Most of my career has been spent with the RSC doing Shakespeare, and the thing you learn from Shakespeare is that his historical plays don't bear anything other than a basic resemblance to history.

Life is just more comfortable if you're honest and open about everything. I spent so many years being in the closet about one thing or another.

The effort of learning. It's the same when you approach any new skill or technique, from a dance step to driving a car. The effort of learning stops you, at first, from doing it well.

What drew me to acting in the first place was disguise.

I can feel the power of the words doing the work. Must trust language more.

I have a Woody Allen Jewish attitude to life: that it's all going to be disastrous. That it hasn't all been that way is simply down to some random quirk of fate.

It's good for actors to confront those things we have to act: panic, pain and death.

I don't believe in an afterlife.

I feel so sorry for younger actors who aren't able to have the opportunities that I had, starting out in repertory theatre. It's really tough on young actors now.

When I'm painting and drawing I only do people. Acting is obviously portraiture - and writing is as well.

The whole of my acting career is a bit of a mystery to me.

You could buy a company of people with your wealth, but would never succeed in purchasing their love.

Takeoff isn't scary at all - just the landing. Once you're in the air, you feel that sense of freedom of no limits.

Mr. Trump is God's man to dismantle, to upset, and to bring America - though he wants to make her great again.

Servitude degrades people to such a point that they come to like it.

The history of the Americas is one of constant warfare over salt.

You say to yourself, Well, this poem isn't going to be any good, but I'll write it anyway.

Much of what sophisticates loftily refer to as the "complexityof the real world is in fact the inconsistency in their own minds.

Etching will suggest subtle variations of tone, the most delicate shadings, all with black lines, which, as far as lines go, are unsurpassed for sheer beauty.

You put more value on every minute...You know I always kinda thought I did that. I really always enjoyed myself. But it's more valuable now. You're reminded to enjoy every sandwich and every minute.