Not to get overly psychological about this, but it's probably why I became an actress in the first place: for that kind of freedom and refuge, as well as for the fact that I just love acting so much.

I was exposed to the arts, but there was no one in my family who was an artist.

I did ask Larry David, "How did I get so lucky? How am I here Seinfeld?" He just said, 'Well, when you say your name over and over it just has a really strong rhythm: "Marisa Tomei. Marisa Tomei."

You express different energies at different times in your life.

I was taking a lot of eyedrops three times a day and I realized I should have it checked out, that's when I was told I had a type of Chronic Dry Eye. Restasis has really worked for me and made my life easier. They're also partnering with Guide Dogs for the Blind, it's a beautiful thing where they're donating a dollar for every quiz taken on Restasis.com. It provides the blind and visually impaired with dogs, and it doesn't have government funding so what Allergan is doing really makes a difference. I'm so happy to be supporting that very inspiring organization.

I prefer to express myself physically, or non-verbally. I prefer just to react without having a lot of dialogue.

I grew up on musicals, and I know they are quite the thing now, but I'm actually a little indignant, because I started taking singing lessons years ago - I put the time in!