Growing up, I saw the world as an inspiring place full of interesting people.

When I was growing up, my family was serious about manners. I always wanted to put my elbow on the table to prop my head up. I didn't understand how other people looked awake. My head felt so heavy after the whole day.

Growing up in a very big family, working together and playing together, that is something that has been part of my life since ever I was born. It has advantages and disadvantages. It's like an older style of living where everyone works in the family business.

I studied philosophy at Columbia, then dropped out to do drama at the Lee Strasberg Institute.

My mother wanted me to be a professor, because I have several people in my family who are professors at university.

I went to Cambridge University and was the first in my family to graduate.

My family is not so different from the rest of America. I think people love to see that, 'Oh, just because she's on television and in Hollywood, I can still relate to her.'

Death in its natural state can be very beautiful. When you think about a body that's died of natural causes - family taking care of it - all of that is very beautiful.