Our role as artist is more controversial now because there are those, claiming the absolute authority of religion, who detest much of our work as much as they detest most of our politics. Instead of rationally debating subjects like abortion or gay rights, they condemn as immoral those who favor choice and tolerance. They disown their own dark side and magnify everyone else's until, at the extreme, doctors are murdered in the name of protecting life. I wonder, who is this God they invoke, who is so petty and mean? Is God really against gun control and food stamps for poor children?

I don't read music. Not even essentially. Not even nonessentially.

I don't like talking about myself and I don't like talking about the work.

My mother never really thought I could become anything.

My mother told me I should be a secretary, but I wanted to be an actress from when I was very young.

Performing, for me, has always been a very inner process.

I started going to acting school when I was 14, and I would always have my own take on things.