“My mum always told me I was precious, while my dad always told me I was worthless. I think that’s a good grounding for a balanced life.”

He … knew, in that instant, that his life would not be an easy one-he was different, he looked different, he thought differently.

If they’re not seeing that their society sees gay people as equals, how could you tell them what they’re doing is wrong?

I think American actors are much more intimidated by Shakespeare. I actually want to do this Shakespeare play in New York, but I think it’s interesting that there’s this gaping hole in the repertoire in the American theater, which is Shakespeare.

So the experts think we could have an AIDS-free generation in Africa by 2015, even if the mothers are positive.

Pantomime is a big thing in the cultural calendar of my country, you know. So subtlety’s not my forte.

In my first year at drama school, I did this kids’ show called ‘Let’s See.

I think people deny themselves by putting themselves into categories.

Once in a while it’s good to challenge yourself in a way that’s really daunting.

It’s interesting, for me sappy means sentimental and something that gets you in your heart, gets you emotional. That’s what I mean. Also, of course, it means that I’m slightly setting up the audience that there’s a bit of fun involved, as well.

Sometimes people do you a favour when they drop out of your life.

I’d been depressed before, of course. But I’m talking about really depressed. Not just feeling a bit down or sad, a depression that has something to do with biorhythms. I’m talking about the kind of depressed that floats in upon you like a fog.

I come more to Scotland than I ever used to, so I feel more connected to it, more part of the zeitgeist. You know when you realize you have a choice and I’m choosing my homeland. It’s funny: when you get older these things creep up to you.

It’s actually quite a good ethos for life: go into the unknown with truth, commitment, and openness and mostly you’ll be okay.

So if I’m swirling around on some wires, talking to Fred Flintstone, I make it the funnest I can. I also want to be good at it. I don’t want to be a crap cartoon character. I want to be proud I’m a vitamin!

Working with good people is always good.

Kids are more genuine. When they come up and want to talk to you, they don’t have an agenda. It’s more endearing and less piercing to your aura.

My dad always told me to stand up to bullies, and Bill O’Reilly is kind of a bully, and he’s the kind of kid who hits other kids on the playground.

Music is more of a hobby to me than my hobbies, if that makes sense.

My dad was a terrible businessman.

My dad didn’t graduate from high school, ended up being a printing salesman, probably never made more than $8,000 a year.

My views about God come from my dad. Dad told me that he believed Nature, which to him included humankind, to be so beautiful, so magnificent, that there had to be something behind it all.

My dad never graduated high school. He was a printing salesman.

My dad loved comedians, especially George Jessel, and he loved Henny Youngman and Buddy Hackett.

I grew up on the back of a motorcycle – my dad didn’t have a car until I was a teenager. And then my closest friend from grade school was a guy.