In 1956, the success of the Hammer films kick-started my career. That immediately gave me a name and a face to go with it. I will always be grateful to Hammer for that.
When the Second World War finished, I was 23, and already I had seen enough horror to last me a lifetime. I'd seen dreadful, dreadful things, without saying a word. So seeing horror depicted on film doesn't affect me much.
I did play Ramses II once, who lived to be 91 and had 120 children, but he died 4,000 years ago.
Peter Jackson's instincts are extraordinary, as is his stamina.
One of the first things a British visitor to Southern California discovers is that he must have a car. Freeways. Bad public transport. I took driving lessons.
Making films has never just been a job to me; it is my life. I have some interests outside of acting - I sing and I've written books, for instance - but acting is what keeps me going: it's what I do; it gives life purpose.
To be a legend, you've either got to be dead or excessively old!
The most important film I made, in terms of its subject and the great responsibility I had as an actor, was a film I did about the founder of Pakistan called 'Jinnah.'
I lived for 10 years in Los Angeles, and the one element that surpasses everything else - that you are very conscious of - is fear. You can smell it.
Not every Hammer film was perfect.
I haven't done lots of horror.
The first 'Charlemagne' album is metal, of course, but what I sang was more symphonic.
I'm much softer than people think. I don't present to the world an emotional face. I'm pretty good at self-control, but I am easily moved.
I turn to the 'Telegraph's' obituaries page with trepidation.
There are many vampires in the world today... you only have to think of the film business.
The song 'My Way' is a very remarkable song. It is also difficult to sing because you've got to convince people that what you're singing about is the truth. It's a man who is very proud of having achieved everything that he's achieved his way.
As far as I am concerned, Don Quixote is the most metal fictional character that I know. Single handed, he is trying to change the world, regardless of any personal consequences.
Let's just say I was in Special Forces and leave it at that. People can read into that what they like.
I've done a lot of films that have become iconic, not necessarily because of me.
A whole new career opened up for me when I was in 'Lord Of The Rings' and 'Star Wars.'
