David L. Wolper

My definition of a producer is 'the man with the dream.' ”

The minute I went into business, I was a success, and I've done well ever since. ”

Continuity is a wonderful thing, and it is a very rare thing in show business. ”

I'm not a kid trying to make an impression in the business. I do have 600 films out there that are playing constantly. ”

Somebody said something funny to me the other day. They said, 'Wolper, until two weeks ago, your tombstone was going to say, 'David Wolper, the man who produced 'Roots.' I think the tombstone now has a new inscription. It's going to be 'David Wolper, the man who produced the opening ceremony of the 1984 Olympics.' ”

I was the first independent to walk in with a documentary. ”

I had been an independent entrepreneur from the beginning, and I felt I could do it myself. I didn't want to get a job. ”

What prevailed was that it was a family story, so it didn't matter what the color. It was also the perfect subject matter for a miniseries: A best-selling book, a generational story, a social problem - they all made 'Roots' what a miniseries should be. ”

You need an actor who can maintain a character over a long period of time. If you have a weak actor, it won't be obvious in two hours, but you'll begin to see his weaknesses over four or five days. ”

My main contribution has been that I have educated and entertained people at the same time. ”