Quotes

(when asked about his terminal disease) I am a very happy man. I try to enjoy everything in life. I don't pay attention to rubbish - that's my chief talent. I don't feel that I am seriously ill. I treat it like that: any man can die any minute - a brick may accidentally fall on your head. But I do not spend my time thinking how I would die - I don't want to think about that. I know it's inevitable. For all of us. But I want to make another movie. Maybe, I won't be able to, but still, I'll try. I have no fear of death. It's a severe trial, I know. I've been there three times and came back. But it's not scary. It's scary to be dishonest. It's scary to have no friends. It's scary to be alone.

(about his grandson, born by his black daughter-in-law) I have a wonderful grandson. They live in Germany with my son. When Tanya Drubich learnt that I have a black grandson she said: "I knew it! I knew it was coming! He is a Pushkin, and he gave birth to a Pushkin." (probably referring to the fact that he played Pushkin on stage).

(on nationalism) This is the main problem today that people cannot accept other nationalities. It doesn't make me angry though, it makes me disgusted. An intelligent man will never humiliate himself by contempt for other nations.