Anne Reid Quotes

Powerful Anne Reid for Daily Growth

About Anne Reid

Anne Reid, born on June 15, 1935, in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, is a renowned British actress and writer, best known for her work in television, theatre, and film. Her career spans over six decades, showcasing her versatility and enduring talent. Reid's early life was marked by an influential education at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. This foundation laid the groundwork for her future success, nurturing her love for acting and storytelling. Her professional journey began on stage, with roles in various productions before transitioning to television in the late 1960s. One of Reid's most significant early television appearances was as Emily Eustace Barstow in "Upstairs, Downstairs" (1971-1975). This role cemented her reputation as a talented and versatile actress, capable of portraying complex characters with depth and nuance. In the 1980s, Reid ventured into writing, penning several plays that were performed in theatres across the UK. Her play "The Assassination Exhibitionism of Lady Macbeth" was a critical success, showcasing her ability to create compelling narratives and intriguing characters. Throughout her career, Reid has continued to captivate audiences with her performances in popular TV series like "Last Tango in Halifax," for which she won a British Academy Television Award (BAFTA) for Best Actress in 2014. Her work in film includes roles in "Calendar Girls" and the Harry Potter series. Anne Reid's career is a testament to her resilience, talent, and adaptability in the ever-evolving world of entertainment. Her contributions to British theatre, television, and film continue to inspire new generations of artists.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"It's never too late to become who you might have been."

This quote by Anne Reid suggests that it is never too late for personal growth, self-discovery, or the pursuit of dreams. Regardless of one's age or current circumstances, it is always possible to redefine oneself and embrace new paths in life. It encourages individuals to continue learning, exploring, and evolving, even if they feel they have strayed from their intended path or potential. Embracing this sentiment can lead to a more fulfilling and enriching life experience.


"The older I get, the more I appreciate my own company."

This quote emphasizes the value that Anne Reid places on personal solitude and self-discovery as she matures in age. As we grow older, our lives often become less hectic, providing us with more opportunities to engage in activities or simply to reflect upon our experiences. The appreciation of one's own company implies a growing sense of contentment and independence that comes from understanding oneself better and feeling comfortable in one's own skin. This quote also suggests that as we age, we may prioritize self-care and introspection over external validation or distractions, fostering personal growth and inner peace.


"I think age is a state of mind and I don't feel old at all."

The quote emphasizes that one's perceived age doesn't necessarily align with biological or chronological age. Instead, it suggests that an individual's 'state of mind,' encompassing their outlook, attitudes, and feelings, plays a vital role in determining how old they feel. This perspective underscores the importance of maintaining a youthful spirit and an openness to new experiences as means of aging gracefully and joyfully.


"We need to learn that life doesn't always give us what we want or expect. It gives us what we need."

This quote emphasizes the idea that while our desires and expectations shape our lives, they may not always align with what life ultimately offers us. Instead, life provides us with what we truly need to learn, grow, and become the best versions of ourselves. It encourages resilience and adaptability in the face of unexpected challenges, reminding us that hidden within these situations lie opportunities for personal development.


"The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion."

This quote by Anne Reid suggests a call to action for individuals living in oppressive or restrictive societies. The idea is to achieve such personal freedom, autonomy, and self-determination that one's mere presence, choices, and actions become acts of defiance against the controlling forces. By pursuing their own unique paths and expressing themselves genuinely, these individuals make a statement of resistance, effectively challenging and undermining the dominant norms and systems that seek to limit their freedom. It's an inspiring message about standing up for one's values, self-expression, and human rights in the face of adversity or oppression.


The British tend to be uptight; they shy away from being tactile.

- Anne Reid

Shy, Away, Tend, Uptight

If someone, a director, tries to tell me the way to do something, I'm not good at adapting. I need time to go away and think about things.

- Anne Reid

Think, Away, Tries, Adapting

My favourite time of year is two weeks before Christmas when everybody's up for it - you're having lunches with people, drinking Cosmopolitans, and getting ready for something exciting!

- Anne Reid

Everybody, Weeks, Having, Two Weeks

I don't ever think of myself as coming from a particular class because my father was working class but made his living as a newspaper foreign correspondent - someone of no fixed abode, as he used to say - who was as comfortable dining with the Mountbattens in India as he was having a pint with the boys. He was very gregarious.

- Anne Reid

Father, Newspaper, Very, Fixed

I'm more temperamental. As I've got older, I've become more demanding.

