I think that I was lucky to have that period of time [ like coming to New York] because everything was so exciting and new.

John Cassavetes wrote A Woman Under the Influence as a play. He said, "Hey, I wrote you a play." And I said, "Great, let's read it." I read it and I said, "John, I couldn't do this every night and twice on Wednesday and Saturday".

Never in my life have I ever even thought about anything else [ being anything other than an actress].

[John Cassavetes] came backstage afterwards and introduced himself and we talked a bit, and then went for a little coffee at the Russian Tea Room next door. It just...started.

I went to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, which was in Carnegie Hall, which itself was exciting - just to walk into it.

I read the script of [Woman Under the Influence ] 50 times. And I thought about it. And then I did it.

I loved Bette Davis when I was little and when I was big and when I got old.