ByQuotes

Charles Dance Quotes

Powerful Charles Dance for Daily Growth

About Charles Dance

Charles Dance (born October 10, 1946) is an esteemed English actor, director, and author, renowned for his versatile performances in film, television, and theatre. Born in London to dance teacher Eleanor Fawcett and architect William Dance, he grew up in a nurturing environment that fostered his creative pursuits. His interest in acting began at the Catholic public school, Sedbergh School, where he discovered a passion for drama and performing. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 1967, Dance embarked on a successful career that spanned over five decades. Some of his early notable works include roles in the BBC series "The Onedin Line" (1971-1973), the film "Rebecca" (1979), and the theatre production of "A Chorus of Disapproval" (1984). However, it was his portrayal of Tywin Lannister in the hit HBO series "Game of Thrones" (2011-2015) that brought him global acclaim. Other notable film roles include "The Golden Compass" (2007), "Last Action Hero" (1993), and "Season of the Witch" (2011). As a director, Dance has made significant contributions to British television, with directing credits on shows like "Bleak House" (2005) and "Cranford" (2007). In addition to his acting career, Dance is also an accomplished author. His debut novel, "The Killing Ground," was published in 1986, followed by "The Wet and the Dry" in 1994. Both novels were set in rural England during World War II. Throughout his illustrious career, Charles Dance has been recognized with numerous awards, including three BAFTA Awards and a Cable ACE Award for his work on "Game of Thrones." His enduring talent, versatility, and commitment to the arts continue to captivate audiences around the world.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Every man's life ends in death, son. The honorable man meets it first with his face."

This quote emphasizes the importance of integrity and courage in the face of inevitable mortality. It suggests that an honorable person confronts death without fear, maintaining dignity and composure. In other words, one who lives honorably is prepared to accept life's end with grace, facing it directly as a natural part of existence.

"There is no nobility in anger; it is the mark of a weak and petty soul."

This quote highlights that expressing anger without control or purpose demonstrates personal weakness and immaturity. The noble individual maintains their composure and responds thoughtfully, even during challenging situations. Instead of reacting impulsively in anger, they choose to act with dignity and maturity.

"I have no ambition other than to live as well and as long as I can."

This quote by Charles Dance expresses a simple yet profound desire for a fulfilling life. It implies that he seeks to make the most of his time on Earth, prioritizing personal well-being and longevity above external recognition or status symbols often associated with ambition. Essentially, it's about living life to its fullest potential, cherishing every moment, and striving for a long, healthy, and satisfying existence.

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

This quote, often attributed to Lord Acton but famously delivered by Charles Dance in his role as Tywin Lannister on "Game of Thrones", encapsulates a fundamental truth about human nature: the more power one has, the greater potential for corruption exists. When power is absolute, or unrestrained, it can corrupt individuals to the point where they lose sight of ethics and morality, often leading to misuse or abuse of that power. It's a timeless reminder of the need for checks and balances in any system of authority.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

This quote by Charles Dance emphasizes the idea that life is defined not just by ordinary moments, but by extraordinary ones – experiences that leave us in awe or filled with emotion. In other words, it's not just the quantity of experiences we have, but the quality, those instances that truly stand out and make an impact on our lives, that matter most in measuring life's value. These moments serve as reminders of what truly moves us, inspires us, and helps us grow as individuals, ultimately shaping who we are and how we perceive the world around us.

Audiences seem to have a limitless appetite for vampires and for fantasy in general. Unlike many other British actors, I haven't been building up my pension appearing in films like 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'Harry Potter,' but fantasy has now got a grip on me. I am also appearing in 'Game of Thrones' as the head of the House of Lannister.

- Charles Dance

Game, Other, Been, Pension

A handful of older, romantic leading men, like Sean Connery, Jack Nicholson, and Robert Redford are still landing parts.

- Charles Dance

Like, Still, Handful, None

A while ago, I did a television adaptation of 'Bleak House,' and the character I played, as far as I was concerned, had no redeeming features whatsoever. I wasn't about to try to find any; I didn't need to.

- Charles Dance

Need, Concerned, Whatsoever, Bleak

Runners are the lowest of the low in film units. They're paid very, very minimal wages - probably below the national average. And runners are now being asked to drive actors about, as well as their runner duties. It's kind of the same as taking advantage of nurses - it's appalling.

- Charles Dance

Average, Very, About, Nurses

I had a stammer through adolescence. Any fun I'd had performing in school plays disappeared and only came back at 18, when the stammer started to go. Then I thought: 'Well, perhaps I can show off now.'

- Charles Dance

Thought, Through, Show, Stammer

I think it's counterproductive for actors to come to the set with well-thumbed copies of the book their film is adapted from.

- Charles Dance

Think, I Think, Set, Adapted

The quality of writing attracts me to films, also who the other actors are, who the director is, where it's being shot. Any or all of those things. But if the writing is really appalling, then the money had better be really good. Sometimes you say yes to something you wouldn't always do because you need the money.

