I was living in a terrible time when people were being accused of being communists, and they attacked the movie industry, especially the writers. People couldn't work if they were on the blacklist. The studios banned them. It was the most onerous period in movie history. I don't think we have ever had a period so dark as that.

I directed two films, not very successfully, and after that, I went back to being an actor and a producer.

My mother once said, "A beggar must always give to another beggar that's worse off than he is." That has always stuck with me.

Sometimes, the thing that ties you down sets you free.

Obey the voice within - it commands us to give of ourselves and help others. As long as we have the capacity to give, we are alive

In order to achieve anything you must be brave enough to fail.

I have a great respect for actors like Clint Eastwood, who's a wonderful director. I think two pictures that I directed were not successful, so I decided not to make any more.