It never occurred to me that I was a leading man until I was 19 years old. I had been acting since I was 10, so that's nine years and 30 or 40 plays, in school and summer stock, professional theater, too.

I am a very lucky guy. I can testify before Congress. I can raise funds. I can raise awareness.

And if you can channel the truth of your own experience onto the stage, that's what the audience wants to see.

People may never understand this - and perhaps I should give up caring whether they do or not - but the idea of me playing Superman is so far away from what I was brought up to aspire to.

Your body is not who you are. The mind and spirit transcend the body.

I have more awareness of other people and, I hope, more sensitivity to their needs. I also find that I'm more direct and outspoken.

You should have a dream and absolutely go for it. Don't let anybody say you can't do it.