- Charles Dance

Sometimes, Other, Had, Attracts

I got a lot of energy from directing the film 'Ladies In Lavender.' You wonder if you have the stamina because as an actor you can lounge around the trailer during the scenes you're not in, but as a director, you're there from first thing in the morning to last thing at night every day of the week. I found it incredibly energising.

- Charles Dance

Week, Every Day, Stamina, Trailer

I'm riddled with cynicism. Whenever anyone says 'trust me,' the hairs go up on the back of my neck.

- Charles Dance

Trust, Go, Cynicism, Riddled

I've done maybe twelve of Shakespeare's plays. I was with the Royal Shakespeare Company for years. Whatever influence that has never leaves you. If you learn to drive a car, and you learn the right way if there is ever a right way. You learn the good aspects, you learn to drive properly. And that never leaves you.

- Charles Dance

Good, Maybe, Aspects, Right Way

We need to look to our laurels a bit with television in this country. I don't think enough risks are being taken in drama television in the U.K., and I think a lot of programme makers are underestimating the intelligence of the viewing public, basing it all on ratings.

- Charles Dance

Country, I Think, Bit, Ratings

We have to take risks in British television. It has to stop playing to the lowest common denominator and patronising people.

- Charles Dance

Risks, Stop, Take, Common Denominator

I don't like watching television too much; it tires me out for some reason. But I saw a fair bit of 'Game of Thrones' because it was so good. I mostly watched episodes that I wasn't in.

- Charles Dance

Game, Reason, Some, Episodes

I've never been one for late nights, which is why I have always preferred making films to theatre. A play takes over your life: you start to feel sick at lunchtime, and by mid-afternoon, you're wishing for a bomb scare so the whole thing will be called off. Of course, if the evening goes well and you get the applause, then it's wonderful.

- Charles Dance

Play, Scare, Been, Applause

If I talk about Charles Dance I am talking about something else, something I operate and wind up and have to make an impression with and use to transmit someone else's screenplay.

- Charles Dance

Use, About, Something Else, Wind

There is a huge fan base; they're very knowledgeable and very loyal. I was astonished - before I started working on the series, I didn't know anything about 'Game of Thrones.' I hadn't heard of the books.

- Charles Dance

Game, Before, Very, Fan Base

In my home, I listen to music; I play music: I play guitar and I play ukelele. And I swim and I ride a bike and I do all the things that everybody else does.

- Charles Dance

Ride, Play, Everybody, Play Music

I was a window dresser for Burton's once. What really put me off was the area manager coming round and saying, Charles, I think you're a natch at this.

- Charles Dance

Think, I Think, Area, Dresser

I love the Restoration. It's a bit like coming out of the John Major era into the optimism of Tony Blair.

- Charles Dance

Love, Optimism, Like, None

When you have a label stuck on you, people tend to believe it. If someone calls you suave and debonair, you only get offered parts in a suit and a collar and tie. It just so happens I wear them reasonably well.

- Charles Dance

Believe, Wear, Tend, Reasonably

I like to be busy. I once shared an agent with the late Sir John Gielgud, who, at 96, was apparently still ringing up, saying, 'Hello, Gielgud here, any work?' Good on him. We've got to keep working. If we retire, there'll be nobody to play the old wrinklies, and that would be a dreadful shame.

- Charles Dance

Play, Here, Shared, Dreadful

Your senses are reeling all the time. Finally you find something to write and the very next day you go out and see something else which totally contradicts what you've written and every conclusion you've come to.

- Charles Dance

Next, Senses, Very, Reeling

When you get to a certain age, the work begins to thin out.

- Charles Dance

Work, Begins, Certain Age, Thin

Actors can't retire. If actors retired, there would be nobody left to play old, wrinkly people. You have to keep going, darling - don't you?

- Charles Dance

Play, Going, Darling, Retire

My mother was a waitress in a Lyons Corner House, but she married up. She was keen on bettering herself. She taught me how to use the right knives and forks and behave properly.

- Charles Dance

Waitress, Use, Forks, Knives

I phoned this number and said, Please, sir, I want to be an actor.

- Charles Dance

Want, Actor, Number, Sir

If you get a bad script, then you start expending energy trying to make a silk purse of a sow's ear. When the script's as good as those on 'Game of Thrones,' say, I don't think there was a single occasion where any of us thought there was a bad scene.

- Charles Dance

Game, Bad, Occasion, Sow

I would have liked to have worked with Ralph Richardson and Paul Scofield, but they're dead now.

- Charles Dance

Ralph, Worked, Would, Paul

We had five goats, two dogs, a cat and racks of commentaries on Shakespeare.

- Charles Dance

Dogs, Cat, Goats, Shakespeare

You have to attempt to be objective about yourself.

- Charles Dance

Yourself, About, Attempt, Objective

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.