Jeff Daniels

I just never did buy this idea that you have to live in Los Angeles to be an actor. I didn't see that as a requirement in my job description.

I went to Walter Reed hospital a couple of times to visit wounded soldiers, kids with no legs and one arm. You start to question some things.

Our kids are in their twenties now, which is a wonderful time.

I'm the guy to call. Look at the resume. I have kids of my own. I have dogs.

Television in the last few years has been where all the great writers are going. TV now is what indie film used to be.

On cable now, the writer is king. Any actor chases that.

I love the theater, but if I had to choose, I would choose a film at this time in my life. Something meaty, to sink my teeth into.

I love living in Michigan, which has been great for my kids and my family.

I think Michigan keeps you sane and on an even keel through the ups and downs. In Michigan, I do fireworks, shovel snow and live life.

As an actor, you're always at the service of somebody else's vision. In a play, it's more of the director's vision, and he or she's got their hands on you all the way up to opening night, and if it's a film, there are even more people.

We're all capable of anything as human beings. Any emotion, any action. We really are.

The older you get, and the more you're in this business, the more you kind of feel like, 'Why don't we just do it my way?'