I was actually fortunate that I never had to have any other job than being an actor. I don't have those odd stories of having to make some money here or there, but certainly there are some credits on my résumé I wish I hadn't done. It paid my health insurance, and I say that just from a creative standpoint, shows I'm not that proud of, things like that.

Amy Ryan

Categorized in : Wish Done Creative

Usually in stories there are big problems in the beginning or couples are pulling away, there's a lot of bitterness.

pulling-away couple stories

It's funny to see the finished product of a movie, stuff that's so beautiful, and to remember the particulars.

stuff remember beautiful

The Tonys are also kind of like a homegrown party. You know every... by Amy Ryan

The Tonys are also kind of like a homegrown party. You know everybody.

homegrown party kind

When you're on a movie and the production department says, "We need old photographs of you - your character - when you were 20-years-old." I usually tell them it's in storage or I had a fire. I go back to these old photos and there's never a good photo or they're of times that I'm so glad I'm out of. They have nothing to do with the character that you're playing, so it feels false. That's one of the hardest things for me in terms of looking back.

term photograph character

The Wire,' I was such a fan of that show the first season - I think that's the best-written show on TV.

wire fans thinking

When I was growing up I actually was into Bon Jovi! by Amy Ryan

When I was growing up I actually was into Bon Jovi!

bon-jovi growing growing-up

You know, I don't think, you know, therapy never ends, really. by Amy Ryan

You know, I don't think, you know, therapy never ends, really.

therapy ends thinking

Some jobs you do - maybe you don't - are jobs that pay mortgages and some are art and I don't care about not being paid on those.

mortgage care art

I find that all great directors, and I would include Ben Affleck and Clint Eastwood in that, they have great confidence. And with great confidence comes great freedom for the actor.

great-freedom actors directors

One of the great perks of being an actor is you're only as smart as the job you're in, you know, and you're only as informed as the job you're in, and you do become an expert, and you read all the books, but then there's a part of, like, you move on.

smart jobs moving

There are certain things you learn to do as a parent - using every single part of your body because you're multitasking all the time. You're holding the baby and you're closing the door with your left foot.

feet doors baby

It's fun to play happy people. by Amy Ryan

It's fun to play happy people.

play fun people

If your body is excited to do something, that's what you should be doing. Or if it really scares you, you should be doing it.

excited scare body

Being an actor, we're so dependent on the writers. by Amy Ryan

Being an actor, we're so dependent on the writers.

dependent actors

The greatest inspiration I draw upon is, is this city (New York) and riding the subway and watching people and I find that's kind of like the best, the best acting teacher. You know, I wonder, like people who have huge celebrity, sometimes I feel bad, should this be one of their methods 'cause I don't know how they can observe life anymore, because they become the observed. So, I, I appreciate that New York can still do that.

inspiration new-york teacher

I can really laugh at myself and make a fool out of myself. by Amy Ryan

I can really laugh at myself and make a fool out of myself.

fool i-can laughing

I come from a working-class background in Queens, New York. by Amy Ryan

I come from a working-class background in Queens, New York.

queens new-york class

I know how to separate my own laundry. by Amy Ryan

I know how to separate my own laundry.

laundry know-how my-own

It happens a lot, but I also think of it as not so much like being abandoned by a director 'cause they're worried about a technical aspect, but I think actually that's my job.

jobs directors thinking

I really don't have a problem showing the ugly side of people. If that means my wearing no makeup, that's fine. To me, that's beautiful.

makeup beautiful mean