When I see someone who just follows their dream and succeeds, and just does basically what they want to do and doesn’t have to answer to anyone, obviously not harming anyone, that’s great.
I’ve always enjoyed hiding behind these characters. I could stand up in front of, it doesn’t matter how many people, as a character. But if I had to do it as myself and give a speech, I would be liquid.
I still approach a scene as one would approach a guitar solo. You don’t exactly know how you’re going to phrase this or that. Which I think is beautiful. That idea of chance.
I love the idea of changing my look. I think one owes it to the audience, to go out there and give them something different each time, so as not to bore them to death.
Anything I’ve done up till 27 May, 1999 was kind of an illusion, existing without living. My daughter, the birth of my daughter, gave me life.
The only creatures that are evolved enough to convey pure love are dogs and infants.
I can remember when I finished Edward Scissorhands (1990), looking in the mirror as the girl was doing my make-up for the last time and thinking — it was like the 90th or 89th day of shooting — and I remember looking and going, “Wow, this is it. I’m saying goodbye to this guy, I’m saying goodbye to Edward Scissorhands”. You know, it was kind of sad. But in fact, I think they’re all still somehow in there.
With any part you play, there is a certain amount of yourself in it. There has to be, otherwise it’s just not acting. It’s lying.
I’m an old-fashioned guy . . . I want to be an old man with a beer belly sitting on a porch, looking at a lake or something.
Sure, I find it touching, honestly, but awards are not as important to me as when I meet a ten-year-old kid who says, “I love Captain Jack Sparrow” . . . that’s real magic for me.
I’m shy, paranoid, whatever word you want to use. I hate fame. I’ve done everything I can to avoid it.
On a film you start to get closer and closer with the people you’re working with, and it becomes like this circus act or this travelling family.
My body is my journal, and my tattoos are my story.
Just keep moving forward and don’t give a shit about what anybody thinks. Do what you have to do, for you.
I am doing things that are true to me. The only thing I have a problem with is being labeled.
My daughter was asked by a little old lady in a London hotel restaurant what her daddy did. She answered, “He’s a pirate” – I was very proud of that answer.