The first thing you should do with an actor is not sign a contract with him. Take him to dinner. And take him for a walk afterwards.

When you know what an actor has, you can reach in and arouse it. If you don't know what he has, you don't know what the hell is going on.

A good director's not sure when he gets on the set what he's going to do.

I wouldn't go up on a stage now if you paid a thousand dollars for one minute of acting. It's a nasty experience. You're up there all by yourself. You're so damn exposed.

I was always a self-conscious person.

I like directors who come on the set and create something that's a little dangerous, difficult or unusual.

I spoke without fear of contradiction. I simply did not suffer self-doubt.