David Schwimmer

I started in theater. I did theater professionally for seven years with my company before I started doing 'Friends.' I was waiting tables and doing theater.

If I were given a choice between two films and one was dark and explored depraved, troubled or sick aspects of our culture, I would always opt for that over the next romantic comedy.

I don't think I responded very well to the sudden celebrity, the sudden fame, and the loss of privacy.

To be perfectly honest, I feel I have a duty to use my celebrity status in a positive way.

As an actor, the training I received was that I walk through the world as an observer of life and of people. My job is to actually be looking out all the time and watching people.

I'm fiercely loyal to my friends, and I really cherish my friendships.

When you're playing the same character for a decade it's natural that there are moments when you want to try something new.

I've made a good amount of money. I'm very happy that I can now support my theatre company and support friends and family, and I'm ready to maybe go back to school and change careers.

Sometimes I've felt that the industry has typecast me as a certain kind of character. But then I think all it really takes is one role, the right role, to shake that up and change that perception.

And the thing is, every time you start a new show or do a new series, you're committing to another six years.

Older actors can still play young, but it's harder for young actors to be able to play that age range.

My parents from a very young age raised my sister and I under a pressure to achieve. They're both attorneys. So good marks, getting through university, there was a huge emphasis and pressure to do well and keep going.