I don’t want three million people digesting my private life over their cornflakes.

An interview has become such a confrontational thing. It makes you very defensive.

I do think it’s important to live in the present because in that way you won’t be living in a state of regret.

Everything is about class in England, whether it’s upper, lower or middle. Why should that be?

I am not a fanatic about anything. I do what I can do when I’ve got the time.

In films people basically work for the camera, you know, and that’s why actors can hate each other and not be speaking to each other and still look as if they’re in love because really...

I was seen dancing at school by a director, who asked me to be in a TV play. And it had a huge impact. So I think that’s what really started me off.

The first thing you have to do is accept that decay sets in and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Each decade, I’ve lived in that decade, so I could easily shed the ’20s, the ’30s, the ’40s.

Sometimes sushi is just superb, and other times there’s nothing like a great big steak. It depends where your taste buds are at the time.

I don’t need a piece of paper to suggest that I can commit myself.

Fame and stardom sat very easily on Elizabeth Taylor’s shoulders.

I’m trying to learn to smoke, which is rather weird when everyone is trying to stop. I’m not a smoker. But my character only smokes as an affectation.

The biggest privilege I’ve had in my life is being able to make a choice. If you make a choice, it can’t be a wrong choice because it seemed like a good idea at the...

I’ll dance to anything: Bob Marley or rap.

The funny thing is I’m not bothered or sad about being on my own – after all I’ve never had a husband.

From one till seven, when we moved to England, I spoke only Portuguese. But I can’t speak a word of it now.

Everything has changed. An interview has become such a confrontational thing. It makes you very defensive.

I used to suffer from excessive pride. Well, I got over that one.

From 1 till 7, when we moved to England, I spoke only Portuguese.

Thank God we’re not like America. Everyone wants to look like they’re 20. In Europe we admire grown-up women; I think men revere older women.

The wonderful thing about acting is you move along with your decade. The older you get, the more interesting the parts you get to play and you bring more of your personal experience to the...

We all know now that people can look good for their age. It isn’t so extraordinary, I don’t know why people go on about it so much.

I think you live a fuller life with someone else, you know, you’re firing on all cylinders. It can be a nightmare at times, we all know that, but nevertheless in the end I think...

I do find acting cathartic.

I think people should do whatever they want to do. That’s the point. Why should you care what other people think or say? You’re not living in their pocket.

I was asked to be in Vogue but I said no. I didn’t want to advertise make-up. I didn’t want to be seen as a sex symbol.

I am pretty self-indulgent.

I don’t regret the passing of time. I try to live in the present, which should mean my life’s full.

I consulted a Chinese herbalist and spent two weeks on an island off the coast of Zanzibar. I was away from any kind of contemporary technology.

You can love more than one person in your life, but things will be different. There’ll be a different dynamic. Needs and desires change.

Roman’s wife Sharon Tate had been murdered by Charles Manson the year before, but Roman had been through so much leaving the Warsaw ghetto that he was very strong and private.

I have always done exercise because I was a dancer, and it is probably good for you. I have done yoga consistently.

There is not enough celebration of companionship. Relationships aren’t just about eroticism and sexuality.

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

I can easily sleep from nine to 13 hours a night.

Truly charismatic people, in my experience, don’t come along very often.

Some actors get fired up by the sound of the audience. I just want to retreat.

In the theatre, once you’ve gone about eight rows back, everybody else is just listening to you. You’re very small, and nobody can really see what you’re doing.

I’ve always kept fit but I’ve been doing gym and yoga and will be throwing my stilettoes away for a while!

I was always going to be a dancer – I drifted into acting.

However successful you are, there is no substitute for a close relationship. We all need them.

I have yet to see a drama that puts forward women who are successful and also have a family… they are nearly always seen as victims.

I come from a very hospitable, close, Catholic, matriarchal family.

Exposure makes you famous, not just good work. Famous is being plastered everywhere.

I think people have surgery for psychological reasons more than because of their looks.

I can feel the 60s looming. In my profession, I’ve just moved along with my age. By thinking in decades, rather than whether someone’s 42 or 47, you can give yourself a whole 10 years...

I don’t believe in expending energy on something you can’t do anything about. If there was some easy way of fixing things, I’d probably do it.

I’m an actress, not a pinup.

I’m one of the great unemployed looking for the next job. I’m waiting for the right offer. Like anyone, I want something that turns me on inside.