My parents were devoted. Civic minded. We had family counsels. Three of us children against two of them. We lived a 'Leave It to Beaver' time.

You relate to a character and you find that character within yourself. It's all parts of me. I don't leave characters behind. I just let them go.

There's a real danger in trying to stay king of the mountain. You stop taking risks, you stop being as creative, because you're trying to maintain a position. Apart from anything else that really takes the fun out of it.

You shouldn't change what you are in the search for success.

When I'm pushing myself, testing myself, that's when I'm happiest. That's when the rewards are greatest.

Fame sweeps you away. I had to go home every six months to remember who I am.

I lived an idyllic 'Huckleberry Finn' life in a tiny town. Climbing trees. Tagging after brothers. Happy. Barefoot on my pony. It was 'To Kill a Mockingbird'-esque.