Jed Mercurio Quotes

I saw and I met a lot of people who were in the field. It also provided a context in which I came to respect what the actor did, because I saw how difficult it actually was to do.

I've long been a fan of Chiwetel Ejiofor. I think he's a great actor. He's my kind of guy. He does what I aspire to do.

There are so many young talented actors today whose work I respect and admire - Ryan Gosling is probably primary among them. I take inspiration from so many amazing actors.

I loved working with Mandy Patinkin, I have to say.

Robert De Niro's sort of like a surfer: he doesn't really force anything. So if he catches the wave, or something spills out - to watch a guy be a force at what he does. He has a good worth ethic.

Judi Dench and Ian McKellen taught me how to work hard and respect the theatre.

Judi Dench has always been the benchmark for me. Everything I have seen her do is incredible. I also really admire Cate Blanchett. In terms of people I have worked with, there is no one more admirable than Hugh Jackman, for his spirit, energy, generosity and hard work.

I'm often asked, 'Who has you worked with who you really thought was great?' and I think Eleanor Parker was the first and one of the only who was a really accomplished actress, a really caring actress, who was most unselfish, and I was secretly in love with her.

It is a distinct and an honor to work with the august Regina King. I would call her Queen King. This woman is one of our treasures. She's an actor's actor. She has craft to burn. She's a craftsman who knows what she is doing, and she's got soul.

Arjun Rampal is one of the best co-stars I've ever worked with.

I appreciate the level of professionalism and talent that I get to be around every night, eight times a week.

I've learned a lot from Irrfan. Working with him was nothing less than a fan moment for me throughout.

There's a slew of actors that I'd love to work with. I'd love to work with Gary Oldman. He seems like not only a solid dude and a good man, but a pretty inspired actor.

Anything that I can do with Jennie Garth, I would love to do it. I really like her. I got along with her really well, and I enjoyed her perspective on life. I think she's really talented and very, very funny.

I would kill to do more work with Orla Brady, I think she's that gifted.

I admire Cate Blanchett as an actor: that's my ultimate goal. To be as good as she is!

They all matter to me, whether I'm working on a Sam Jackson film for a week or I'm the star of my own TV series - I take it all very seriously, and I have a healthy respect for the work in general, despite the role.

I'm challenged by people like Russell Crowe and Sean Penn who come in with such incredible discipline and power.

I've had more of an opportunity to work with Katie Holmes, which is incredibly enjoyable. I think she is really one of the best actresses on the market right now. She forces you to bring your best stuff to the table, because if you don't, she just completely overpowers you.

Soul is a colourless thing. I don't think you have to be a black person to be automatically soulful. I respect Justin Bieber and Justin Timberlake; they do what they do. For me, my philosophy has always been 'contribution before competition.'

I got to work with Jennifer Tilly, she was amazing. Such, such a smart actress.

I want to be a good actor more than anything - someone you can respect.

I love being around great actors and film-makers, and I try to hide the fact that I'm in awe of them.

People say to me, 'Well, how do you direct Meryl Streep?' You're not wandering over to Meryl telling her how to act. She's an extraordinary talent and unbelievably hard working; she works harder than anyone I have ever worked with before.

Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Will Ferrell, those guys mean so much to me because I watched those guys and how they transform and watch the commitment to what they do. I admire them.