What I learned most from my father wasn’t anything he said; it was just the way he behaved. He loved his work so much that, whenever he came on set, he brought that with him, and other people rose to it.

What are the aspects of yourself that line up with the character? You magnify those, and the ones that don’t match up you kind of kick to the curb.

One of the things I want to do that’s outside the realm of acting and the arts – although both have their place in this – is ending childhood hunger here in America.

My m.o. as far as choosing projects is I really try not to work. I try to not do the scripts that are offered me. I’m in this wonderful position to be able to do that. The reason I do that is because I know what it takes once I engage, what that means for me personally and for my wife.

I’m not counting any chickens.

I had years of partying, and I was kind of surprised and happy I survived it all. Now, being a parent, I look back on it thinking, Oh God, the things you did!

What I learned most from my father wasn’t anything he said; it was just the way he behaved. He loved his work so much that, whenever he came on set, he brought that with him, and other people rose to it.

Sure, I get the blues. But what I try to do, is apply joy to the blues, you know? I don’t know if it’s a technique, or just being bent that way, being raised by the folks I was raised by.

I don’t think I ever went down that movie star path. I always enjoy taking a 90-degree turn from the last thing I did.

Sticking with a marriage. That’s true grit, man.

I love John Irving’s stuff. It’s that marriage of comedy and tragedy. It’s really terrific.

Movies are like magic tricks.

A large part of acting is just pretending. You get to work with these other great make-believers, all making believe as hard as they can.

Making films is sort of like you’re pulling off a magic trick. It’s sort of like an illusion. It’s not real but you want it to appear real, and all kinds of things go into that, from the clothes you’re wearing to the make-up, to the light.

I had a great ’70s. I survived it, and that’s always good news.

As far as Beau is concerned, we’re on the same team, we root for each other. If my parts are slightly more attractive, or are perceived that way by others, he’s very content.

Working with my dad was such a gas. We approached the work in a similar way. We only made two films together when I was an adult, Tucker, and Blown Away, but it was so much fun to play with your parent like that.

This idea of how everything is interconnected, and the impermanence of things. It sums up the human condition to me, and it helps me on my path.

The problem with the designated driver programme, it’s not a desirable job. But if you ever get sucked into doing it, have fun with it. At then end of the night drop them off at the wrong house.

I’m very manipulative towards directors. My theory is that everyone on the set is directing the film, we’re all receiving art messages from the universe on how we should do the film.

Most cynics are really crushed romantics: they’ve been hurt, they’re sensitive, and their cynicism is a shell that’s protecting this tiny, dear part in them that’s still alive.

For me, growing up, the downside of it was that as a kid you don’t want to stand out. You don’t want to have a famous father let alone get a job because of your famous father, you know? But I’m a product of nepotism. That’s how I got my foot in the door, through my dad.

Nowadays, in the contract that actors sign, you have to agree that you’re going to do a certain amount of publicity-the hard part they don’t pay you for.

I’ve had really great experiences working with first-time directors. They come at filmmaking with fresh ideas. I’ve been very lucky that way.

As far as the lack of hits goes, I think perhaps it’s because I’ve played a lot of different roles and have not created a persona that the public can latch on to. I have played everything from psychopathic killers to romantic leading men, and in picking such diverse roles I have avoided typecasting.