Anna Gunn
My mom told me I could do anything I want, be anyone I want. I believed it. And so I want my daughters to as well.Collection: Mom
Nobody's all good or bad, and nobody's all light or dark. Every human being has so many different aspects and facets to them. And there can be something noble and something really dark and dangerous going on in a person all at the same time.
When I was 15 and had the light bulb moment I wanted to be an actor, it was my sole focus and goal, and I went after it with determination.
When I got my role on 'Seinfeld,' the show was already huge. I was so nervous on my first day. I remember meeting everyone and holding my script and just shaking.
I'm not a gambler, let's just say that, nor have I ever been a dealer at a casino.
Being pregnant is a conundrum. You have this freedom, because it's a wonderful time that a human being is growing inside of you, and it is truly magical. On the other hand, your body changes.
As kids do, they're smart, and even if parents try to keep things away from them, conflict and issues and whatnot, kids pick up on what's happening.
For actors, you've gotta sometimes fill in your backstory.
You know my girls are so funny. You're out in the country and there are critters everywhere and they get a little like, 'Oh my God! Oh no, bugs!' and I had to say, 'Honey this is fine. This is their world and it's all part of being in the country.' I realized, 'Oh my God, my girls are really city girls.'
I enjoy taking on complex, difficult characters and have always striven to capture the truth of those people, whether or not it's popular.
As an actress, I realize that viewers are entitled to have whatever feelings they want about the characters they watch.
I was just so intrigued with good stories from the time I was a little girl. When my parents would take us out to dinner, I would bring a book along. And they were perfectly happy with that.
The idea of 'breaking bad' and what that means in terms of the actions and decisions people make, and why they make them - it makes people question themselves in the 'What would I do?' kind of way.
As an actor, my job is not to always play characters who make everybody happy. That's not interesting.
It's changed the landscape of my career without a doubt. 'Deadwood' started to do that, but then 'Breaking Bad' really shifted everything for me.
I've just always been very interested in story above all.
Going under the water and staying under the water for periods of time gives me claustrophobia.
That's part of the beauty of being an actress: you get to explore different facets of what it is to be a human being and what it is to explore different personalities, and actually, that's one of the things I love about it.
It would be a lot of fun to play some comedy.
I really did like 'The Wolf of Wall Street.' But not seeing women represented in that world, it definitely had less resonance for me.
For women, no matter what career, what path you choose, it's still an uphill battle to work your way up to these top leadership positions. And you're much more closely scrutinized for everything - for things that men are not.
It's important for women to continue to break through barriers in our industry, in politics, in Wall Street.
There's nothing wrong with women saying that we can be ambitious and that we can want the same things that men have traditionally wanted.
As an actor - and I say actor, but actress or actor, whatever - I've had to learn to be very open about what I want. I ask for it, even if I may not get it. I feel like it's worth the ask.
If you're doing the same work, you should get the same amount of money, and you should get the same respect. It's about valuation. It's about not being afraid to ask for those things.
In my experience, you get a job for a reason. Your work life happens for a reason.
There are so many more roles for men than there are for women.
I certainly had times when I thought this wasn't going to work out, but just being a working actor felt like a victory.
I think theater probably remains my favorite, sort of where my soul lives. It takes a lot of discipline, and you have to show up eight shows a week, no matter how you feel physically, mentally, emotionally - there's nobody to cut around that: you've got to tell the story yourself for two hours.
I'm nervous before every day of work, almost. Even after six years of 'Breaking Bad.'
We don't have to push each other out of the way, because the universe will push us out of the way, or push us towards our goals when it's time.Collection: Goal
If you have to go back through your day in your head, try to go back to only the good things. Look at those, and what you did well. Otherwise, life kind of passes you by.Collection: Trying
I feel like it's important to be forthright about equality. If you're doing the same work, you should get the same amount of money, and you should get the same respect. It's about valuation. It's about not being afraid to ask for those things.Collection: Important
My mom and dad, you're my heart, thank you for keeping me going all these years and never letting me give up.Collection: Mom
I have to remind myself, Stop thinking about the future. Stop thinking about what happened at work today, or another choice you could have made. Just be with your kids. Just be with your friends. Enjoy your victories. Stop second-guessing things that have already happened.Collection: Kids
If you don't agree with the direction something is going in, at least at work, you should always try it first, unless it's dangerous or damaging. But if you have an opinion about the direction your work should be taking, say it. Then back it up with proof and other solutions.Collection: Trying