After college, I went into the NBC Page Program. It's one of those great programs that allows kids to get their feet wet in every area of the business.
I learned my profession onstage. I didn't have a musical background. I had no conservatory training. I don't play an instrument.
I've been fortunate that my career has developed through on-the-job training.
Do you know the difference between education and experience? Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don't.
I graduated from UC San Diego, wanted to work in film to get my hands-on real experience, did music videos, TV, feature films, all kinds of stuff.
From 1965 to 1974, I served the best possible apprenticeship for an actor. I learned firsthand how a truck driver lives, what a bartender does, how a salesman thinks. I had to make a life inside those jobs, not just pretend.
I think a lot of good actors - for instance, Gary Sinise - have no training. His training was really entirely on his feet. I suppose you have to have an instinct for it.
There's a whole catalogue of actors that never went to acting school.
Some people think all young actors should come up through the ranks of theatre. I don't necessarily think that's true.
I've always been more inclined to go out to work than carry on with academic studies.
