I took acting lessons when I was 19, 20, and I had my writing.

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

I mean, I've been in a hundred and fifty films; I don't want to just sit around and talk about things.

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

I took acting lessons when I was 19, 20, and I had my writing.

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.