After college, I went into the NBC Page Program. It's one of those great programs that allows kids to get their feet wet in every area of the business.
I learned my profession onstage. I didn't have a musical background. I had no conservatory training. I don't play an instrument.
I've been fortunate that my career has developed through on-the-job training.
Do you know the difference between education and experience? Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don't.
From 1965 to 1974, I served the best possible apprenticeship for an actor. I learned firsthand how a truck driver lives, what a bartender does, how a salesman thinks. I had to make a life inside those jobs, not just pretend.
I graduated from UC San Diego, wanted to work in film to get my hands-on real experience, did music videos, TV, feature films, all kinds of stuff.
I think a lot of good actors - for instance, Gary Sinise - have no training. His training was really entirely on his feet. I suppose you have to have an instinct for it.
There's a whole catalogue of actors that never went to acting school.
I've always been more inclined to go out to work than carry on with academic studies.
Some people think all young actors should come up through the ranks of theatre. I don't necessarily think that's true.
