I never in a million years thought I would be starring in Hairspray, ever. Because if you think about my past, it's been 30 years of playing a macho leading man, so when I was offered it, I said: "Why? Why me? What have I done to deserve that you think I should do this?" After much convincing, over a year and two months, I was convinced they wanted to make a great movie.

I don't mind gearing my life towards privacy. It's my nature.

I was always a character actor, basically, that sometimes looks like a leading man.

I like to fly at least once a day.

I love fun movies that also have something to say. They tend to stay with me, always.

I think my friend Tom Hanks knows me. He understands me very well. He’s always had a sort of parental feeling toward me. He knows I’m a big mush ball, which is just part of my personality.

I was just thinking of James Dean and Marilyn Monroe and how young they were when they died. I would like to be a pop icon who survives. I would like to be a living icon.