Whatever you do, make sure you want to write more than you want to be a writer. Make sure you want to act more than you want to be an actor. That is what will sustain you.

You don't want to become one of those Hollywood idiots who is just blathering about anything

I used to defend the West Wing show from the charge of sentimentality or wish-fulfilment, because I think if you do go into the Barack Obama White House you will find six or seven people around him who are true believers. We make these people climb this filthy rope and then we stand at the bottom and say, "Hey, your hands are dirty!" To show heroic, progressive, democratic politics at work was more than I ever expected.

I identify with this guy's frustration and inability to control his fury at moments. I even identify with the way that this guy covers up a lot with humour. So yeah, it's interesting.

Infuse your life with action. Don't wait for it to happen. Make it happen. Make your own future. Make your own hope.

Only two things ever stop the government from doing anything: money and politics

The invisible carnage of the unf-ed wives and the children not being read to is just wafting out.