Well, the first thing I wanted to be was a carpenter. Then I wanted to be a painter and then a singer. It was when I first saw 'Lawrence of Arabia' that I wanted to be an actor.

I think in some ways you learn more from the things you don't like than the things you do.

Acting is really scary, but it's also challenging, fun, hard work. There's always an element of improvisation with every actor, even when something is really scripted.

It sounds cliche, but success is your friends, your family, what you do, and if you're happy when you wake up.

When actors give their input, it can be very ego-driven, and directors are scared of that.

I think Van Sant is the most important American director we have. He takes the most risks. He's just pure to me.

I'm not really equipped to do anything else but making movies. In every other aspect of my life I'm a total failure.

I feel that film, as opposed to theatre, is about capturing that one, real moment.

I saw the main character played by Mads Mikkelsen, and he's amazing. Hannibal had that going for it.

I have fun making films. I love making films. It's the only thing I know how to do. And I do it well.

Right now is a very interesting time because of the digital cameras, and the fact that you can edit anywhere. It's a great time to be a filmmaker, is a great time to be starting off.

When you fall in love, do not fall out of yourself.

My whole background is character acting: weird costumes, fat suits, playing men, playing animals - I've never played anyone with whom there's any overlapping Venn diagram.

There is no perfect time to write. There is only now.

The middle class is collapsing and we are moving toward an oligarchic form of society, where the billionaires will control the economy and the political life of the country.

We brought with hus in the ship a cat, a most amicable cat and greatly loved by us; but he grew to great bulk through the eating of fish.

There's never enough money, there's never enough time, there's never enough reliable help around, anything you plan always goes wrong - it's just hard to be human, isn't it?

I'm not denying Christ by not being Christian. I'm a theist, which involves expanding on the Christ narrative.

I suppose, mother-in-laws are frightening figures. Especially, more so for mother-in-laws to be.

Invest in the millenium.

Relax and calm your mind. Forget about yourself and follow your opponent's movement.