[on his Oscar nomination for Lincoln (2012)] I'm tremendously honored to be a nominee in the company of so many writers and filmmakers whose work I admire. I'm very grateful to Steven and Kathy, to Daniel, Sally, Tommy Lee and the whole cast, to Rick, Joanna, Janusz, Mike and John and everyone who made Lincoln happen. I'm overwhelmed by the Academy's response to the film. I heard that I'd been nominated while waiting to take off on a plane from JFK to LAX. James Gandolfini, who's sitting in front of me, gave me a hug and a kiss, so I'm about as happy as can be.

[on Daniel Day-Lewis] Daniel carries his talents and achievements modestly, charmingly, and generously. Like the president he brought to life in 'Lincoln', he's a deep-sea creature who's unexpectedly approachable and thoroughly delightful company. He's a concerned and active world citizen, a spectacular husband and father. But when Daniel acts, he makes the physical metaphysical, and vice versa. He's an actor-creator whose performances aren't just great - they're essential.

[on his Oscar nomination for Munich (2005) screenplay] We had a great time because we sort of knew we weren't going to win anything; we were just there for the fun of it. I got to meet a lot of people whose work I really admire. I was very moved to see) Larry McMurtry and to see him and his partner [Diana Ossana] win for Brokeback Mountain (2005). And we stayed at the Pavilion, and they made a chocolate version of the Oscar and put it in your room, whether you win or lose.

[on Meryl Streep's open-air performance in 'Mother Courage and Her Children'] The set was mostly dirt, so by the end of the evening it was mud, and Meryl incorporated it into her performance. Thinking of her slogging around in the mud singing 'The Song of the Great Capitulation' is one of my favorite memories of any theater that I've had anything to do with.