I got into film acting because I wanted to be James Dean. We lost him at a very young age - he was only 24 - but I’m 51 going on 52, so there's only so many times you can act like James Dean. I had to find new ways of expressing myself that kept me fascinated with film performance.

There is a misperception, if you will, in critical response or even in Hollywood, that I can only do exaggerated characters. Or what they would call over-the-top performances. Well, this is completely false.

I've acted professionally since I was 16.

All movies on some level can aspire to be more than just whatever the label is of the movie.

My father was always getting excited about something. It's genetically inside me somewhere.

I don't want to sit around by the pool luxuriating with a margarita. That's just not what I want to do.

Generally my instinct is to not do biographical movies. I want to build characters and not be locked into playing a part in history.