Quotes

Nobody became an actor because he had a good childhood.

[on playing losers] When you do something well, they'll ask you to do it again. Early on I must have done this well and the reputation was out there. It's strange because in my life, I don't feel like a loser. Far from it. I feel lucky.

For a performer to get rage, or to get hostility or shock or any kind of emotions from the audience is a joy. The thing I think actors fear the most is boredom or inattention. That's what kills me.

I've always felt everything you need is on the page. I used to load my wallet with fake IDs and know what was outside the door down the imaginary hallway. I would do a history for the character, but that's a whole lot of work, and one day I thought, "I wonder what would happen if I didn't do that," and the answer was, "Nothing". Nothing. It doesn't help you. For an actor, the real issue is the moment-to-moment.

[on making Boogie Nights (1997)] One of my first days was the scene in which Dirk Diggler wins the Golden Phallus Award. In the audience were 100 extras who had been told to wear their finest 1970s clothes. All they knew was that this was a Burt Reynolds film. They're sitting there, and the director says, "All right, let's give it a shot. When she announces the winner, you all applaud." Melora Walters walks up to the microphone, opens the envelope and, with that fabulous little voice of hers, says, "And the winner is--and I can't wait to get his big cock in my mouth and my ass and my pussy--Dirk Diggler!" There was a stunned silence, and literally half the extras walked out, got in their cars and drove home. We were shut down for a while until they could get another set of extras. The next time, the director described the scene and told them what they were in for.

When I lived in New York, I supported myself by doing commercials. Mostly I auditioned. Once in a blue moon, I would actually book one.

I can't cook to save my soul. Every once in a while I'll cook something that's really good. And if you put a gun to my head, I couldn't repeat it.

It's not the actor's job to be funny, it's the writer's job. It's the actor's job to be truthful, and then the humor will come out.

They don't do movies of the week anymore. So I found myself looking for gainful employment. And about two years ago I decided I wanted to try television. My opinion is that the best stuff anywhere is on television right now. I just love it.

I love Trenton [NJ] and I love to visit it frequently. It is my very favorite state capital.