Laurence Olivier
Laurence Olivier
Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, OMwas an English actor who, along with his contemporaries Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud, dominated the British stage of the mid-20th century. He also worked in films throughout his career, playing more than fifty cinema roles. Late in his career, he had considerable success in television roles...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionMovie Actor
Date of Birth22 May 1907
beautiful stars kindness
In the great wealth, the great firmament of your nation's generosities this particular choice may perhaps be found by future generations as a trifle eccentric, but the mere fact of it . . . the prodigal, pure, human kindness of it . . . must be seen as a beautiful star in that firmament which shines upon me at this moment, dazzling me a little, but filling me with warmth of the extraordinary elation, the euphoria that happens to so many of us at the first breath of the majestic glow of a new tomorrow.
beautiful done actors
Of all the things I've done in life, directing a motion picture is the most beautiful. It's the most exciting and the nearest than an interpretive craftsman, such as an actor can possibly get to being a creator.
time
We have all, at one time or another, been performers, and many of us still are - politicians, playboys, cardinals and kings.
given heart human knowledge teach work
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.
announced character days dear gone order sleep
My dear boy, why don't you try acting? (on the set of 'Marathon Man', to Dustin Hoffman, who had announced that he'd gone 3 days without sleep in order to 'become' his character
believe game nursery
It's just like a nursery game of make-believe.
character macbeth
When you're a young man, Macbeth is a character part. When you're older, it's a straight part.
eyes open view
I take a simple view of life: keep your eyes open and get on with it.
palm
The actor should be able to create the universe in the palm of his hand.
ideas alive new-ideas
Above all, you must remain open and fresh and alive to any new idea.
scratches actors
Scratch an actor and you'll find an actor.
zest enthusiasm life-is
Life is enthusiasm, zest.
actors caviar feeding
I should be soaring away with my head tilted slightly toward the gods, feeding on the caviar of Shakespeare. An actor must act.
apes mock
We ape, we mimic, we mock. We act.