Kirk Douglas

You know, you have to have some inner philosophy to deal with adversity.

The learning process continues until the day you die.

Acting is a youthful profession.

What would my parents think about America if they arrived here today? Would they even want to come? I wonder.

When you reach 95, after you get over your surprise, you start looking back.

Now, what does an actor who can't talk do? Wait for silent pictures to come back?

If I have to speak in public, I am terrified.

God bless Dad, he came to every one of my shows. I was bad, and I had horrible stage fright. My dad was so relieved - he'd say, 'You were terrible; this kid is not going to be an actor.' Finally, I did a play and he said, 'Son - you were really good.'

I studied Judaism a lot. I studied religion in general, and I have never imposed my Judaism on my kids. They are what they want to be. I think... you must care for others. That's the correct religion, I think.

I was not a very good Jew. I never practised what Judaism tells you to do, to teach your kids all about Judaism.

Being second generation in Hollywood is complicated: Success is expected, and yet the track record of the second generation is not great. Only a small group of us, like Jane Fonda, have succeeded.

I didn't think I was so tough until I did 'Champion'; then I was a tough guy.