For an actor to remain a child is rather important. It's a childlike, dreamy thing, acting, if you think about it. It's the sort of thing children fantasise about, playing cowboys and Indians in the street. I think that acting is just a highly refined development of that.

I never met my theater fans. I'm out the stage door five minutes after the curtain goes up. So that's it. I don't even know who comes, but thank God they do come. I can't tell. I keep my head down. I don't meet them. The fans from "Harry Potter" are kids who stop me in the street. I love that. That's terrific. I was amazed how many do.

There are some actors who are rehearsal actors, and some who are not. I am not. Having said that, I don't know what I am talking about.

A child did approach me in a restaurant in Cornwall, but he thought I was Gandalf.

I live in fear of being a contented passenger. I'd rather get parts I can't play.

I just hate the idea of being well known. I know that is almost impossible if you're an actor who has done okay, but I've always fought against it.

I am a theatre actor, but the last ten years I've taken parts in movies because it keeps me in money.