Why Jeremy Irons doesn’t want to be knighted

Larry King: A number of great actors have been awarded knights. Sir this, sir that. And you have been quoted saying you do not want to be knighted.

Jeremy Irons: Why not?

Larry King: Why not, Sir Jeremy?

Jeremy Irons: Because I don't think it's, you know, I became an actor to be a rogue and a vagabond, which is how we used to call actors in England. And not to be a nob, which is what we call the aristocrats, so I have no, I don't want to be a sir.I think that-

Larry King: You won't refuse it.

Jeremy Irons: Um, it has been-

Larry King: You've already been offered it?

Jeremy Irons: We don't talk about these things. But I don't think, I think knighthood should go to people, and honors should go to people who are, without them, unrecognized. Now, actors, we're recognized. We're actually recognized much more than we should be. We're not, we have a value but we're not that valuable. We get very well remunerated for the work we do. But there are lots of people who do fantastic work in all fields of life. And I think they're the ones who should get a pat on the back.