Steve Coogan

Most of all I don't want to be bored. That's why I'd rather do something that has some sort of ambition, that risks failing, rather than make safer, more comfortable choices.

The tabloids operate in an amoral parallel universe where the bottom line is selling newspapers.

I happen to have a public profile. Ditto newspaper editors. It's a result of what I do, not an end.

I'm an entertainer. I don't go round saying I'm a paragon of virtue, so that is clearly not in the public interest.

My father worked for IBM. My mother raised us kids. There were six of us, and a couple of extra foster kids at any given time.

I always find it easier to portray myself as being unlikeable and idiotic; to actually play a character that is likeable and engages the audience is far more difficult. It's a more subtle kind of challenge.

I don't think I'm kind of universally known. I think in the indie world I'm probably better known than in some mainstream Hollywood terms.

The best feeling in the world is performing in front of a live audience who like what you're doing. I can understand why people become dictators just because of the thrill they get making the speeches.

Actually, bizarrely, in America, I get more appreciation from the odd, unusual stuff I've done, almost because I'm not, if you like, famous in America as I am in England.

If you are a great dramatic actor then you often don't know if people are enjoying your stuff at all because they are sitting there in silence.

I find impressionists slightly annoying, really.

I have never wanted to be famous, as such - fame is a by-product.