorite and I'm hers.
What would I name her?
Hurry Up, probably, for James Brown.
Everybody dies in a fiery blaze.
I'm pitching that next week.
Just gonna tie these so you can untie them
and further destroy my footwear.
No, thank God.
We work together 15 hours a day, the last thing I want
is a text from them.
Our group is pretty irresponsible, so we'd likely
to text things accidentally like,
talk (beep) about each other.
Can I say that with puppies in the room?
Well, I'll stay on theme,
anything by Frank Ocean, right now.
My, my-- ladies, okay, discipline's important.
My biggest childhood fear
and what scares you now as an adult?
My biggest childhood fear was probably the police
and (chuckles) what scares me now?
Achieving my goals.
I'm not scared of the cops anymore.
Is that a cop?
I'll also add that all of these puppies here with us today,
very well tempered, are up for adoption
at North Shore Animal League America.
So, make sure to reach out, have a heart,
and adopt one if not two amazing puppies.
You can't have this one.
Thanks so much, this has been playing with puppies,
The Daily Show with your host Jesse Williams and come again.
(playful music)