I was so hungry when I started attempting acting. Not even to be a professional. Just to find out if I could act.

If anyone gets arrogant about their religion, that's when the religion isn't effective anymore. Any decent religion or any decent philosophy is always about tolerance and individual freedom, not about harm.

I've spent a lot of years waiting for the right thing to come in - and now, after 'Thrones,' there's a possibility that I could actually have a hand in getting something made.

Let's just shatter the illusion. I am not wealthy. I've lived in the same house for the past 30 years.

I came from a very poor family and my main dream in life was to break out of this poverty.

I didn't know anyone in my family who acted; no one in my immediate family did any acting.

I grew up in a family struggling for work.

Religious beliefs have played a vital role in forming America's character as well as my own. I was raised as a Lutheran, and I believe in God and consider my faith and involvement with organized religion to be an important part of who I am.