I grew up kind of a tomboy and I used to fight with all the neighborhood boys.

Obviously, it wasn't meant for me to die of cancer at 40. Every day my life surprises me, just like my cancer diagnosis surprised me. But you roll with it. That's our job as humans.

The common misconception is that as an actress you have to learn what you're doing. No, you just have to make the audience think you've learned it.

I'm an old-school, embarrassing Joni Mitchell fan. Her music made a hook in my soul and hasn't let go for all these years. I even sing her songs as lullabies to my kids.

I don't have examples in my life of people who are all good or bad; I have deeply loved many people who are both, and I relate to those kinds of people on a far greater level.

But I've always been hard to cast, I've never been an ingenue, I've never been the romantic lead. I'm an actor; give me the script and I do what I do and hope it's good.

I was a young kid from Long Island who wanted to do something large with her life, so I can relate to that.

I've never been all that interested or aware of what people are thinking about me or saying about me. I think that has kept me safest and sanest.

One of the ways I think I gain fodder for characters is by watching people.

I sort of love reading the scripts and going, 'Oh wow, what a great idea. I never would have thought of that.

All I ever wanted to do was act. And pay my bills

The reality of a serious writer is a reality of many voices, some of them belonging to the writer, some of them belonging to the world of readers at large.

Why should I forget the pastexperience? I can only let go of the pain.

Like most bad ideas, it started with alcohol.

Life can be simple, it ain't easy. So don't take the easy option. Challenge the resistance, challenge yourself, become great

Traits like humility, courage, and empathy are easily overlooked - but it's immensely important to find them in your closest relationships.

I fully support a national health care program for the U.S.

A good spouse and health is a person's best wealth.

I love hiking in the mountains in Aspen. Breathing the clean, fresh air is great. Plus, it gives me a cardiovascular workout and firms my legs.

There is the old boys' club, but there are ­people who are "conviction lobbyists" coming from the heart.

We know that it is possible to harness desire to many interests, that evil is one form of a desire, and not the nature of it.