I worked in rep for six years, then I came to London and to the National Theatre. What's better than that

If you're at an award ceremony, you're against your mates.

Chaotic people often have chaotic lives, and I think they create that. But if you try and have an inner peace and a positive attitude, I think you attract that.

You can only do your best. That's all you can do. And if it isn't good enough, it isn't good enough.

I've always liked new writing.

Agents and producers have to get you into a box to accommodate their limited imaginations.

Look at Judi Dench, who's brilliant in whatever bloody job she does.

You could say I'm a character actress. Or maybe a character actress who does peculiar, interesting lead roles. Does that make sense?

I was brought up a Catholic, so I take no pleasure in guilt.

The one good thing is that I get a lot more good scripts coming through my letterbox. 'Vera Drake' raised my profile in one way, and then 'Harry Potter' in another.

Fortunately my career has never been about how I look, it's about how I can be.

We can only live life when we understand life.

What you don't wish for will always be beyond your reach.

My father never lived to see his dream come true of an all-Yiddish-speaking Canada.

I know people are tired of me not saying anything, but a guy doesn't have to answer to innuendos.

You've got to keep the stage world and your real world separated or you're headed for trouble.

This programme to stop nuclear by 2020 is just crazy. If there were a nuclear war, and humanity were wiped out, the Earth would breathe a sigh of relief.

Tomorrow never comes.

Every noble crown is, and on Earth will forever be, a crown of thorns.

He who sports compliments, unless he takes good aim, may miss his mark, and be wounded by the recoil of his own weapon.

I've always played strong women who are doing their own thing.