I think the diva is kind of a cliche. My definition of a diva is somebody whose talent does not match what they're trying to play, so all this temperament comes out.

There's something about a catharsis that is very important.

Ismail Merchant was just the most seductive, passionate, outrageous, driven, genius of a man.

It puts you in a kind of a strange situation where everybody is looking at every little thing you do.

I've been sacrificing my life for my work for 30 years, and now I want it the other way around. I want to find work that fits into my life and that would be based here.

I don't like public venues. I never know what to wear.

Bunny boiler is now part of our language, and I'm proud of that.

We were fortunate enough to have several good books detailing the camps and the women. Some were by the survivors. I also got to talk to some of the women who had been in the camp, survivors.

There are a lot of big spec houses now all across Connecticut, a lot of ostentatious showing of wealth.

Good roles are hard to find no matter what age.

I think the diva is kind of a cliche. My definition of a diva is somebody whose talent does not match what they're trying to play, so all this temperament comes out.

The best thing I have is the knife from Fatal Attraction. I hung it in my kitchen. It's my way of saying, Don't mess with me.

We have to be vulnerable as actors, but we have to protect ourselves.

I don't think the tabloids find me very interesting.

I knew the term Stepford Wife, and I knew what that meant. I never read the book, and I think before I started filming I watched the movie. I thought it was very dated.

I never got into this business thinking I'd be like a movie star.

I get bored talking about myself, but I can talk about the work.

Acting, to me, is about the incredible adventure of examining the landscape of human heart and soul. That's basically what we do.

I had a great time on The Shield. From working on it I have a totally different view of law enforcement.

With the hugely talented women I've worked with or observed, it's not a question about temperament or ego; it's a question about getting it right. If they've got a reputation for being difficult it's usually because they just don't suffer fools.

I am extremely shy. I am not happy in crowds of people.

Celebrity is death - celebrity - that's the worst thing that can happen to an actor.

It's not good to be in a situation where people don't want to direct you or don't want to question something.

You have to love the characters you play, even if no one else does.

I'm an actor, that's my contribution.

When I hear that somebody's difficult, I think, Oh, I can't wait to work with them.

It always amazes me to think that every house on every street is full of so many stories; so many triumphs and tragedies, and all we see are yards and driveways.

It's gotten out of control. It's taking bigger and bigger names to make smaller and smaller films. I worry that important films without a big name attached won't get made at all.

I think there are certain actors that have that kind of energy about them, that taking over a room energy.

It is very difficult for girls. They're told to look one way, but to act another way.

As an actor, I go where the good writing is. That's the bottom line.

I had a dresser who literally squeezed me in like Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With The Wind.

When they tested Fatal Attraction, the audiences were so upset by her behavior, they literally demanded her blood.

Diva has a negative connotation.

Be aware of your inner voice and follow it, even though most of the time it will tell you the most uncomfortable path to choose.

What's so fascinating about people is what they don't show. People are masters at it; usually actors show too much.

We should have a State in which we could live and breathe as free men and which we could develop according to our own lights and culture and where principles of Islamic social justice could find free play.

So, first you have to be able to play with a metronome. Then you take your freedom. If you play in an orchestra, you got to watch the conductor, he is like a metronome, but it is more difficult because he can change rhythms.

Never play anything that don't sound right. You might not make any money, but at least you won't get hostile with yourself.

A play is much easier to maintain your personal life with because if you're rehearsing, you're working like from 11 to 6 or 11 to 5 and you get to have your whole morning and your whole evening. When you're doing the play, you have all day.

I'd like to one day play Amanda, the mother, in The Glass Menagerie.

I couldn't be happier about being a part of 'Hunger Games' and to play Katniss. I have a huge responsibility to the fans of this incredible book and I don't take it lightly. I will give everything I have to these movies and to this role to make it worthy of Suzanne Collins' masterpiece.

For years the Trio did nothing but play for musicians and other hip people. We practically starved to death.

If you give it good concentration, good energy, good heart and good performance, the song will play you.

Genius is not a possession of the limited few, but exists in some degree in everyone. Where there is natural growth, a full and free play of faculties, genius will manifest itself.

I mean when the play was on in New York I was starting to get film offers coming through, and since the film's come out I get offered more than I used to, but it happens incrementally.

If Davis Cup was a little bit less or once every two years, I would be more inclined to play. But the way it is now, it is too much tennis for me.

I remember him watching me through the crack of a door singing with a hairbrush. I was in front of his mirror. I think he wanted me to sing. He would get me on the table and make me sing sometimes or play the piano. He was very encouraging on that front.

If you watch a game, it's fun. If you play it, it's recreation. If you work at it, it's golf.