Tom Wlaschiha

I really love theatre, as that is where I started out.

The system in Germany is different, as you sign up with a company for two or three years, and you work exclusively with them; you can't do any film work on the side.

[Referring to the fall of the Berlin Wall] For me, the fall of the wall came at the exact right time because, I mean, I was 17, basically I hadn't missed anything, unlike the generation of my parents, who were deprived of a lot of things. They couldn't travel, and they couldn't really get ahead in their professional careers. So for me, it was perfect timing.

I grew up in East Germany, so we had to learn Russian in school.... I never thought it would come in handy... But being an actor, I've been able to use it quite a bit.

Sometimes it still seems unreal just to board a plane and fly to America, because that's something that I'd always dreamed of, but I was completely sure would never happen, and sometimes, when I think about that, it still feels a bit unreal.

[Referring to growing up in communist East Germany] At some point, when I was 14 or 15, the idea crossed my mind to become an actor... I hadn't been to the theater much... When I grew up, we had one TV channel, which was sufficient.

Breaches of trust are difficult. I have a very high tolerance level and generally give people a second or third chance. But there are things at which I would draw the line. If, for example, someone would read my text messages or e-mails, that would be it for me.

I believe a person who doesn't have any kind of addiction is rather boring. An addiction only becomes dangerous when you no longer have it under control. I smoke every now and again, but I can restrict myself. My grandfather lived to be 97 even though he smoked. His motto was that you can do anything, but in moderation.