“Hollywood is more concerned about its male actors being in shape than its female actors.”

In Hollywood, I think I get a bad rap for being a perfectionist. It’s something that’s not always welcomed in Hollywood, because you’re always pushing people and you’re pushing yourself to be the best that you can be.

I grew up in an artists community in New York, in a building that was government-subsidised for artists. No one made any money, but they made art for the sake of art.

With age, you get to a place where you don’t want to knock people out. You just want to give people a hug.

I always want another actor to shine in my scene because it makes the film stronger. I would encourage people to scene steal, because filmmaking is a collaborative effort.

My mother is the most supportive mother in the world, she’s magical.

When I’m writing, I’m locking myself in a room. I’m the worst critic in the world. I write something and then I beat myself up. I’m like “Vin, you’re retarded, that makes no sense.”

I’m an actor. I can do whatever I want. As an actor, not everything has to be the most obvious choice. And sometimes, the best thing you can do is to defy expectations.

I’m not really afraid of the dark, except if I’m walking. The thing that scares me the most is the possibility of walking into a wall and busting my lip.

When people believe in you, you can do miraculous things.

When I was a child actor, I had the fear that I was going to be cast as the tree.

I’m going to do my best to channel the character on a spiritual level.

The films that I do are deep, introspective, brooding roles that you’re in this heavy headspace all the time.

I envision the future sunny and with love, harmony and oneness. I think Hollywood is changing.

I’ve directed independent film.

My mom used to say that I became a fighter and a scrapper and a tough guy to protect who I am at my core.

If you think about my filmography, I have never done a movie that a kid could go see, except for Iron Giant, and I’m not even on the screen.

It is everyone’s prerogative to retire. But it’s like giving up on life as far as I’m concerned.

A very small matter, when all is said; only a fool would be concerned about it.

In film, other actors’ performances really are not your concern. If the other actor isn’t giving you what you want, act as though he were.

People come up to me… concerned… that I’ll reproduce.

Wearing short skirts while dancing to a manic routine without showing your knickers or looking indecent is a talent, as far as I’m concerned.

The problem is that no ethical system has ever achieved consensus. Ethical systems are completely unlike mathematics or science. This is a source of concern.

Everyone’s a millionaire where promises are concerned.

I think the key is basically just your determination. As far an artist is concerned, it’s just about your drive and your dream.