[On Blake Edwards` smash hit 10 (1979)] "I turned down the lead role [in "10"] many, many times. I just didn`t feel I was right for the part."

I`m a classic example of all humorists - only funny when I`m working.

There used to be a real me, but I had it surgically removed.

There used to be a me behind the mask, but I had it surgically removed.

Women are more difficult to handle than men. It`s their minds.

To see me as a person on screen would be one of the dullest experiences you could ever wish to experience.

You only know what happiness is once you`re married. But then it`s too late.

[on Goldie Hawn] In the fullest possible meaning of the word she is so nice.

[on Sophia Loren] I was never in love with any woman as deeply as I was with Sophia.

I`m a very ambitious person. I don`t believe by any means that I`ve even begun to do what`s inside me. I have a burning sort of fire inside me to do certain things which I know I`m going to do. I`m going to defeat all these berks that are around me and I`m going to do it. I mean, I have a name of being very difficult, I`m not difficult at all, I just cannot take mediocrity, I just cannot take it on any level.

I writhe when I see myself on the screen. I`m such a dreadfully clumsy hulking image. I say to myself, `Why doesn`t he get off? Why doesn`t he get off?` I mean, I look like such an idiot. Some fat awkward thing dredged up from some third-rate drama company. I must stop thinking about it, otherwise I shan`t be able to go on working.

If you ask me to play myself, I will not know what to do. I do not know who or what I am.