Quotes

When I grew up, being gay, being a sissy or anything like that was verboten. I disliked myself intensely and feared this part of myself intensely and had to hide it and became "Perfect Richard, All-American Boy" as a place to hide.

I actually feel sorry for people who have a lot of illusions in their head about what gay is. I mean, I know some gay people who are really wonderful people.

'Handsome' means many things to many people. If people consider me handsome, I feel flattered - and have my parents to thank for it. Realistically, it doesn't hurt to be good-looking, especially in this business.

I've learned, I think, to be able to distinguish between the necessary and the unnecessary as far as my limited outside time is concerned. Saying 'no' politely is a necessity if one wants to lead any kind of stable life.

Nothing is secret once you tell anyone. If you want to keep it quiet - don't tell a soul.

I suppose everyone tells little white lies. Quite often they're necessary to make someone feel better or prevent feelings from being hurt. Whoppers? No, that's dangerous and they'll boomerang.

Having the focal point of contemporary art right in the middle of Honolulu is an amazing treasure because people are so seldom exposed to that quality of artistic endeavor.

I'm not a romantic leading man anymore so I don't need to nurture that public image anymore.

I pattern my actions and life after what I want. No two people are alike. You might admire attributes in others, but use these only as a guide in improving yourself in your own unique way. I don't go for carbon copies. Individualism is sacred!

Over a long period of time, living as if you were someone else is no fun.

I consider myself a religious person. God is something very personal with me and I don't flaunt religion in conversation with others.

When fans ask me for advice, here's what I tell them: "Trust yourself."

I hated being in the Army... I don't like being ordered around. I don't like ordering people around. I came out a sergeant. It was all just another role for me.

[on once dating a Japanese girl]: It was under extraordinary circumstances. I was very drunk and very young. And she was lovely. And it just sort of happened. But it's not -- but the idea of being married, etc. and having kids, never appealed to me at all. Not at all.

[on getting cast in 'The Towering Inferno'] The way Irwin (Allen) got all the stars is he paid them a lot of money. The set was like a perpetual A-list party. I've never seen so many glittery people in one place.