- Anne Reid

More, Older, Demanding, Temperamental

Wouldn't it be lovely if there were no such things as birth certificates? If I really thought I was 53, life would be much better. I'd love to blow up all the birth certificates.

- Anne Reid

Love, Thought, Lovely, Blow

I get very spiky if people treat me like an old lady.

- Anne Reid

Treat, Like, Very, Old Lady

Get an Alan Bennett script; then everybody will want to do it, no matter how big they are.

- Anne Reid

Big, How, Everybody, Alan

I have notebooks all over the place. I write little stories for my cabaret.

- Anne Reid

Over, Stories, I Write, Notebooks

I should be in an old people's home now, counting the roses in the wallpaper. It's a good life, isn't it?

- Anne Reid

Old, Counting, Wallpaper, Roses

I would have liked Sir Laurence Olivier to ask me to go to the Old Vic and let me play all the roles Judi Dench got.

- Anne Reid

Play, Dench, Laurence, None

I think that the romantic suspense that you used to get between people like Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant is much sexier than seeing people taking their clothes off and getting into bed, which is voyeurism.

- Anne Reid

Bed, Used, I Think, None

My teacher at RADA said I was going to have trouble when I left because I wasn't an obvious juvenile lead, although I could do both comedy and drama. But I understood enough to know that my career was going to be a marathon, not a sprint.

- Anne Reid

Career, Drama, Sprint, Juvenile

I did go to public school, but that's only because my parents were abroad. As a matter of fact, I think that's helped my work. I can go from Victoria Wood's 'Dinnerladies' to playing Barbara Cartland, from 'Coronation Street' to playing Celia in Last 'Tango'.

- Anne Reid

Fact, I Think, Public School, Wood

I'm afraid sometimes I cram too much into my schedule. And I'm not very domesticated. I'm absolutely hopeless in the kitchen.

- Anne Reid

Too Much, Sometimes, Very, Kitchen

Maybe I'll get into a Bond film... I always thought I'd be a Bond Girl when I was young.

- Anne Reid

Thought, Always, Maybe, Bond Girl

My father was full of tales. He said his family were ministers in the Church of Scotland, or they were lawyers.

- Anne Reid

Father, Church, Lawyers, Tales

I've a very sweet tooth. Wish I didn't.

- Anne Reid

Wish, Sweet Tooth, Very, Tooth

I used to lie in bed and imagine I was performing at the Albert Hall, not that I'd ever been there. I took lessons with a German teacher when I was quite young. But it turned out I had a very high soprano voice, which I didn't like at all.

- Anne Reid

Voice, Bed, German, Lessons

We are just party people. We always had a drink in the evening with the music on and space to dance. It was that kind of a family.

- Anne Reid

Kind, Always, Had, Evening

Jasmine - it brings back memories of India with my parents.

- Anne Reid

Memories, Back, Brings, Jasmine

My first big disappointment is always, why don't I look like Julie Christie? Then I realise I don't look remotely like Julie Christie, and that's always a great sadness to me. Because I used to think I might have done, at one time. And I'm too fat. And I'm too old. You always see your faults, you see.

- Anne Reid

Sadness, Big, Why, One Time

I'm quite surprised I ever got married in the first place.

- Anne Reid

First Place, Ever, Quite, Surprised

I've accepted stuff even if it's a few lines, because I think it's better to be seen.

- Anne Reid

Think, I Think, Accepted, Lines

Now that I know about my great-great-grandfather, I feel that John Reid and I would have got on well together.

- Anne Reid

Feel, I Feel, About, Reid

I like waking up in the morning and thinking, 'Mmm, I might go to Paris today.' I don't want to ask anyone if they want to come with me or mind me going. I like being my own agent. I have my grandsons and son. If I didn't have them, it would be different.

- Anne Reid

Thinking, Own, Agent, Waking

I did a play in Bolton - 'Billy Liar.' I turned it down at first but then thought, 'What the hell else can I do? I'm no good at anything else.'

- Anne Reid

Play, Billy, Turned, Liar

My parents were adorable. They were very kind, and very broad-minded compared to people of their generation.

- Anne Reid

Generation, Very, Were, Compared

I'm enormously proud of being the ancestor of a convict. That's mad, isn't it, but I really am.

- Anne Reid

Proud, Mad, Being, Ancestors

I'm not homophobic. I mean, who cares? You know the state of the world, and you're only here for about 70, 80, years, so why do people worry about somebody's sex life? It's bonkers, really.

- Anne Reid

Why, Here, About, Who Cares

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.