I'm not sure whether Los Angeles borders on the ocean or on oblivion. I always feel that I'm two steps away from the other side when I'm out there. It's more like a vacation place or a place to visit than a place to hunker down.

I like to do theater and hopefully be effective. Most actors, at least contemporary actors of my generation, can't do it. They don't have the chops.

You're a master on blues piano. The real deal.

Well, I look at it like this: When you go to a restaurant, the less you know about what happens in the kitchen, the more you enjoy your meal. If the soup tastes good, everything's cool, and you don't necessarily want to know what's in it. The same thing holds true with movies.

I think I was afraid of what I might say when I got onto someone's stage or in front of someone's camera.

When you go to a restaurant, the less you know about what happens in the kitchen, the more you enjoy your meal.

The line between being a nurturing parent and an over-bearing, damaging parent is one that's very delicate.