Quotes

[accepting his Emmy Award, 1980] This is either the most courageous moment of my career or the stupidest... I also thought long and hard whether or not I would attend, but I came here because this is America and one must do what one believes. I believe in the Academy. I also believe in my fellow actors in their stand.

Hell, I've played as many guys who get the girl as I have heavies. I've done love scenes with Jessica Lange [Blue Sky (1994)] and Jennifer Lopez [U Turn (1997)], and I won't kid you, they're fun.

I've been fortunate in my career to have the opportunity to pick and choose the parts I play. I've also been lucky to always be involved with quality actors, quality directors, quality writers.

[2007, on beginning as an actor] One role leads to another. For the first 10 years [that] I was a professional actor, all I did was Shakespeare. And the show I did in New York that brought me out [to L.A.] was a flat-out comedy. And they never let me do comedy.

[on playing the U.S. President on 24 (2001)] One of the more interesting things about doing this is I don't have to worry about my wardrobe... because it's the same every day, all day.

[on his performance in the stage play 'Lone Star'] That show saved my life

[on an acting career] It's not who you know but who knows you.