Brendan Fraser

(on the types of roles he has played) Brendan: I like playing fish-out of-water guys. I imagine it's because growing up, my family moved around a lot, so I was always having to redefine myself in new places. Plus, I was a scrawny kid and I found I could avoid getting clobbered by joking myself out of tight spots. I try to bring that humor to roles.

Brendan: I like maintaining a low profile. I'm of the belief that a little mystery goes a long way.

Brendan: I seemed to often be the outsider. My family moved every few years and I was always the new kid, trying to fit in. As the new boy you had to learn how to assert yourself. Like an actor you had to constantly redefine yourself.

Brendan: I don't take myself too seriously. I think if you can treat comedy as normal then inevitably you will get more laughs. Even in adventure hokum you have to stick to the rules and parameters - then give the character a heart.

(about the movie "Crash") Brendan: The desired effect of this film is to stimulate conversation. You can't walk out of this complacent unless you're completely jaded. It doesn't offer up any solutions, which is nice. I don't like to get patronized when I go to movies. I want to be left to make up my own mind. If I'm angry or if I'm confused or if I'm conflicted by something, then that's an effective film.

(on how he became an actor) Brendan: I don't know how it happened. But I do know that I would act whether or not I was paid. I would be involved in ensemble groups. I would have the desire to tell stories.

Brendan: I always approach comedy roles pretending they aren't funny.

Brendan: I'm starting to judge success by the time I have for myself. The time I spend with family and friends. My priorities aren't amending; they're shifting.

(on working with CGI characters) Brendan: The funny thing is that as sophisticated as the technology gets, the less sophisticated you have to become as an actor. All you have to do is just believe in what's there, then the audience will, too. It's asking actors to do what they're supposed to do in the first place, which is just use their imagination.

(on his character, George, in "George in the Jungle") Brendan: I maintain that he's navigationally challenged. He's not the most elaborate fellow we're going to meet in moviedom.

Brendan: I guess what you would define as darkness serves a purpose: to show us that there is redemption through chaos. And I believe in that.

(on what it's like being a Hollywood Heartthrob) Brendan: I keep a low profile, so I really don't know. I suppose if it has a practical purpose toward being allowed to work on projects I wouldn't have otherwise... and I appreciate a pat on the back, too. So, I suppose it's rewarding, ultimately.

(when he was in Sydney, Australia) Brendan: I went to Taronga Park Zoo yesterday and almost mated with an Emu. So a word of advice is not to get too close to THOSE animals.

(on doing a sequel to "The Mummy") Brendan: We had already established, I think, a great and existing rapport with all the characters that managed to survive the first film, which was important when it came time to doing a sequel. I was also delighted to have the opportunity to do this, because I had such a great time working on the first one.

(on being able to make the film "The Quiet American") Brendan: I'm certainly gratified that my name helps a film like this get made, and it's a film that Phillip has wanted to make for years, and selfishly I wanted to have the opportunity to travel to Vietnam and Sydney, and have the chance to work there.

Brendan: I have so much satisfaction in my life. I have a beautiful wife and the great stimulation of an interesting career. I'm the most happy fellow that I know.

Brendan: It's a tale that I believe ultimately speaks of good parenting and what it means to honor one's parents.

Brendan: In L.A. nobody touches you. We're always behind this metal and glass.

Brendan: It's a departure for me... I can't walk through the airport in Singapore without a little kid hanging on my leg saying: George! George!

Brendan: To swing or not to swing? Swing.

Brendan: They had a hard time miking me in my loin cloth, I mean, where were they gonna tape it?

Brendan: I believe you have a responsibility to comport yourself in a manner that gives an example to others. As a young man, I prayed for success. Now I pray just to be worthy of it.