Brian Dennehy Quotes

I keep saying that, if Samuel L. Jackson and Bette Davis could have a baby, it would be Taraji P. Henson. To me, she's one of the greatest character actors of our generation, let alone leading ladies. She's just phenomenal in everything she does.

Having said that, I'm a huge Jack Nicholson fan because he just goes nuts in everything he does. Having Jack in his heyday would also be a dream come true.

I always wanted to be Gene Hackman and I always wanted to be, you know... I wanted to be one of these guys. I always wanted to be Bob Duvall.

I look up to Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon. I'm a huge fan of their work. I also like actors who really transform themselves, like Joaquin Phoenix. And I loved Robin Williams growing up. He does comedy and drama so brilliantly.

I have a huge acting crush on Gene Hackman. I just love watching him.

Stanley Tucci is a classy actor, and Ian Holm is very short but equally classy - and both are also amazing.

Jeff Bridges is one of those icons that I put on a very high pedestal, so just to get to chill with him off-camera on cold, rainy days was surreal.

There are many brilliant actors, including our own Dilip Kumar, but Robert de Niro is something else.

Gene Hackman was a superstar in the '70s - with that face!

When I think of character actors, I think of Spencer Tracy; I think of Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall. When I was a young lad watching films, my eyes were on them - watching 'On the Waterfront,' my eyes are on Rod Steiger and Karl Malden, not on Brando.

Hey, I'm just trying to become the Michael Caine/Gene Hackman of my generation.

I was never really a character actor - I was a leading man who was always cast as a character. I wanted to be Jack Nicholson or Jean Gabin.

If I could work with any actor it would have to be Johnny Depp. He is cool.

Meryl Streep is my favorite actor. She is so classy and a brilliant actress. Her performance in 'Sophie's Choice' just kills me.

I love watching Samuel L. Jackson do anything, but for me, Gary Oldman is the grandmaster of the game.

When I was growing up and somebody like Robert De Niro had a movie come out, it was a cultural event. Because he had such a confidence and a single mission that was so intimate.

Meryl Streep does things I would never have thought possible... Her presence on screen is outstanding.

Some of the biggest movie stars in the world are essentially characters.

One of my favourite actors of all time, although he doesn't necessarily play villains, is Peter Lorre.

It takes extraordinary times to make an ordinary man brilliant.

My favourite performances are by actresses like Bette Davis in 'All About Eve' or Gena Rowlands in pretty much anything - performances that have nothing to do with age.

Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman are just incredible.

There are very few actors who elevate a scene through their persona. Like for example, Rajinikanth does it with his style. He doesn't need anything else.

My favourite actor is Daniel Day Lewis. He's the finest actor in Hollywood. I've studied his performances.

Forget horror icon, Kety Bates is an icon. She's an acting icon. I was raised on so many of her films, everything from Misery to Fried Green Tomatoes to Delores Claiborne, all films that I've watched multiple times and been inspired by.