DENNIS CHRISTOPHER

I've done three Broadway shows; once the curtain goes up, that's it. I mean, you prepare and you rehearse like crazy, but after opening night, the director's not there anymore, you know. He gives you notes during previews after each performance, but opening night, you're on your own.

I've had a 'Zelig'-like career. I pop up unexpectedly. I'm always kind of around.

The secret is that I am Italian.

I've had the good fortune of working with some amazing people. I mean, my first Broadway show was with Elizabeth Taylor and Maureen Stapleton. Maureen Stapleton, a legend in the theatre; Elizabeth Taylor, a legend, period.

Character actors have a long shelf life.

The cult of celebrity turned me off, and when the opportunities came along for me to play different characters, that's what I went for rather than the safe choices.

There's no really signature Leo DiCaprio role, like Jack Nicholson is Jack Nicholson no matter what movie he's in.

I've done a lot of things with theater that I'm very, very proud of.

My first Broadway show was with Elizabeth Taylor and Maureen Stapleton. Maureen Stapleton, a legend in the theatre; Elizabeth Taylor, a legend, period.

There were two things I wanted to be: an actor and a hippie.

I'm not getting involved in sports anymore, except on film. I'm not agile unless a camera's going.

I had a bike as a kid, and when I worked in Manhattan - I had a 10-speed - I rode from downtown to 68th and Madison for my day job. I knew about fighting traffic, but nothing about racing.

There are always leading characters. There are always complex characters; there are very rewarding plays with great directors and tremendous playwrights, yeah. I've done a lot of things with theater that I'm very, very proud of.

I've done a lot of stage in my life, but I never had to dominate a stage for three hours.

I had a handle on satisfaction, and I loved my career, but I didn't really know what happiness was. So I started on this quest to have a happy life.

Acting had become something I did and did well - but didn't particularly enjoy.

It would be a dream come true to appear on Turner Classic Movies with Robert Osborne, who is one of my heroes.

I guess once you've seen Uma Thurman beaten up endlessly in the 'Kill Bill' movies, you think, 'If Uma can take it, what's the matter with me?'

'Breaking Away' was a great experience. It's the kind of movie that engenders a lot of goodwill from people. It's a movie that they cherish. and I feel very welcomed and accepted by people because of that.

I have my opinions about the way my father was. But they are my opinions, not necessarily the truth, and they are certainly not the whole spectrum of what this man was going through. It's my young, selfish interpretation of that person.

One of my best friends, Stephen Sprouse, Bill Dugan, and I worked designing clothes, doing every conceivable thing. New York was a really intoxicating period for me, literally and figuratively. There was a lot of overlap with Andy Warhol, Studio 54, and Halston.

I've never chosen or rejected a role because of money.

In my drive to be the perfect artist, I've left a lot of living to the side.

I don't know why every actor doesn't do more plays.

You don't get paid a whole lot for theatre, but you know, I feel more like, 'Where could I buy this experience, and how much would it cost? Who else would give me this kind of focus and put me in a room with this kind of talent?'