My philosophy is: It's none of my business what people say of me, and think of me. I am what I am, I do what I do. I expect nothing, and accept everything. And it makes life so much easier.

Today,is the Tomorrow I was so worried about Yesterday

I love roller coasters. I don't get a chance often, but I've gone to Magic Mountain and gone on the rides. I love roller coasters.

Today is the tomorrow we feared yesterday.

I was lousy in school. Real screwed-up. A moron. I was antisocial and didn't bother with the other kids. A really bad student. I didn't have any brains. I didn't know what I was doing there. That's why I became an actor.

The Welsh people have a talent for acting that one does not find in the English. The English lack heart.

Jonathan Demme is a very sharp editor of his movies.

Years ago I met Richard Burton in Port Talbot, my home town, and afterwards he passed in his car with his wife, and I thought, 'I want to get out and become like him'. Not because of Wales, because I love Wales, but because I was so limited as a child at school and so bereft and lonely, and I thought becoming an actor would do that.

I spent two years in the military service, then I trudged around in repertory for quite a while. I somehow wound up at the National Theatre, though, and then I was definitely on my way.

I don't have a vast longing for the stage.

It will be the kiss by which all others in your life will be judged... and found wanting.

People ask, 'Should I call you Sir Hopkins?' But I say, 'No. Call me Tony,' because it's too much of a lift-up.

The knighthood was a tremendous honour, I don't dismiss it. But I feel embarrassed by the flowery, theatrical stuff that goes with being an actor.

I've felt like an outsider all my life. It comes from my mother, who always felt like an outsider in my father's family. She was a powerful woman, and she motivated my father.

I learn poetry, learn text, and that really keeps you alive.

I worked at the Steel Company Of Wales when I was 17. My job was to supply tools to the guys working the blast furnaces.

I am not very good with relationships. With anyone. I can't be locked up with anyone for too long.

I think the first British actor who really worked well in cinema was Albert Finney. He was a back-street Marlon Brando. He brought a great wittiness and power to the screen. The best actor we've had.

I was bullied as a boy - lots of kids are, but hopefully most of us get on with our lives and grow up.

My father wasn't a cruel man. And I loved him. But he was a pretty tough character. His own father was even tougher - one of those Victorians, hard as iron - but my dad was tough enough.

People forget that Mozart wrote for commissions. There's a thing in psychology where they think if it's popular, it can't be serious.

We're always looking over our shoulders, 'what they will think, what the press will think, what will this one - am I making the right career move?' When you're young you have to do all that to survive, I suppose.

I remember coming to New York in 1974 to do a play here called 'Equis.' And I remember the first morning getting up and walking around the streets, and I thought, 'I'm home.' I felt really at peace here.

I once asked a Jesuit preist what was the best short prayer he knew. He said "Fuck it." as in "Fuck it, it's in Gods hands.

I wouldn't use the word 'scared' for my role as Hitchcock, but it was my most insecure. Taking on such a formidable, giant personality such as Hitchcock; he was one of the great geniuses of world cinema. Sheer genius.

I hope I would not be so arrogant as to doubt anyone's religion or belief.

My father was grounded, a very meat-and-potatoes man. He was a baker.

Well, everyone likes movies when they're a little kid.

This industry has been really good to me. It's been a great life. I'm not through yet. I'm ready when you are, Mr. DeMille.

I'm one of the slowest drivers on the road. I mosey along. If you're doing anything too fast, including living life too fast, that creates sudden death. If I have to be somewhere on time, I make sure I leave early enough.

I've been composing music all my life and if I'd been clever enough at school I would like to have gone to music college.

A conductor can't be too arrogant with an orchestra and try to impose himself too much.

I know that some actors and directors like to have intensity on set. I don't, particularly. Certainly, if they want that, that's fine, but I can't work like that.

I can't stand directors who try to micro-manage everything. When it happens these days I just walk off set, saying if they don't like the way I'm doing it they can get someone else.

I like to take it easy.

I don't know why they gave me a knighthood - though it's very nice of them - but I only ever use the title in the U.S. The Americans insist on it and get offended if I don't.

I've got no need to prove to myself that I can do Shakespeare. I've done it.

I am able to play monsters well. I understand monsters. I understand madmen.

And I love a scary movie. It makes your toes curl and it's not you going through it.

Every time I try to retire, or even think of retiring from acting, my agent comes up with a script.

I don't have people following me around, like bodyguards. I don't know how people live like that. Maybe the young movie stars have to live like that, I don't know. But it seems a little crazy to me. I don't think you need all that stuff.

I don't know what acting is, but I enjoy it.

I came here in 1974 to do a play, and then I went to L.A. I really like living in America. I feel more at home here than anywhere else.

I have dual citizenship, it just so happens I live in America.

I think all those actors from that generation, like Bogart - they were wonderful actors. They didn't act. They just came on and they did it, and the characters were wonderful.

I know that the arts are important. I'm not denying that, but I can't associate myself with all the claptrap that goes on around it.

I'm devious, cruel, cunning and addictive.

I have no interest in Shakespeare and all that British nonsense... I just wanted to get famous and all the rest is hogwash.

I worked with Lawrence Olivier some years ago. He was a great mentor.

I'm always cast in these strange men... that's not me, really.