I have talked to more people who are in politics who have said to me, "[House of Cards] is closer than you can imagine. It's the most accurate description of how politics actually works that we've ever seen." I mean, West Wing - beautiful, wonderful idea of how democracy should work. But I've had more people in politics say they think House of Cards is closer. I - don't know whether to take that as a compliment or a sad state of affairs.

I don't want to show deleted scenes. I don't like an audience looking at what the movie might have been - if it's in the movie, it's in the movie.

I'm not someone who's led my life trying to get publicity; I'd rather do my work and go home.

Our job, you know, in the entertainment profession is to try to illuminate and show people all sides of humanity, and it doesn't just mean that you can only do movies that are only about the good parts of us. You have to be able to eliminate the bad parts.

I was not a studious kid, and I struggled to find things that would command my attention and engage my ideas and energies.

After graduation, I was floundering in L.A., doing stand-up comedy and working in a shoe store in the Valley.

You have to always be ready, always be alive, and always be willing to move in a new direction.