Paul Giamatti

It is because my dad died suddenly that I became an actor. I thought, I'm going to make money doing this thing I enjoy.

Honestly, I never wanted to be more than a good supporting actor. Really, I enjoy it.

I think one of the great things about acting is the instant gratification: you just get up and start being a part of the story. The immediacy is something you get really addicted to.

The 'Planet of the Apes' movies made me wanna - probably unconsciously - be an actor. Seriously. And The Mummy - and 'Hammer horror' movies. 'Fantastic.' I loved stuff like that, and that stuff probably did more than anything to make me wanna do it.

Am I an anxious guy? I think I have been called upon as an actor a lot to access emotions like that. But I don't really think I am a big worrier. I don't see myself like that. But I guess other people do. Which is maybe worrying in itself.

If I play a more aggressive, stronger guy, I often go through my day feeling a bit better than when I play somebody who's not.

There is something pleasurable for an actor to produce something and not be in it.

I have the mentality of a supporting actor.

I like playing weird, kind of shady people.

Somehow whatever I play ends up being sleazy.

I find that the crazy narcissists, the selfish loons are often the most fun to be around, weirdly.

I don't mind being stereotyped in some way and playing certain kinds of guys, but if I can find something to occasionally get a break from that, that would be nice. And I feel like I manage to.