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Brian Dennehy Quotes

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About Brian Dennehy

Brian Harris Dennehy, born on July 9, 1938, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, was an esteemed American actor known for his rich baritone voice and powerful performances spanning stage, film, and television. Dennehy's theatrical journey began at Jacksonville University, where he studied drama, but it was his move to Boston and enrollment at the prestigious Boston's College Fine Arts program that truly ignited his passion for acting. His career took flight in 1960 when he joined the Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York City. In the 1970s, Dennehy made a significant impact on Broadway, winning two Tony Awards - first in 1974 for his role as Willy Loman in "Death of a Salesman" and again in 1999 for "Long Day's Journey into Night." His other notable stage appearances include roles in "Sean O'Casey's The Plough and the Stars," "The Cripple of Inishmaan," and "Arthur Miller's The Price." Transitioning to the big screen, Dennehy delivered memorable performances in films like "Freaky Friday" (1976), "First Blood" (1982) as Sheriff Will Teasle opposite Sylvester Stallone's John Rambo, "Cocoon" (1985), and "Presumed Innocent" (1990). His television work includes starring roles in the series "First Monday" and "Dexter," for which he received an Emmy nomination. Dennehy's influence extends beyond his performances, as he was a dedicated advocate for various causes such as mental health awareness and supporting veterans. Known for his humility and generosity, Dennehy passed away on April 15, 2020, leaving behind an indelible legacy in the world of acting.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The hardest thing in the world to understand is income tax."

This quote by Brian Dennehy suggests that the complexity and intricacy of the income tax system are difficult to grasp or understand for most people, even though it plays a significant role in our financial lives. It's often criticized for being convoluted and confusing, making it challenging for individuals and businesses alike to comply with its rules.

"The theatre is a place where you can be loud and no one calls the cops."

This quote by Brian Dennehy emphasizes that the theater provides a unique space for unrestricted emotional expression, allowing individuals to express themselves in ways that might not be acceptable or feasible in everyday life. The theater is a safe haven where people can let go of inhibitions, amplify their voices, and immerse themselves in a world free from societal constraints. This quote highlights the transformative power of theater, enabling individuals to fully embrace and communicate their feelings without fear of judgment or repercussion.

"There's a lot of truth in humor. I think a good joke is like a flash of light in a dark room."

This quote suggests that humor serves as a powerful tool to illuminate, or bring attention to, the truth in situations. Just as a flash of light brightens a dark room, a good joke can expose the underlying reality in an engaging and memorable way. It implies that humor, when used effectively, can provide clarity and insight, and serve as a catalyst for understanding complexities.

"I don't believe in the devil, but I know there are evil people."

Brian Dennehy's quote suggests a separation between supernatural beliefs (the devil) and human moral character (evil people). He acknowledges that there exist individuals who act with malice and cruelty, which is often referred to as "evil", but he does not subscribe to the notion of an actual, supernatural entity called the devil. In essence, Dennehy highlights the reality of human wickedness without endorsing religious dogma.

"I was lucky enough to be born in a time and place where I could become an actor."

This quote suggests that Brian Dennehy acknowledges his good fortune for being born into circumstances that allowed him to pursue a career as an actor, implying that he understands the significance of timing, place, and opportunity in one's success and personal fulfillment. He expresses gratitude for these factors, which enabled him to realize his professional aspirations.

From 1965 to 1974, I served the best possible apprenticeship for an actor. I learned firsthand how a truck driver lives, what a bartender does, how a salesman thinks. I had to make a life inside those jobs, not just pretend.

- Brian Dennehy

Best, Truck, Had, Truck Driver

I like sports. I'm a big football fan. When I was a kid, I was a... I don't even know how to describe it... I was an obsessed Brooklyn Dodgers fan. And I think when they left Brooklyn, which was simultaneous with me starting college, everything changed, and I haven't had the same passion for sports.

- Brian Dennehy

College, Big, I Think, Simultaneous

I was in high school in 1953 when the Committee of One Million circulated a petition urging that Red China - one third of the world's population - be excluded from the United Nations. And I remember I refused to sign it, at 14 or 15 years old.

- Brian Dennehy

I Remember, United Nations, Urging

My grandfather was a really, really tough no-nonsense factory worker who emigrated from Ireland in about 1900 to Bridgeport, Conn. He had a big effect on me. Those guys who took a great leap out into what they knew not were the ones who were the real stars, the real heroes.

- Brian Dennehy

Big, About, Had, Ireland

If you're sixty-something, pushing 70, the chances of you getting a tremendously fascinating part in the movies are very low, as to be almost negligible, or even in television. But in the theatre, there are still things to do, very interesting, very profound things.

- Brian Dennehy

Very, Still, Almost, Chances

I'm not in the movie business anymore, and hardly any 70 year olds are. I always ask the producers: 'Are there no 70-year old vampires?' Apparently there are not - or even zombies for that matter. I guess they all get eaten.

