On the topic of taking things seriously, you’ve been in the mix for major awards more than once. How would you describe that experience?
I’ve been very lucky to have been nominated or won a lot of really big awards. I’ve never been nominated for an Academy Award before, and everyone kept saying, “Oh, that’s going to happen this year.” I certainly wasn’t holding my breath. But it’s fun to go to the shows. You have a great time; you get dressed up; you see your friends. And if you win, it’s great. You have these funny-looking things on your shelf that remind you of something people think you did well. Let’s face it: In Hollywood we do love to congratulate ourselves a lot. But you can say that, and then when you’re being congratulated you really don’t mind it so much. And anybody who tells you differently is a liar.
What does your Oscar nomination mean to you?
You know why I love it? Because my parents are still very much alive, and it’s great—just great—for them to experience that. And it’s also painful, because my wife passed away this past year. I’m thrilled but sad because she won’t be able to be there with me, because if anyone is the reason I’m there, it’s her.
