I went to Princeton High School, when I was very serious about being an artist. I was in a theatre family but I didn't want to become an actor.

I never get tired of hearing compliments.

One of the things that gives me a lot of pleasure about both the solo show and the book is that it tells people about my dad. He really was an important man. He was a kind of pioneer of regional theater. He was the first American producer to ever produce all of Shakespeare plays.

The problem is that people are pulling farther apart, rather than make an effort to get back together. There have been remarkable moments that united this country. It makes everyone feel relieved. Then because of economic stress, political shifts, we get wrenched apart again. I think it's cyclical. I am an optimist by nature. There are moments, the period after 9/11, the way we responded. The election of Barack Obama. There are moments where the country felt good about being American. I'm waiting for that to happen again.

I gave up shame a long time ago.

The most exciting acting tends to happen in roles you never thought you could play.

Instead of being a theater actor who sometimes does movies I became a movie actor who sometimes does theater.