I think the amazing thing with acting is that, whatever part you’re playing, you get to do an amazing amount of research around it, and meet people who often let you into their lives.
Acting - Actors Quotes
I defy anyone to go to the Oscars and feel like it’s normal. I mean, it’s such an insane thing. They shut down half of Los Angeles and you drive through closed-down roads to get there.
I find that there’s two different types of actors. There’s an actor that has already made all the decisions. I’m not that guy.
“Nightmare Alley” was an interesting example of how insecure I am. I was like, “Oh, I guess I still am the guy that wants to be in the group,” because I had no intention of acting in anything other than I’ve been writing.
With “American Sniper,” I got the book and I put the work in, asked Clint Eastwood to direct it; we spent the time and got the script right and took it from the beginning of an idea all the way to the end.
I feel really lucky to have the career I have, coming from nothing and then getting to be where I am.
As a director, Robert Redford was just my dream. He was so thoroughly prepared and yet he is a complete artist. He let you give birth to feelings and emotions that you never knew you had.
I led a perfectly normal life until “Downton Abbey.” I’m not kidding. I’d go to theatres, I’d go to galleries, things like that on my own. And now I can’t and that’s awful. The Fulham Road’s dodgy!
I am deeply grateful for the work in “Potter” and indeed “Downton” but it wasn’t what you’d call satisfying. I didn’t really feel I was acting in those things.
This part for “General Hospital” came up, and I only took it because I needed the money. I didn’t think it was any kind of career move… I thought, “Nobody watches these shows except blue-haired old ladies ironing.” But it just happened to become the popular TV show among college kids that summer. It was […]
