I don't want people to know anything about me, because that's not important. I'm more interested in the me that takes shape through the characters.

I was born William. My father was William. I came from a big family, I hated being called Billy. Willem's a nickname; it's a Dutch name, very common in the Netherlands.

The worst thing is to get involved with people who aren't passionate about what they're doing.

The English Patient' is about the coming together of a French-Canadian nurse, an English patient, a Sikh in a turban and me, Caravaggio, and each of us is seeking a resolution to our own problems.

Great theatre is about challenging how we think and encouraging us to fantasize about a world we aspire to.

I never act. I simply bring out the real animal that's in me.

Sometimes I think women are lucky because they can develop in ways men can't. The old-boy network may be oppressive to women, but it actually stunts men in terms of personal growth.

The mask can be a limitation, but you just deal with it. You do get superhuman strength and pumpkin bombs and all this other stuff to express yourself with.'

You have to lose yourself to find yourself.

Action breeds inspiration more than inspiration breeds action.

I guess they often cast me as the bad guy, because I'm not, er, conventional looking. I look sort of violent. I'm the odd one out, the outsider.

Creativity and expression of one’s art can only be measured by the audience to whom it was intended for.  Not everyone is going to like my “art” and I don’t really care about that.

Maybe you’re smiling as I stumble to put my feelings into words. But I’m trying to do her justice, you know?

A man does not exist until he is drunk.

The only point of having power it seems to me is to empower others. The only point of leadership is to inspire.

Sometimes funerals and weddings bring out the worst rather than the best in people.

Old April wanes, and her last dewy morn Her death-bed steeps in tears; to hail the May New blooming blossoms neath the sun are born, And all poor April's charms are swept away.

Judgment is not upon all occasions required, but discretion always is.

It is never difficult to see images – when the principle of the image is embedded in the soul.

So I know where my feet are.

Basically, no one else gives me any opinions on lyrics. I don't ask for them. If they did, I would listen.