Alan Cumming

I was horrified when Richard Chamberlain and Rupert Everett said gay actors should stay in the closet. They were saying to people that they should live a lie and not be liberated, to live in fear of being found out.

I don't avoid anyone but I always think some people hate me.

I think American actors are much more intimidated by Shakespeare.

Actors aren't stupid, mostly, and if there's a sensibility and an aesthetic that a director's going for, if you're aware of that too, you can do things to help that.

I think you can be as big as you like as long as you mean it. I really do.

There are some days when you don't feel like being Alan Cumming.

I think directing in a team is a really good idea because it stops the cult of the director as God straight away, and also you're discussing things on set so it opens it out to everyone and it becomes a totally collaborative thing. And you have someone who supports you when you're feeling a bit insecure.

Nowadays people don't know how to handle it if all the ends aren't tied up and they're not told what to think in films. And if they're challenged, they think it's something wrong with the film.

It's really rare for film directors to be that interested in things other than themselves.

I love a film where I get squished by two dumpsters or I fly through the air.

With 'Urban Secrets,' I just really liked the idea of wandering around chatting to people.

My mum always told me I was precious, while my dad always told me I was worthless. I think that's a good grounding for a balanced life.