I'm a director's actor; I'm a storyteller's actor.

People who get involved with the success of something have to be given at least some share of that success.

I'm totally anonymous until I open my bloody mouth and people recognize the voice.

I ended up an actor, did my first professional union gig in 1974, and I've been doing it ever since.

When I was in art college, I would be painting, and I would create something on a canvas that was actually quite attractive. But if I got frightened and tried to protect that, that canvas would die.

One of the young production assistants (on 'Terminator: Salvation') stepped over to my chair and said, 'Mr. Ironside, are you any relation to the Ironside who was in 'Top Gun'?' And I said, 'I am, yes.' And she grinned and said, 'I knew it! Talent must run in your family!' And she walked away. And all of the producers and directors kind of looked at me uncertainly, and I said, 'What are you guys so uncomfortable for? That's an incredible compliment. I do look like the father of that guy, for Christ's sake!'

My M.O. over the years is that I make things better, where people give me that freedom.