I don't know what your childhood was like, but we didn't have much money. We'd go to a movie on a Saturday night, then on Wednesday night my parents would walk us over to the library. It was such a big deal, to go in and get my own book.

People have been so busy relating to how I look, it's a miracle I didn't become a self-conscious blob of protoplasm.

I'm not that interested in someone that one-dimensional, but I'm interested in playing somebody that's more complicated.

It's a creative enterprise, just like art, just like painting, music. Creating something can be done in different categories, so to do it in film is just another expression, which is great. Because it translates so well because so many people see the work, if you're lucky.

Have a strong vision about the story you want to tell and how you want to tell it.

That's another thing that's depressing: certain attitudes in Congress. They assume that you're dumb; they can take advantage of you being dumb. I find that offensive. It insults our intelligence. They're playing us for dumb and they're being dumb in doing it. But I believe that's gonna change. I think those people, the McConnells, are not helping us at all. They're taking us backward in time.

I've been very fortunate in that I've had wonderful relationships with people I've worked with.