My grandfather played a mandolin, so I got my hands on that. Then on down to a banjo, and I found I couldn't play any kind of soft or mournful music …

- Brendan Gleeson

I started hitching about the country when I was 16 or 17 years old. I found the music that was played around the country - Irish music - had a partic…

- Brendan Gleeson

It's interesting going between small parts and then bigger roles where you carry the film. If the writing is good, and if the people involved have in…

- Brendan Gleeson

Look at the Coen brothers. All their minor characters are as interesting as their protagonists. If the smaller characters are well-written, the whole…

- Brendan Gleeson

I worked with Steven Spielberg on 'AI,' and his level of preparation was extraordinary. He told me there was a time at the beginning when he was a bi…

- Brendan Gleeson

I think most people are decent people. I don't know if they could stand the pressure he's under, but most people aspire to be decent people.

- Brendan Gleeson

Are there people to aspire to? Can people be strong enough to withstand all of this disillusionment? Maybe the time is right for people to emerge fro…

- Brendan Gleeson

I don't plan in terms of career ambitions. The only career ambition I have is to work with people who are going to bring you up and elevate your perf…

- Brendan Gleeson

I don't want people poking around in my private stuff. They've no business in it. My work is what I give to people, that's my job, and that's where i…

- Brendan Gleeson