Copyright © 2008 by Open Horizons and John Kremer
Last modified: 3/12/08
The Quotable Books Series ...
How to Act
Advice on How to Live
and Act from Actors, Comedians, Directors, Producers, Playwrights,
and Screenwriters(sample quotations from the book)
If the grass is greener in the other fellow's yard—let him worry about cutting it. — Fred Allen, comedian
Love is the answer, but while you are waiting for the answer, sex raises some pretty good questions. — Woody Allen, actor, producer, and director
Many a man owes his success to his first wife and his second wife to his success. — Jim Backus, actor and comedian
One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself. — Lucille Ball, comedienne and actress
Don't shake too much when you run, don't wear false eyelashes in the water, and always smile. — Yasmine Bleeth, actress, advice to new cast members of Baywatch TV show
My advice about acting? Speak clearly, don't bump into people, and if you must have motivation, think of your pay packet on Friday. — Noel Coward, playwright
I wouldn’t say I’m like a mad-scientist dreamer, but I don’t think small. What’s the point? You owe it to yourself to follow your dreams. — Aaron Eckhart, actor
Don't act. Just speak the lines, hit your marks, and tell the truth. — Katharine Hepburn, advice given to Anthony Hopkins
Acting, at its heart, is the ability to manipulate your own emotions…. You can’t think about it. You can’t plan it. You just have to let your emotions flow through you. — Scarlett Johansson, actress
The miracle is this—the more we share, the more we have. — Leonard Nimoy, actor
Families are like fudge: mostly sweet with a few nuts. —Rosie O’Donnell, comedian
Love is overrated. Biochemically no different than eating large quantities of chocolate. — Al Pacino, actor
Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain’t goin’ away. — Elvis Presley, singer and actor
A fool and his money are soon parted—which is why I never go out with a guy whose IQ is over fifty. — Joan Rivers, comedienne
If I have someone who believes in me, I can move mountains. — Diana Ross, singer and actress
Come to work on time, know your lines, and don't bump into other actors. — Spencer Tracy, actor
Do what you got to do so that you can do what you want to do. And fail big. — Denzel Washington, actor
I've always followed my father's advice: He told me, first, to always keep my word and, second, to never insult anybody unintentionally. If I insult you, you can be goddamn sure I intend to. And, third, he told me not to go around looking for trouble. — John Wayne, actor
There are three rules of the theater: Show up on time, learn your lines, and don't fall off the stage. — The Writer movie
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