I'm still Sean that me mates went to school with, not Sean the film star. And that's the way I prefer to be.

I'm proud of Lord of the Rings. I think it's a once in a lifetime role, and a once in a lifetime film. It was made with so much care and passion and meticulous detail and everybody was so behind it.

Listen to people and treat people as you find them. There's an inherent goodness in most people. Don't pre-judge people - that was me Mam's advice anyway.

I sometimes find that playing the bad guy, or villains, or psychopaths tend to be much more psychologically rewarding. And you can really push it, you can push the limits, and get away with it.

If you have a very good concept of your character, you can snap into it.

My family thought the fascination with acting was just another fad.

Lord of the Rings was just so much enjoyment. It was over about the space of a year that I was filming. It's one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done, so emotional.

I'd been trying for a while to get parts that weren't just the English bad guy, so it was quite refreshing to be playing someone who was a compassionate, decent guy.

It was such an interesting character and the film really explored his friendship with Bond and how it all went wrong, so it was a very personal journey for both characters.

To be honest, you have to do a big Hollywood film to get enough money to do a good independent film!

I had no intention of being an actor. I was quite good at it. I was pretty capable at other things but never any good at anything.

A very disappointing outcome is always destined to happen to anyone who chases material things in search of happiness.

I met a lot of famous people when I was about 24. And none of them seemed very appealing. And so I didn't know why I would struggle to be that kind of person.

I want to find the candidates who understand the principles of American exceptionalism and have the character, the courage, and the confidence to actually lead the greatest nation in the world.

You haven't seen a tree until you've seen its shadow from the sky.

Discipline is like cabbage. We may not care for it ourselves, but feel sure it would be good for somebody else.

It took me a long time to learn how to write a good song.

I want to entertain people, whether it be with a comedy, a drama or a movie. An idea's an idea.

We learn best with focused attention. As we focus on what we're learning, the brain maps that information on what we already know making new neural connections

Anger is the feeling that makes your mouth work faster than your mind.

Be open to your dreams, people. Embrace that distant shore. Because our mortal journey is over all too soon.