But when it became an international hoopla where careers lived and died on whether or not you did or didn't get an Oscar, then it got out of hand.

Acting is characterization, the process of two entities merging-the actor and the role.

Truth is not always a pleasant thing.

There is no question you get pumped up by the recognition. Then a self-loathing sets in when you realise you're enjoying it.

All this stuff you heard about America not wanting to fight, wanting to stay out of the war, is a lot of horse dung. Americans, traditionally, love to fight. All real Americans love the sting of battle. Americans play to win all the time. I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost - and will never lose - a war, because the very thought of losing is hateful to Americans.

I think of myself as a fairly decent human being and it gives me great pain to be considered for all the mean S.O.B.s that come along. I've played bird decapitators, puppy stranglers, woman beaters, wife poisoners, child molesters - every goddamn thing you can think of. It was quite scene there for a while. But I think the image is changing...I hope to God the old image is fading from people's minds.

The (Academy Award) ceremonies are a two-hour meat parade, a public display with contrived suspense for economic reasons.