- Brian Dennehy

Year, Movie, Vampires, Eaten

I've got two artificial knees, I have an artificial shoulder, and I'm reasonably healthy given the damage I've done to myself. Everything hurts.

- Brian Dennehy

Knees, Given, Damage, Shoulder

No one would ever cast me as an aristocrat. I think the big thing about being an Irish artist is access to melancholy. Especially the American Irish. The availability of loss, some kind of pain, is an important part of who we are. I think my Irishness gave me that.

- Brian Dennehy

Big, Some, I Think, Melancholy

I idolize Gene Hackman. He is not a natural star, not an incandescent personality like Jack Nicholson, but he makes luminous the problems of being an ordinary man in an extraordinary situation.

- Brian Dennehy

Star, Natural, Ordinary Man, Jack

If I could transform my stage life to the movies, I'd be Jack Nicholson.

- Brian Dennehy

Could, If I Could, Nicholson, Jack

It'd be very difficult to cast me as a ballet dancer. Everybody is, in some sense, controlled by their size and their gender. I'm not going to be allowed to play the part that Denzel Washington plays.

- Brian Dennehy

Play, Some, Very, Denzel

What really matters is that you do what you think is right, what you believe in, and you surround yourself with the people you care about in this world. That's what counts in this life.

- Brian Dennehy

Think, About, Counts, Surround

At 13, I was a big, totally uncoordinated, hopeless football player. I responded to somebody else's rules, and I stayed just good enough to get a scholarship to Columbia, which was looking for scholar-athletes.

- Brian Dennehy

Big, Football Player, Which, Scholarship

I remember playing John Wayne Gacy, serial killer, very sick, neurotic, screwed-up guy. You know what? There's a part of me there, too, and you explore that.

- Brian Dennehy

I Remember, Very, John Wayne, Serial

My father had a good sense of humour about a lot of things, including life, which I think I inherited.

- Brian Dennehy

Think, I Think, Which, Inherited

I come from an Irish Catholic family, and hell-raising is part of the DNA.

- Brian Dennehy

DNA, Saint Patrick's Day, Catholic

Theater is a physical activity as much as anything. It's harder for me to learn the lines than it was 30 years ago. At the same time, I'll never quit working in the theater - until I can't memorize two lines back to back.

- Brian Dennehy

Never Quit, Back, Activity, Lines

In this business, you have a hierarchy of stars. Russell Crowe, Tom Hanks - you name 'em, they can play any part they want. Guys like me who are somewhere down in the middle of the pack, that's a different story. I can do things in the theater that I can't do anyplace else.

- Brian Dennehy

Play, Somewhere, Part, None

I lied about serving in Vietnam, and I'm sorry. I did not mean to take away from the actions and the sacrifices of the ones who did really serve there... I did steal valor. That was very wrong of me. There is no real excuse for that.

- Brian Dennehy

Away, Very, Steal, Serving

When you think about it, what's the difference between Bobby Knight and Vince Lombardi? Why is one guy a god, and the other guy is regarded as a crazy man?

- Brian Dennehy

Think, Other, About, Knight

The older I get, the more interesting the part has to be. Bobby Knight is extremely interesting.

- Brian Dennehy

More, Extremely, Bobby, Knight

As the stars make more and more money - one person gets $12 million, $14 million, $15 million, $20 million - everyone else is expected to work for peanuts. And that includes some extraordinary actors who are, today, working for peanuts because the production companies have decided they don't need to pay these people, and they don't.

- Brian Dennehy

Some, Production, Peanuts, Million

I'm not one of these people who likes to do as little as possible. I really do feel the hot breath of time on the back of my neck these days. And there are certain things I want to do before my time is up.

- Brian Dennehy

Feel, Back, Before, Neck

My problem is, if any place I'm sleeping catches on fire, I've got a problem because it takes me 20 minutes to get everything moving in the morning.

- Brian Dennehy

Minutes, Got, Any, Moving

Call me old-fashioned, but I believe that morality is not just a matter of opinion.

- Brian Dennehy

Me, Morality, Call, Opinion

My father was a classic intellectual. From him I learned devotion, and I also learned about the life of the mind.

- Brian Dennehy

Father, Mind, Learned, Intellectual

You know, you get to a certain age, 45, 50, I don't know when it happens, I said, 'Jesus, all I got is a certain amount of time. Maybe I should think about using it a little better.'

- Brian Dennehy

Maybe, Got, About, Certain Age

It took a long time for me to have any impact in the business because I didn't look like an actor, I didn't sound like an actor.

- Brian Dennehy

Business, Like, Took, Impact

The theater business has allowed me, in a way the movie and TV business has not, to do very, very interesting work. So that's what I do.

- Brian Dennehy

Business, Very, TV, Theater

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