I’m quite an independent person, and I had to be. As a boy and growing into a young man I had to look out for myself. And now I’m very family-oriented. It’s a big priority in my life.
If I go to a party I don’t feel like I have to be in the centre. But I do find myself quite often being placed in that position. Even when I was younger at school, I would be asked to make a speech. I don’t remember putting up my hand and all that often but I’d just find myself there.
If you ask my wife, the biggest fault is my inability around the house. She says the only thing handy about me is that I’m close by. And, I have a terrible memory. I’m bad at saying no. I often double-book. There are a lot of things.
In terms of theater, there’s not a more supportive theater community than in New York. It’s really kind of a real thrill to go there. I mean, don’t forget, I’m a boy from the suburbs of Sydney, so getting to New York is a huge, huge thrill.
Becoming a father, I think it inevitably changes your perspective of life. I don’t get nearly enough sleep. And the simplest things in life are completely satisfying. I find you don’t have to do as much, like you don’t go on as many outings.
I’m quite a competitive person, so I do quite like to win.
One thing I do personally started 20 years ago. I started meditating, and I know twice a day I can kind of let everything drop. It’s just about being quiet, like drawing back the day, and it allows me to have energy.
Your wife is always right. Very simple. I think I’m going to get it tattooed on my forehead.
One afternoon when I was 9, my dad told me I’d be skipping school the next day. Then we drove 12 hours from Melbourne to Sydney for the Centenary Test, a once-in-a-lifetime commemorative cricket match. It was great fun – especially for a kid who was a massive sports fan.
That’s all about the natural order of things, the idea of nature protecting children but also children protecting nature.
Singing is incredibly physical.
But in another world, another life, probably growing up in another country, I might have been more of a dancer.
Americans are the most generous country on the planet. I’ve worked in Europe, I’ve worked in Australia. There is no where else where you get absolutely no attitude for being a foreigner. If you do your job well, they embrace you.
For me that’s one of the great indulgences in life – a hand-tailored suit, and a great pair of handmade shoes.
As you get older you have more respect and empathy for your parents. Now I have a great relationship with both of them.
There was a whole display set up of all the X-Men paraphernalia. My wife couldn’t resist telling this 5-year-old boy that I was Wolverine. The little kid looked up at me and he was staring at me.
I’m a big goofball, you know. Don’t tell anyone that, but I’m a big goofball. In Australia we call it a dag.
The activity of being a husband, a father – those are roles, too, but underneath them is the spiritual center that connects us all, and that’s what’s most important.
Actually, I graduated from university as a journalist.
I have two children and it’s amazing how in tune they are with nature, with light, with smells, with time.