I wrote poetry, journals, and, especially, plays for the neighborhood kids to perform. I had an ordinary, happy childhood. Nothing much was going on, but I had fun.
In Bronxville, New York, we went to public school there, before London. Mother had a great belief in public school. She said it was very good for us to meet all the neighborhood kids.
My house is made out of balsa wood, so when I want to scare the neighborhood kids I lift it over my head and tell them to get out of my yard or I'll throw it at them.
I wanted to be that cranky old guy that stands on his porch and yells at the neighborhood kids.
I also developed an interest in sports, and played in informal games at a nearby school yard where the neighborhood children met to play touch football, baseball, basketball and occasionally, ice hockey.
I used to dress up in my mom's old clothes and play with these kids from the neighbourhood and make up stories: I would pretend that we were all vampires.
Really, I think that going out and playing with your friends is kind of becoming a lost art, with the kids in the neighborhood.
My mom was always the supplier of soccer balls, and so people were always knocking on my door, and trying to get me out so we could play.
My dad gave me his camera, so I spent my childhood making movies with the kids in the neighborhood as actors.
I was making a lot of 8mm home movies, since I was twelve, making little dramas and comedies with the neighborhood kids.
If your child is starting a new school, walk around your block and get to know the neighborhood children.
I've always slightly worried the kids who play football around my house. They know I'm an actor, but felt sorry for me because they'd never seen anything I've done.
