The soul is an illusion.

I always had a dramatic flair. I'd like to dress up like a cowboy, play make-believe. But I didn't realize acting was something I had to do until I got to college.

I worked with the best directors - Martin Scorsese, John Huston, David Lynch, Alfred Hitchcock. Alfred Hitchcock was great.

'Paris, Texas' gave me a chance to play compassion, and I'm spelling that with a capital C.

I don't blame anyone but myself for the kind of parts I got. To blame external circumstances is absolute folly.

I made it a point not to graduate. I thought that was a positive, independent kind of statement.

Sam Shepard is a brilliant writer.

Silence is the most powerful state.

I've passed up opportunities. I've avoided the spotlight. I've never been to Academy Awards, didn't relate to them.

I've had offers that could've made me much richer and much more famous than I am.

I am an actor and this is holding the mirror up to nature, as it were.

I am not into any religions. I have been mostly influenced by Eastern religions - Taoism, the essence of Hinduism and Buddhism. But my belief is not having any beliefs.

I grew up Southern Baptist. In the Bible Belt.

All organized religions are basically the same.

I'm tired of playing people who are complete washouts and bums. I don't mind waiting for the good ones to come along. It's like age. It's never bothered me. I've even forgot my birthday. Many times I've wondered if I should tell my real age, but now I think it's an honor, to be doing what I'm doing now at my age.

I think every actor wants to play those big parts. In the very first play I ever did, I remember understanding all the characters in it. I always felt I could play anyone.

I would've preferred to blossom earlier in life.

If I never did another film after 'Paris, Texas,' I'd be happy.

My father and mother were not that compatible. I don't think they had a good wedding night, and I was the product of that. We weren't close.

I was in World War Two at the battle of Okinawa.

I can understand why it takes some people a long time to really be a singer. You have to find out, 'Why am I singing? What am I doing this for?' I do it because I enjoy it, and philosophically, music is a catalyst. It's a refining agent.

People know you as an actor, and labels are so comfortable for people. That syndrome is always hard to get past.

People kept asking me, 'When are you singing again?' so I kept doing it. It was that simple.

I can't stress too much how much Ry Cooder was an influence on me. Having one of the most respected musicians around like my singing really gave me the confidence to do it.