When asked who has been the biggest influence on his career, he says, "Mary Louise [Parker, his girlfriend and fellow actor] is a tremendous influence on me. She has incredible discipline. She takes the time day-to-day to watch people, to listen to people. To understand why people do things. And to me, a great actor is someone who's incredibly compassionate. To me, that's really it as far as an actor is concerned". (on his career) "Every time I do a movie, I think it's going to be a huge hit." "I wish I could say that when I didn't agree with a director I defer to him, but I think sometimes I'm a little self-righteous." "If I had done 'Titanic,' it would have made, probably, $200,000 --worldwide. So I think my life would have been very, very similar." "I don't think actors should have to do anything but come in and act. I feel the film companies should pay for proper advertising to see that the movie will sell, instead of putting it on our backs. I've tried to narrow the contractual language, which requires a 'fair and reasonable' amount of publicity. I've said in negotiations; 'How much will you pay me not to have to promote?'