"Every new guest star had come up with something different. I thought it was kind of amusing. People would ask me for my pronunciation, and I told them it was more fun if they came up with their own."
TV Guide's Sci-Fi Q&A, September 1998
"Yes, just for the role. I actually have worn my hair quite long my whole life. I actually auditioned with very long hair."
Ultimate TV Chat, May 1999
"It would take 40-50 minutes to put it on, just that, just because it was three separate pieces. You'd have to put on a piece, wait for it to dry, put on a piece, wait for it to dry, put on a piece, wait for it to dry, then paint it, then paint on the stuff around it... Oh, I used to hate that! So then they came out with kind of an all-in-one type appliance so now it’s just 30 seconds."
GateGuide Interview, January 1999
"I don't know actually if it's an advantage, just because when you play an alien you have to put in something tangible and something abstract, it was difficult. I like to think it would have been easier if I'd some of the infrastructure already laid down and then had the ability to make it my own. It was inhibiting to have to come with all of Teal'c's nuances and his internal dialogue because that had never been fleshed out in the pilot, like you said it was a new role. It was up to me to create my own back-story, to shade the character in. I guess that's what you like to do as an actor and as far as that being an advantage or a disadvantage, I really think that's really neither here nor there, because both Rick and Michael and completely made them their own. If you see O'Neill and you see Daniel as to where they've progressed to now and showed it back to back with how they are portrayed in the movie, they are completely different. I think they have brought a wonderful life to their characters and hope that I've done the same with mine."
Prevue Chat 1998
"Originally, I believe Teal'c had one main objective and that was the liberation of his race. He was very straightforward in his vision and really had no interest whatsoever in such things as humour or establishing close and lasting relationships. When we first meet Teal' c, all he is concerned about is freeing his people, but as the show has progressed he has come to appreciate the complexities of personal relationships. At one time I think he would have sacrificed his own family if it meant his people would live in freedom but I don't think he'd do that now. Instead, he'd figure out some way to accomplish his task and safeguard his family. Over the past two seasons Teal'c has allowed a bit of his emotional self to shine through, although most of it is still well hidden under quite a few layers of sombreness." (He laughs) "I truly feel, though, that he now realises that he has to give more of himself if he hopes to build solid friendships with people who he would not only die for but also laugh, eat and celebrate life with. At first, he found if difficult to believe that people would want more from him than just his protection. But there are those who care enough to want to know who he is and what he's all about, and he's just beginning to understand the importance of this in his life."
TV Zone, June 1999
"It's not that Teal'c is monosyllabic, it's just that he says what needs to be said and only that."
"I think his relationship with O'Neill is one of mutual respect. The colonel is the closest to who Teal'c is, or at least was, a soldier who obeys orders but who doesn't always agree with those orders. I think it's because they are both fighting men that Teal'c probably feels that he has the most in common with O'Neill. He has a similar rapport with General Hammond, who reminds him of his teacher Bra'tac. Here is a brave man who has fought battles, been in tight spots and survived basically in the same way as Bra'tac and, like him, is passing on his wisdom and knowledge to young soldiers."
TV Zone, June 1999
"His relationship with Daniel is more or less based on curiosity. Teal'c is fascinated by humans and sometimes he's confused by how passionate Daniel is and how he is occasionally ruled by his emotions. Although Teal'c is getting better at understanding opposing views he still sees most things as being pretty cut and dry and either right or wrong. With him there's no standing on the fence and not being able to decide between two issues. Teal'c finds it interesting that Daniel is able to survive in the world making spur of the moment decisions and allowing his heart to guide him in certain instances. Teal' c has never really met anyone who makes a choice based solely on their heart without considering the repercussions and, just maybe, Teal'c slightly envies that."
TV Zone, June 1999
"As far as Carter and Teal'c, their relationship has been explored probably the least on the programme. Teal'c has never had camaraderie with a woman before and I kind of like that distance between the characters because Teal'c is unsure of how to approach her. He's also never dealt with a female as his equal on the battlefield, so that's been somewhat of an adjustment for him as well. I enjoy the scenes with Amanda and I'm hoping our two characters interact more with each other next [third] season."
TV Zone, June 1999
"I want more sex! Everyone else in the show has had the occasional dalliance, so Teal'c needs to get some. The writers have made quite a deal about the fact that I'm a big guy and am highly developed with regard to physical strength, but I would like to see more examples of Teal'c's superior intelligence. This guy is at the top of the gene pool. He was a leader amongst his own race. It's about time some of his finer attributes were explored. How often do you see the black guy as the leader unless it's some kind of warrior race? The writers of this show have a pretty good handle on bringing in the unexpected so I hope they'll bring some of that in for Teal'c. Failing that, I'll settle for the sex."
Cult Times, August 1999
"I'm the only person on the show that doesn't have love scenes. I had one scene actually with the girl who plays my wife on the show, but everyone else is getting romances with aliens and I stand around and be heroic. I want somebody to dig me!" (He laughs) "Some hot alien love."
Hollywood Spotlight chat 1999