TV Character Quotes

It's difficult to get away from the shadow of a TV character.

In 2013, I started playing Fara Sherazi on 'Homeland.' I love playing her, not just because she's a strong woman, but because for the first time, a Muslim woman is being portrayed on television as a regular person, rather than a cliche or collection of stereotypes.

Could there have been a better role for Florence Henderson than Mrs. Brady? She nurtured everybody. She was so caring.

Francis Underwood was entirely based on Richard III. When Michael Dobbs wrote 'House of Cards' in the original British series, Richard III is what he based the character on.

Honestly, I would love to be friends with Fox Mulder on 'The X-Files.' That's almost a little too obvious, but that would be my answer. I'd love to hang out with him.

I think people identify with Columbo because he is an average man.

I love the character I played in 'Criminal Minds.'

Hank Schrader is a really good guy - and so is Dean Norris.

I've never been to New Zealand before. But one of my role models, Xena, the warrior princess, comes from there.

Along came a police lieutenant named Columbo, and my life would never be the same.

I've never really been a character on TV. I think, if possible, you want to portray yourself. If you're in a situation where you're supposed to react, you need to react.

Sam Seaborn is the best character that's ever been written for me, certainly. By far. And it's a timeless show [The West Wing], one that's having another resurgence now, with people so in an uproar politically.

I loved Hank Kingsley. He was very real to me. There was just something about that character. I really believed him. I didn't think he was a buffoon. I understood the inner workings of him, so I sort of felt sorry for him, the poor guy. He was very important to me.

It's a moment that I will be asked about for the rest of my life as an actor, and I carry that moment with pride, that Rita [in Dexter] had such an impact and that it was such a gut-wrenching moment for audience members.

I don't know if you want to see the Everybody Loves Raymond guy in a nude scene.

David Wain's character on 'Bob's Burgers' is really funny and silly and makes me laugh.

And now comes Pete Martell in Twin Peaks and he's just a nice guy.

Initially, they wanted Columbo to wear a driving coat. I said: 'Are you kidding? He's not an English aristocrat.'

In the end, Kane will be remembered as a character I played on TV. In that respect, I want people to remember me for more than that.

Fonzie was impossibly cool.

I am not Spock. But given the choice, if I had to be someone else, I would be Spock. If someone said, "You can have the choice of being any other TV character ever played," I would choose Spock. I like him. I admire him. I respect him

My character on 'The Sopranos' was specific to being a single mother and being from Jersey. And being part of that season finale... wow. That show is always going to be world-renowned and iconic.

One thing that's coming up a lot is: are you as grumpy as you appear from this Black Books thing.

I've been asked a few thousand times how much of Columbo is Falk and vice versa.

My character on 'The Good Wife' is a smaller character, and his story arcs are typically season-long, unless it's a big episode for him. His transitions take place over many, many hours.