Jay Laga'aia

Jay: (on leaving Australia's "Water Rats" for NZ's "Street Legal") I came back here because I believed in the project and I wanted to get scared again. I have faith and respect for the producers and the writer and director. But most of all I was sick and tired of hearing myself whinge: 'Am I good enough, am I this or am I that?' So it was either put up or shut up.

Jay: (on his reaction to Lucy's Xena costume) Lucy was still trying to get used to her costume, so we did the rehearsals wearing robes. So the first take was the first time I'd seen her in the full outfit, and when the door opened I just stood there and went 'Hmmm... I know I have to stand here and say something, but how about ... WOW!' The director was laughing in the background and said 'Cut, we'll go again...' But I was totally gobsmacked. Lucy looked absolutely stunning, and it was an image that's been implanted in my brain ever since.

Jay: (on his philosophy for playing the villain Draco on "Xena") I wanted Draco to have the face of Tom Cruise and the mask of Hannibal Lecter, a combination that made him like honey on steel - it was sweet, but if you licked it you would cut your tongue. So Draco was this barbarian who you just didn't want to cross, because he would much rather clean his knife in your innards than have to talk and reason with you!