A lot of people in line at the grocery store think that they know me, but they don't.

Comedy arises out of necessity, because some things are so dark that you have to laugh about it.

Give me an 18-hour day on set or in the theater, and I will be the happiest person alive.

I am a private human.

I am an avid reader! As for writing, I might - someday. But we'll have to wait and see.

I don't know if I would call myself a religious human.

I grew up backstage and on movie sets, and I thought they were the most magical places on Earth.

I have a ship's bed, which totally plays to my obsession of, if I were not an actress, I would be a pirate.

I have quite a foul mouth.

I haven't found it to be particularly enjoyable... ninety percent of the time when I go on dates, I'm thinking, 'I could be reading my book instead.'

I miss my horse. He's in Los Angeles.

I think any actor in their right mind is afraid of getting pigeonholed.

I would have been miserable in college. I always hated school.

My dad has always been really helpful. He taught me that talent is a bonus, but persistence is what wins out.

My mom was onstage when she was pregnant with me.

People idealize or reminisce about their 20s, but nobody tells you beforehand that it's hard and unglamorous and often very unpleasant.

With 'Girls,' it doesn't really feel like I'm doing TV specifically. It just feels like we're making a really long film.

All the characters on 'Girls' are growing and changing, which is how real people behave, especially when we're young, trying to figure out who we are, doing things that are the polar opposite of our characteristics.

But my father was also the one who told me I needed to clean up my mouth or I'd never find a man. What's very important to him is manners. Show up on time. Always send thank-you letters. He is one of the more thoughtful humans I've ever met. He's a great man and a very good dad.

I did 'Mad Men' and I still have people come up to me like, 'Are you actually a lesbian?' Really? Just because I play one on TV? People will think what they're gonna think.