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

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 think I'm very cool as a person. I'm just better than anyone else at acting cool.

You can't control the quality of projects that are coming to you, so if you get several in a row that are quality, you take them.

In my own life if I knew I was going to pass away I'd love to sit down and resolve every issue so I could go peacefully.

The upper echelon of the movie industry is easier to deal with and the work is much easier to accomplish because of this generosity of spirit and confidence that they instill in the group around them.

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.