Quotes by Benedict Cumberbatch

Ive seen and swam and climbed and lived and driven and filmed. Should it all end tomorrow, I can definitely say there would be no regrets. I am very lucky, and I know it. I really have lived 5,000 times over.

I drive a motorbike, so there is the whiff of the grim reaper round every corner, especially in London.

My mum and dad had worked incredibly hard to afford me an education.

Im a Prince of Wales Trust ambassador, so Im all about giving youth an education, a voice and a chance to not take the wrong road.

Pull the hair on my head the wrong way, and I would be on my knees begging for mercy. I have very sensitive follicles.

One of the fears of having too much work is not having time to observe. And once you get recognised, there is nowhere for you to look any more. You cant sit on a night bus and watch it all happen.

Ive realised now that the reality of children is you have to be in the right place with the right person.

I can feel infinitely alive curled up on the sofa reading a book.

I had the privilege of being able to choose, or at least have the opportunity to work at, being anything but an actor.

Ive been quite a late developer on the clothes front, but Ive suddenly realised it is one of lifes joys.

Lines are very difficult to learn.

Looking for happiness is a sure way to sadness, I think. You have to take each moment as it comes.

I am very flattered. I have also become a verb as in I have cumberbatched the UK audience apparently. Who knows, by the end of the year I might become a swear word too! Its crazy and fun and very flattering.

We all want to escape our circumstances, dont we? Especially if you are an actor.

Ive been very lucky at whats happened in my career to date, but playing something as far from me as possible is an ambition of mine - anything from a mutated baddy in a comic book action thriller, to a detective. If anything, Id like Gary Oldmans career: hes the perfect example of it. Ive love to have a really broad sweep of characters - to be able to do something edgy, surprising and unfashionable.

The further you get away from yourself, the more challenging it is. Not to be in your comfort zone is great fun.

Maybe its because I was an only child, but Ive always wanted kids.

[on Martin Freeman playing Bilbo Baggins] It was great. I got to hang out with him, and I kept a straight face for a bit and then I started giggling because I know Martin, I dont know Bilbo. For Martin to be sitting there playing Bilbo is amazing. Hes going to be amazing, hes going to be fantastic in this film.

The first time we did cavalry charge I was so breathless with excitement I nearly fell off the horse. I actually saw stars in front of my eyes and thought I was going to faint. The second time I had a bit more control but was still giddy with excitement. And the third time I was an emotional wreck. I had to really try hard not to cry.

A woman who knows that she doesnt have to get all decked out to look good is sexy. A woman who can make you feel smart with her conversation skills is also sexy. I believe the sense of humor is important.