Antony Sher Quotes

Powerful Antony Sher for Daily Growth

About Antony Sher

Antony Sher (born March 16, 1949) is an acclaimed British actor, playwright, and director, renowned for his transformative performances in theater. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sher immigrated to the United Kingdom in 1967 to escape apartheid, settling in London where he would later make a significant impact on the world of acting. Influenced by the works of Shakespeare and inspired by the vibrant London stage scene, Sher found his niche in the Royal National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). He is particularly known for his extraordinary ability to embody diverse characters through his mastery of physicality, voice, and emotion. One of his most acclaimed roles was that of Shylock in "The Merchant of Venice," a performance which garnered him an Olivier Award and international recognition. In addition to acting, Sher is also a prolific playwright, often writing works that reflect his personal experiences as a gay Jewish man. His play "Bent" explores the persecution of homosexual men during the Holocaust, while "A Number," co-written with his longtime collaborator Nicholas Wright, delves into the ethical implications of human cloning. Throughout his illustrious career, Sher has won numerous accolades, including two Tony Awards and two Olivier Awards. His work continues to push boundaries, challenge perceptions, and captivate audiences worldwide. Despite battling cancer in recent years, Sher remains an active artist, proving that his unwavering passion for the stage knows no bounds.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Acting is not about being someone different. It's finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there."

Antony Sher suggests that acting isn't about transforming into a completely different character but rather discovering shared traits between oneself and the role being played. By exploring these commonalities, an actor can authentically portray the character, thus finding themselves in the process of interpretation. This quote highlights the importance of empathy and self-awareness in the art of acting, emphasizing that we are all more connected than we might initially perceive.


"The greatest art is that which does not seem to be art."

The quote emphasizes the idea that true mastery in an art form lies in its ability to transcend the boundaries of art, becoming indistinguishable from life itself. In other words, a work of art achieves greatness when it immerses us so deeply into its reality that we forget we are observing art; instead, we experience truth and emotion directly. This interpretation underscores the power of art to move us, connect us, and ultimately transform our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.


"In our society, we are taught that success comes from the outside. But it actually comes from the inside."

This quote emphasizes that inner qualities, such as character, determination, resilience, and self-belief, play a crucial role in achieving success. It suggests that external factors like wealth, connections, or opportunities are secondary to an individual's internal drive, skills, and mindset. In essence, one must cultivate their own strengths and potential for true and lasting success to manifest.


"To be an actor means never to be able to rest on your laurels, but always to strive for a better understanding, a greater truth, and a more passionate portrayal."

This quote emphasizes that acting is a lifelong journey of self-improvement and seeking authenticity in performance. Antony Sher suggests that actors should never settle with past successes but constantly aim for deeper understanding, truer representations, and more passionate deliveries in their roles. It underlines the artist's commitment to growth and excellence in their craft.


"The key to acting is to find something in yourself that you can use, something personal, and to bring it to the role."

Antony Sher's quote emphasizes the importance of drawing from one's personal experiences when acting. He suggests that an actor should aim to find a relatable aspect within themselves and incorporate it into their portrayal of a character, thereby making the performance more authentic and impactful. This approach not only helps in bringing realism to the role but also allows for a deeper emotional connection between the actor and the character, resulting in a compelling and convincing performance.


I never regret things. It's a really dangerous thing to say, but for anyone involved in the arts, the bad things that happen make for good material. It's not a comfortable truth, but it is true.

- Antony Sher

Regret, Bad, Happen, Never Regret

I feel so sorry for younger actors who aren't able to have the opportunities that I had, starting out in repertory theatre. It's really tough on young actors now.

- Antony Sher

Young, Feel, Younger, Repertory

As a gay Jewish white South African, I belong to quite a lot of minority groups. You constantly have to question who you are, what you are and whether you have the courage to be who you are.

- Antony Sher

Question, Belong, South, South African

I'm always very proud of belonging to three minorities: gay, Jewish, white South African.

- Antony Sher

Proud, Always, Very, South African

I'm a huge fan of David Hockney. I love the way he keeps reinventing himself.

- Antony Sher

Love, Way, Huge Fan, Reinventing

I have a Woody Allen Jewish attitude to life: that it's all going to be disastrous. That it hasn't all been that way is simply down to some random quirk of fate.

- Antony Sher

Attitude, Some, Been, Woody

I'm a complete technophobe. I can't even email.

- Antony Sher

Complete, Even, Email

The whole of my acting career is a bit of a mystery to me.

- Antony Sher

Me, Mystery, Career, Acting Career

You don't expect to get the letter saying, Her Majesty would like to appoint you Knight Commander of the British Empire! It was just a completely overwhelming and exciting day.

- Antony Sher

British Empire, Expect, Like, Overwhelming

It's good for actors to confront those things we have to act: panic, pain and death.

- Antony Sher

Death, Pain, Act, Panic

If I could write a letter to my teenage self, I'd probably say something like: 'You ain't gonna believe what will become of you.'

- Antony Sher

Will, Like, Could, If I Could

Most of my career has been spent with the RSC doing Shakespeare, and the thing you learn from Shakespeare is that his historical plays don't bear anything other than a basic resemblance to history.

- Antony Sher

Career, Doing, Been, Shakespeare

When I am on a long run in a play, I'm not sure how I would fill the days if I did not paint or write. On a basic level, it just stops me going crazy.

- Antony Sher

Play, Run, Paint, Going Crazy

I love playing outsiders, I always do.

- Antony Sher

Love, Always, I Love, Outsiders

I love the mixture that's in me. It makes me me. And that's why it's such a shame that people waste energy in denying who they are.

- Antony Sher

Love, Shame, Waste, Denying

I was a weak kid, not good at what all the boys at school were good at and I found that by acting, by being other people, I could liberate myself from those inadequacies.

- Antony Sher

Kid, Other, Could, Liberate

A lot of good actors tend to be quite introverted as people.

- Antony Sher

Lot, Tend, Quite, Introverted

I was never built to play the hero. Physically or emotionally... And they're not as rewarding to play. At least for me.

- Antony Sher

Play, Never, Rewarding, Emotionally

We've all got darkness inside us. And I've got quite a lot of darkness.

- Antony Sher

Darkness, Lot, Quite, Quite A Lot

I have no cynicism at all.

- Antony Sher

Cynicism

Every play I do, every book I write, every painting I paint, I will struggle with. I don't know what it's like for a project to come easy.

- Antony Sher

Play, Will, I Write, Paint

I believe deeply in therapy. There's no one in the world who wouldn't benefit from it.

- Antony Sher

World, Therapy, Deeply, Benefit

Life is just more comfortable if you're honest and open about everything. I spent so many years being in the closet about one thing or another.

- Antony Sher

More, So Many Years, Spent, Closet

I don't believe in an afterlife.

- Antony Sher

Believe, Afterlife

What drew me to acting in the first place was disguise.

- Antony Sher

Me, Place, First Place, Disguise

My grandparents all came from Lithuania to South Africa.

- Antony Sher

Africa, South Africa, South, Grandparents

When I'm painting and drawing I only do people. Acting is obviously portraiture - and writing is as well.

- Antony Sher

Writing, Drawing, Only, Painting

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