Quotes

[on working with Bette Davis on the TV movie Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter (1979)] When they offered that part opposite her, I didn't want to do it. I thought, what if all my illusions were broken? But I couldn't resist the temptation. She's no pussycat -- she's just a great and independent artist and I loved every minute working with her.

[on John Cassavetes] We had a great deal of freedom when John acted. We traveled a lot and it was fun. But with directing ... really. I think people don't have all their marbles who prefer directing to acting because you write for three months, you cut for maybe six months. He's the most terrifying perfectionist about what he wants. As an artist, I love him. As a husband, I hate him.

[on her role in A Woman Under the Influence (1974)] I knew many girls who had had breakdowns. I drew little touches from each of them and a lot from myself. I don't mean I'm really going mad, but I'm a little crazy - we all are - and sometimes I let things go.

Children are everything actors say they are. They're unpredictable; they steal scenes, but that's what makes them so much fun. They're not brainwashed and that's very exciting. You never know what they're going to do or say - how they'll respond.

[on receiving an honorary Oscar] I didn't think for a minute that I was going to get it. I think it's awfully nice.

[on A Woman Under the Influence (1974)] I liked the script very much. It was sort of a difficult role. But I like difficult roles.

[on working with her husband John Cassavetes] I was part of the acting group. He treated me no differently.

[on The Notebook (2004)] The kids -- Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling -- were such good actors. I was happy to work with Jim Garner [James Garner]. Everyone said it must be hard to work for your son [Nick Cassavetes]. I guess when you feel loved, everything is easy.

[on her son Nick Cassavetes] He is much like John [John Cassavetes] in his direction. He loves actors and doesn't throw himself around.

[on her and John Cassavetes first meet] I went to New York to audition for the American Academy at Carnegie Hall. I remember the one thing I knew was I didn't want to fall in love, I didn't want to get married and I didn't want to have children. At the auditions, other students could drop in anytime to watch the new actors, and John was there when it was my turn. He saw me, and he said to the friend who was next to him, "I'm going to marry her." It was the beautiful red gown I was wearing. But he came backstage and was very pleasant, and I thought, "I don't want to get involved in this." So we didn't date or anything for a while. Once in a while, we would meet and get coffee, and he'd ask if I'd like to go out, and I said, "No, I'm not interested in going out with anyone. I'm going to be an actress." And it just went along that way until I graduated.

If you liked to act you just go ahead and act. I know there are many people who feel there's a certain kind of training that you should have like the method, and I have nothing against method actors, they're terrific and most of my friends are method actors. But you don't necessarily have to have training. You just have to love to do it.

When I was very young, I was sick for several years, and I just read and read and read. I think one of the most wonderful things about acting is that you get to live so many lives, as in reading too. I'm sure that influenced me. I never wanted to be anything but an actress.

I saw every Bette Davis picture I could lay my hands on, 20 times. When I was young, women in films and the general public were very firmly taught to be polite and not answer back no matter what was said, but not Bette. She was tough, and she was so flippant -- it's hardly a strong enough word -- but tough in the right way. She wasn't going to do something because someone told her that she must. I liked that.