“When I sing, people shut up.”

Just imagine how boring life would be if we were all the same. My idea of a perfect world is one in which we really appreciated each other’s differences: Short, tall; Democrat, Republican; black, white; gay, straight-a world in which all of us are equal, but definitely not the same.

The artist as citizen is here to stay.

Just like my father, I’ve always loved education. In school I was a member of the honor society.

As a young woman, I wanted nothing more than to see my name in lights.

Sometimes you resent the people you love and need the most. Love is so fascinating in all its forms, and I think everyone who has ever been a mother will relate to this.

Marlon Brando. The finest actor who ever lived. He was my idol when I was 13. He’s done enough work to last two lifetimes. Everything I do, I think: Can Brando play this with me?

I was kind of a wild child. I wasn’t taught the niceties of life.

I want the best product for my audience, and if I don’t care 100%, who will? It’s my name, my likeness that goes out there.

What reaches an audience is honesty. If you’re saying something truthful that’s supposed to be a funny line, it’s going to be funny. And if it’s supposed to be a serious line, it’s going to be serious. But, I don’t think there’s a distinction between how you play drama or comedy, if it’s based in the truth.

I can’t stand to see red in my profit-or-loss column. I’m Taurus the bull, so I react to red. If I see it, I sell my stocks quickly.

Most awards, you know, they don’t give you unless you go and get them – did you know that? Terribly discouraging.

I don’t think I’m tough in a so called tough way. I’m tough on myself.

I think of myself as a girl from Brooklyn.

I started going to acting school when I was 14, and I would always have my own take on things.

It’s not a date. We’re just agreeing to eat at the same table.

I’m a terrible lip-syncer anyway because I have to be in the moment, and I can’t lip-sync to something I recorded three months before.

I still sing every day – in the shower or on the set all day. I’m sure everyone will tell you that I never shut up. But it’s not in the capacity that I would like to.

Shut up if you only spew hate.

Never miss a good chance to shut up.

Shut up, I know what I’m doing!

Everybody shut up. Let us work.