I'll never forget the blooming happiness that spread in me like the sun coming up when Lydia's obstetrician poked me awake: 'Congratulations... you have a fine son.'

Acting, taken to the highest level, requires a fierce, total focus of your time and energy at the cost of just about everything else.

When you are a young actor, you're imbued with the high purpose of your art. You think, 'They hire me for my talent; if that's not good enough, then they can hire somebody else.' Later, you realize that your body is as much a part of what you do as your talent.

All the good modern parts go to Jack Lemmon or Cary Grant.

My appearance qualifies me for historic characterizations, going back to the year one.

The film itself, and my role as Moses, will always remain one of the creative peaks of my career.

I always thought of myself as inadequate. Kids of divorced parents always feel that way - that, on some subconscious level, they're responsible.

What acting offered me was the chance to be many other people.

You can be sure that they'll be showing 'Ben-Hur' somewhere for a long, long time to come.

I like portraying heroes of antiquity whose values were grander and more spectacular than those of today.