LOS ANGELES—“I was able to have some nicknames and have some fun,” he said. Boy, did he have some fun and kept us confused and amused with his ever-changing moniker: Diddy. P Diddy. Puff. Puff Daddy. Puffy.

Those different names matched his various titles: record and TV producer, fashion mogul, rapper, actor and promoter—the list goes on.

But now, drum roll, please, he announced, “As an actor, I’m Sean Combs. Music is different—it’s looser. But I’m serious with this so I’m Sean Combs.”

“This” involves a TV film version of “A Raisin in the Sun,” the first play written by an African-American woman, Lorraine Hansberry, to be produced on Broadway (in 1959). Sean made his stage debut in the Broadway revival of the drama about a struggling black family coping with race and other issues in 1950s Chicago. In the screen adaptation, Sean again plays the role of Walter Lee, Jr., which was originated by Sidney Poitier.

The Grammy-winning mogul does quite well opposite such actresses as Phylicia Rashad, Audra McDonald and Sanaa Lathan.

At 38, Sean, who had a serious relationship with Jennifer Lopez, has never been married. Below are excerpts of our press con with the former altar boy who grew up to lead a controversial, tumultuous life but racked up many accomplishments as he juggled various careers.

You grew up with your grandmother. How did that shape you?
My life has more in common with this role than people realize. My father was killed when I was 3 years old. I grew up in a family with three women—my mother, grandmother and sister. It’s a very unique dynamic to grow up with three women. It shapes and moulds you. It slows down your transition into being a man because they take care and baby you. But they taught me morals, work ethic and the importance of taking care of one’s family. I was brought up to believe I could do anything.

What forced you to grow up and be a man?
At my most successful time in music, when I was 22, I lost my job (as an A&R executive at Uptown Records). I got fired. I was being very aggressive, immature and arrogant. I just had a baby. It forced me to really step back and see how I disappointed my family, myself and the man I was working for. It changed my life. I had to grow up quick.

How about when you were younger—did you also have a defining moment?
When I was 11, I asked my mother if she could buy me a pair of sneakers. I know it sounds simple but she just didn’t have the money. The look I saw on her face really hurt me because she was embarrassed she didn’t have the money. From that day, I was like, I don’t want to see that look on her face ever again. My first big scheme was to deliver newspapers. It was my dream to be able to buy my mother something or to help out with the bills.

When you finally had some money…
I went crazy. I bought everything that I could for my family and everybody.

Having grown up without a father, how important is it for you to be a father to your own children?
I have six children. I wish my father was there when I was growing up but my mother filled those shoes very well. She taught me to treat other people well. That’s how I brought up my kids. My proudest moment is when people meet my kids and they say, “They’re so well-mannered. They’re so nice.”

Since you have multiple accomplishments, do you see yourself as a rapper, actor, record and fashion mogul or entrepreneur?
I see myself as an entertainer. Now my focus is, I want to be considered and respected as an actor.

I have evolved a lot. Musically, my persona was big, boisterous and in your face. But I’ve grown to the point where I could show my true side. I’m quiet, soft-spoken and even shy.

Do you still experience racial discrimination?
I experience it all the time and it still hurts to this day. I could be in a hotel and walk into a room where the people may not be of the same color as me. They may not say it but the look they give me hurts.

Do you actually design your clothing line, Sean John?
I am like a conductor, an orchestrator. I come up with the dream, or vision like a piece of music and I conduct the young designers through the process to get to the
final outcome.

Your character in the film says that money is life while your mother says that freedom is life. How does that argument resonate with you in your personal life?

After losing my father and three of my best friends to gun violence, I realized I had money but I didn’t have anything. I had these people around me and they just disappeared. I was very depressed and upset. I was crying all the time. I got caught up in money. That woke me up and taught me a lesson.

E-mail the columnist at rvnepales_5585@yahoo.com and read his blog, “The Nepales Report,” on http://blogs.inquirer.net/nepalesreport.