The 5-minute Interview: Crispin Glover, Actor and film-maker

'People think I'm insane, they mix my roles up with reality'

'I like to eat and the only thing I've ever been addicted to in my life is sugar' (Reuters)

Glover, 43, is best known for his eccentric starring roles in a number of films including 'Back to the Future', 'Charlie's Angels' and, most recently, 'Beowulf'. The director's cut of 'Beowulf' is out now on DVD

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...

I'm currently touring my films that I've been working on for a few years. All things in my life are related to my film productions so I'd be doing something to do with that.

A phrase I use far too often...

I try to avoid overusing phrases as much as I can.

I wish people would take more notice of...

My work. I'm constantly working on my films right now, so when I'm doing publicity I stay to that track.

The most surprising thing to happen to me was...

Seeing people doing illegal things with my work. I'm very diligent but piracy is rampant and I release slowly so have to be particularly careful.

A common misconception of me is...

That I'm insane. I've played a lot of characters and people mix things up with reality. It's understandable.

I am not a politician but...

If I were, I wouldn't like my job. That's not to say there aren't some admirable politicians but a lot of actors now have public opinions about politics. I try to avoid that.

I'm good at...

Making films. I started out as an actor but now I act to fund my own productions. I've managed to separate my mindset.

I'm very bad at...

Giving short answers.

The ideal night out is...

Going to a post-Beethoven, Romantic-era concert. I recently purchased a 17th-century chateau near Prague and when I'm there I'll often go see a performance.

In moments of weakness I...

I like to eat and the only thing I've ever been addicted to in my life is sugar.

You know me as an actor and film-maker but in a truer life I'd have been...

It's hard to know because my father's an actor and my mother's a retired actress. My parents didn't try to get me into the business but it made sense.

The best age to be is...

I like getting older. When you're in your twenties you're really forging for your future. Things take shape later on.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:

A good thing to live by is to go after what truly interests you.