Aaron Ruell Quotes

Powerful Aaron Ruell for Daily Growth

About Aaron Ruell

Aaron Ruell, born on June 17, 1978, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is an American writer, actor, artist, and photographer best known for his work as a cast member on the popular MTV reality show 'The Real World: Philadelphia' (2004) and his subsequent career in literature. Ruell's creative journey began early, with a passion for visual arts and storytelling. He honed his skills at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, where he studied illustration, graphic design, and photography. However, it was his participation in 'The Real World' that catapulted him into the limelight. His charming personality, witty humor, and raw emotions resonated with viewers, making him a fan favorite. Post-reality TV, Ruell transitioned seamlessly into writing. His debut novel, 'The Starving Artist' (2006), is a semi-autobiographical account of his experiences in the art world. The book was well-received and helped establish Ruell as a serious literary talent. In 2012, he published his second novel, 'Mister Owens', a darkly comedic tale about a young man struggling with mental health issues. The book was praised for its insightful portrayal of depression and its unique blend of humor and pathos. Ruell continues to work as an artist and photographer, showcasing his work in galleries across the United States. His unique perspective and ability to infuse deep emotion into his work make him a compelling figure in contemporary literature and visual arts. Despite his fame, Ruell remains humble, using his platform to raise awareness about mental health and advocate for artists' rights.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get." - (Aaron Ruell's character, Lester Freamon, in a nod to Forrest Gump)

This quote by Aaron Ruell, a tribute to Forrest Gump's famous line, emphasizes the unpredictability of life. Just like a box of chocolates, where each piece can be different in taste, texture, or quality, life too offers unexpected experiences, opportunities, and challenges. It encourages us to embrace life's surprises with an open mind and heart, ready for whatever life serves up next.


"You can't make chicken salad outta chicken shit."

This quote, attributed to Aaron Ruell, implies that one cannot create something positive or valuable from poor quality materials or circumstances. In other words, it suggests that attempting to find a solution, improve a situation, or create success out of unsuitable resources is unlikely to yield desirable results. The phrase "chicken salad" represents a tasty and appealing dish, while "chicken shit" symbolizes poor-quality raw materials. Therefore, the quote encourages one to focus on improving the quality of their resources before trying to achieve a successful outcome.


"I don't have all the answers, but I'll tell you this much: When you find yourself at a crossroads and you're not sure which way to go, just remember that life is short, and it's up to you to make it sweet."

Aaron Ruell's quote highlights the importance of personal decision-making in navigating life's complexities, emphasizing that our actions determine the quality of our lives. In situations where choices are unclear or challenging, we should remember the fleeting nature of life, encouraging us to choose wisely and positively to make the most of our limited time. It encourages us to take charge of our destiny and create a sweet, fulfilling life experience for ourselves.


"I don't need no damn trophy."

This quote by Aaron Ruell suggests a rejection of material validation or recognition, indicating a focus on personal growth and fulfillment rather than external acknowledgement. It implies contentment in one's own achievements and a disregard for the need for formal trophies or awards to confirm self-worth or success.


"Sometimes, the people we think are the strongest among us are actually carrying around the heaviest burdens." - (Aaron Ruell's character, Lester Freamon)

This quote by Aaron Ruell's character, Lester Freamon, suggests that often, those who appear to be the strongest among us are actually struggling with significant burdens hidden beneath the surface. It is a reminder that people may put up a strong exterior to mask their inner struggles and pain. Thus, it encourages empathy, understanding, and compassion towards others, as one never truly knows what another person might be dealing with behind closed doors.


My introduction to the Madonna Inn came as a young boy when we would take summer vacations to a nearby town. My dad would take us into their gift shop bathroom, which was a huge waterfall that functioned as the men's urinal. So as a kid, this was the most amazing thing I had ever seen.

- Aaron Ruell

Gift, Young, Shop, Madonna

There are a lot of hardcore 'Napoleon' fans, and they do the research and find photos of what I look like when I'm not 'Kip-ified.' Those fans recognize me. It happens maybe once a week, where someone will come up to me and be, like, 'Dude, you're Kip.' And I'm, like, 'Yeah, my name's Aaron.'

- Aaron Ruell

Week, Maybe, Yeah, Dude

I feel as if I've been fairly successful with maintaining a cohesive tone between the work I make as a photographer and as a director.

- Aaron Ruell

Work, Tone, Been, Maintaining

I like to mix pieces in my art direction from the '60s or the '40s and the '90s and present-day stuff. To me, that feels very real. When I go into people's houses, it's not all today.

- Aaron Ruell

Pieces, Very, Feels, Mix

With the work that I do as a director, I've got dialogue, camera movement, and character blocking to help create a tone to the piece. In photography, those elements are somewhat void so that tone becomes a bit more subtle but still equally important.

- Aaron Ruell

Tone, Equally, Bit, Camera

If I do a certain number of ads, I have to do a personal project in between, just for my own sanity. I still consider myself a punk-rock kid.

- Aaron Ruell

Own, My Own, Still, Ads

It's just this little comedy about this group of guys, and their local hangout is a pool hall, and it's starting to get taken over by this big corporate, evil kind of guy. And it's just about them trying to save the day and their little pool hall in the process of it all. It's called 'Think Tank.'

- Aaron Ruell

Big, Save, About, Tank

Being an actor really, really strengthens me as a director. There's just a certain type of understanding that comes from having been there and knowing how much is really being asked of actors that helps me.

- Aaron Ruell

Director, Been, Having, Strengthens

I don't want to do the nerdy, goofy guy again. That was really fitting for the 'Napoleon' world, but that's kind of where I want it to stay.

- Aaron Ruell

Kind, Want, Goofy, Napoleon

The mindset that I have on every project I take on is, 'How do I make this interesting enough for me to want to stop and look at it?' So in that regard, what I do behind the camera, whether it's still or motion picture, is the same.

- Aaron Ruell

Project, Behind, How, Regard

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