My mother, sister and I watched through the windows as my father gambled

There's a hysterical, tired sense of humor that comes after working 14 hours a day, six days a week. I like those things because they take the pressure off the constant stress

To people outside, they think, Gee, that's great. You get to go here and there. The other side of that is our expression, This is location, not vacation

I like playing flawed characters, people who aren't perfect.

I had already done a lot of research for Rough Riders, keeping notebooks and old photographs. Some of the books were antiques for that time period, with the covers falling off.

While I was doing these plays in the beginning, I wasn't getting paid. I thought of it more as a hobby. Then I realized how seriously a lot of these people took what they were doing

I didn't know how to go about preparing for the part of someone who can't remember who he is. The frustration angle is written in, but there's also this incredible passive state

In this industry, the new owners prefer to kill anything they weren't responsible for.

You can't think that you're playing a villain, or you'll end up with a cartoon. You have to think about him as a person and a hero.

I wrote a script. I actually enjoyed writing it more than acting. It's about the Irish rebellion of 1920, which is a fascinating period and place for me

I have family obligations and all that stuff. I get my kids six weeks in the summer, which is a real intense period of time. I'm with them every minute of the day

The only prophecy the artist can make with confidence is that he and his message will be misunderstood by a world that values all the wrong things.

Actually the years when I was playing totally un - well, they were just roles that just went by the board, you wouldn't want to know. But anyway, I'm glad I had that chance to build my craft.

Surfing is a deeply wonderful thing – anytime, anywhere and any way

A lot of journalists say, "Tell us about the '80s." Nobody wants to know about the '70s!

You must have a genius for charity as well as for anything else.

I feel like I've exhausted guys and male friendships.

I love networking. But I learned to love it

As I always said, if people wanted to know who James Brown is, all they have to do is listen to my music.

You're just jealous." "Hardly. Been there, done you. Adequate, but unremarkable.

Of course the theory of evolution would be vacuous if it offered a glib explanation for every inexplicable act.