Quotes from Malcolm McDowell

Richard Lester is a wonderful director, a great comedy director, of course.

There are no great scripts - just great films.

The thing is, I've never been a handsome leading-man type, so let's not kid ourselves.

If you dunk your head in cold water, you can't stay under for more than five seconds. I mean, that's it.

I like to razz the Trekkies a little bit. Who doesn't? It's trainspotting, isn't it? But they are very well-meaning, actually. I've done a couple of Star Trek conventions, and they've only been really welcoming.

Let's not get too precious about it: actors are not heart surgeons or brain surgeons. We are just entertaining people.

I'm from a country where acting is taken very seriously; it's a very serious profession.

I never do research unless it's extraordinary circumstances.

I think we're all a little afraid of the dark. If you lived in the country, as I did, there's nothing quite like country dark, which was really black. And as a child, your imagination runs wild.

The most nurturing of directors can make you feel too comfortable, and you don't really push for that extra whatever.

The definition of insanity in Texas is so insane that it's impossible to be insane in Texas.

I don't worry about whether I'm making a masterpiece, because I know that if you get just one of those in a lifetime, you should get down on your knees and say 'Thank you!'

I love Bob Altman. I always admired him so much because I always thought he was a genuine voice.

The villains that I play, I always think that they are grounded, wonderful people with enormous intellects who are very exciting to spend an evening with. I never see them as bad people.

It is true I'd rather get a hole in one than win an Academy Award.

I've always been one to do the work and just hone my craft.

I just take it as it comes, and if I'm not offered something, there's always a reason, and usually it's a pretty good one. I'm not worried about it. You know, I've had an incredible career, and I'm blessed.

You know, I've had an incredible career and I'm blessed.

An actor cannot be a censor. I'm there to interpret.

I love doing every role I do!

I'd love to do radio plays. I think that one should be open to everything and shouldn't limit oneself.

I'm not quite as buoyant as I was in my youth.

You've always got to work with the best if you can, and of course, the best are the best because they're different. They expect certain standards, and they're usually very difficult people to work with.

I am a professional actor, and I don't go about moralizing about what the character does. Otherwise, seriously, why be an actor? You're not making some kind of social statement. That's not what actors do.