I thought, 'Wow, if we could have a career that was five or six years long, that would be fantastic.' And, of course, never even thinking it would still be something I'd be doing in 45 years.
The good thing about radio is that it's the kind of career that really is a career with longevity. It's something you can do as long as you want to do.
I have no way of knowing why my career has lasted so long other than the fact that people like the sound of my voice. Fortunately, I've been able to maintain it.
In a genre where most of the artists are one-hit wonders, I've been able to hang around longer than most "serious" acts. I pride myself in being a very talented leech.
When I'm introduced as a two-time Oscar winner, I'm happy that a film of mine has found an audience and some acclaim because that keeps me in business. A filmmaker's greatest concern is the ability to make future films, so it helps keep me in business.
A lot of singers entered the industry with me. A lot of them struggled. Many have not been able to make it but some have sustained.
Perhaps I have managed some sort of longevity because I haven't won the lead roles.
I don't want to be one of those young actors who is around for a couple of years and melts off the scene.
Who would know that by playing a nerdy alien and a child killer, I would have a 30-year career in Hollywood? I've outlasted so many people.
Anybody who has the illusion that you can have a career as long as I have and be a star is kidding themselves.
