I'm trying to mix the cool, independent stuff with the big stuff, but it's been difficult finding the right roles. It's been an interesting ride as far as my career pendulum is concerned.

Being referred to as a hunk or a heartthrob makes me nervous, but it's flattering. But I'm more interested in being an actor than a heartthrob.

I look forward to working with UNICEF as they continue to make the world a better place for children.

The best way to look stylish on a budget is to try second-hand, bargain hunting, and vintage.

I have good spacial awareness, and I'm pretty comfortable with a sword.

I am a bit of a solitude person - a solitary personality. I like being on my own. I don't have any major friendships or relationships with people.

Beware the tyranny of the weak. They just suck you dry.

In the theatre, people talk. Talk, talk until the cows come home about journeys of discovery and about what Hazlitt thought of a line of Shakespeare. I can't stand it.

Richard Burton came from the same town as me, so I thought I'd follow my nose, and follow my luck. I think I've been very lucky.

Today is the tomorrow I was worried about yesterday.

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

I'm devious, cruel, cunning and addictive.

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

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

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 like to take it easy.

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 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.

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

A stupid man's report of what a clever man says can never be accurate, because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something he can understand.

[T]he infliction of cruelty with a good conscience is a delight to moralists. That is why they invented Hell.

Not to be absolutely certain is, I think, one of the essential things in rationality.

So far as I can remember there is not one word in the Gospels in praise of intelligence.