Words matter. These are the best Laurence Olivier Quotes, and they’re great for sharing with your friends.
If he was lost for a moment, he would dive straight back into its honey.
I often think that could we creep behind the actor’s eyes, we would find an attic of forgotten toys and a copy of the Domesday Book.
I’d like people to remember me for a diligent expert workman. I think a poet is a workman. I think Shakespeare was a workman. And God’s a workman. I don’t think there’s anything better than a workman.
Nobody is going to pretend that I am younger than I am. Apart from anything else, it is in the papers all the damn time – every time I have a birthday.
I don’t know what is better than the work that is given to the actor – to teach the human heart the knowledge of itself.
Living is strife and torment, disappointment and love and sacrifice, golden sunsets and black storms. I said that some time ago, and today I do not think I would add one word.
It took me two years to walk around a chair with ease; it took me another two years to learn how to laugh onstage – and I had to learn everything.
Lead the audience by the nose to the thought.
The actor should be able to create the universe in the palm of his hand.
‘Richard III’ is a really difficult play to film – it’s involved, often obscure. I felt it absolutely necessary to do more simplification than I’ve ever done before.
Acting is a masochistic form of exhibitionism. It is not quite the occupation of an adult.
We ape, we mimic, we mock. We act.
When you’re a young man, Macbeth is a character part. When you’re older, it’s a straight part.
I take a simple view of life: keep your eyes open and get on with it.
Acting is a masochistic form of exhibitionism. It is not quite the occupation of an adult.
We ape, we mimic, we mock. We act.
I believe that in a great city, or even in a small city or a village, a great theater is the outward and visible sign of an inward and probable culture.
I can’t think I’ve ever loved anybody quite as much… My mother was my life, really; she was my entire world.
My stage successes have provided me with the greatest moments outside myself, my film successes the best moments, professionally, within myself.
Surely we have always acted; it is an instinct inherent in all of us. Some of us are better at it than others, but we all do it.
Have a very good reason for everything you do.
Nine books have been written about me, and there’s not a word of truth in any of them.
I can’t think I’ve ever loved anybody quite as much… My mother was my life, really; she was my entire world.
It took me two years to walk around a chair with ease; it took me another two years to learn how to laugh onstage – and I had to learn everything.
Nobody is going to pretend that I am younger than I am. Apart from anything else, it is in the papers all the damn time – every time I have a birthday.
I take a simple view of life: keep your eyes open and get on with it.
The office of drama is to exercise, possibly to exhaust, human emotions. The purpose of comedy is to tickle those emotions into an expression of light relief; of tragedy, to wound them and bring the relief of tears. Disgust and terror are the other points of the compass.
Living is strife and torment, disappointment and love and sacrifice, golden sunsets and black storms. I said that some time ago, and today I do not think I would add one word.
We have all, at one time or another, been performers, and many of us still are – politicians, playboys, cardinals and kings.
I’d like people to remember me for a diligent expert workman. I think a poet is a workman. I think Shakespeare was a workman. And God’s a workman. I don’t think there’s anything better than a workman.
I don’t know what is better than the work that is given to the actor – to teach the human heart the knowledge of itself.
Lead the audience by the nose to the thought.
Surely we have always acted; it is an instinct inherent in all of us. Some of us are better at it than others, but we all do it.
Have a very good reason for everything you do.
We have all, at one time or another, been performers, and many of us still are – politicians, playboys, cardinals and kings.
I suppose, unconsciously, I used all my wives to further my journey up the ladder.
I often think that could we creep behind the actor’s eyes, we would find an attic of forgotten toys and a copy of the Domesday Book.
I suppose, unconsciously, I used all my wives to further my journey up the ladder.
The office of drama is to exercise, possibly to exhaust, human emotions. The purpose of comedy is to tickle those emotions into an expression of light relief; of tragedy, to wound them and bring the relief of tears. Disgust and terror are the other points of the compass.
If he was lost for a moment, he would dive straight back into its honey.
When you’re a young man, Macbeth is a character part. When you’re older, it’s a straight part.
‘Richard III’ is a really difficult play to film – it’s involved, often obscure. I felt it absolutely necessary to do more simplification than I’ve ever done before.
Nine books have been written about me, and there’s not a word of truth in any of them.
I believe that in a great city, or even in a small city or a village, a great theater is the outward and visible sign of an inward and probable culture.