Would you just strap some toe shoes on and dance 'Swan Lake?' No. Would you just put a violin in your hand and - ? No. I felt that way about acting, and I was taught to feel that way. I didn't come to it on my own.
Ellen BarkinI was trained by Method acting teachers and we were taught that aside from whatever gift you may or may not have or the level of that gift, that you were obliged to know how to build a table. It's a craft. It's like being a ballerina or a violinist.
Ellen BarkinI studied acting for 10 years before I went for an audition. I studied with Lee Strasberg and Actors Studio teachers, and went to the High School of Performing Arts.
Ellen BarkinI eat cheese and salami and a lot of fried chicken. I eat a big bag of oatmeal-raisin cookies every night and I don't gain weight. I still look OK as long as I'm dressed.
Ellen BarkinYou can't go back again, even if you wanted to. But you can own your own life, mistakes and all.
Ellen BarkinIโm tenacious, I think โ I know โ and I do also have a quality where if you tell me I canโt do something, if I know I canโt do it Iโm the first to raise my hand and say, โI canโt do that.โ But there is a big Bronx, New York Jew in me that just says, โReally? Really? You think I โ yes, I can. I can do it. I can do it.
Ellen Barkin