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Colm Wilkinson Quotes

Powerful Colm Wilkinson for Daily Growth

About Colm Wilkinson

Colm Wilkinson, C.M., O.Ont (born August 13, 1950), is a renowned Canadian actor, singer, and composer who has made significant contributions to the world of music theatre. Known for his powerful baritone voice, he has graced stages across the globe and left an indelible mark on the industry. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Wilkinson was raised in a musical family. His father, a tenor, and mother, a soprano, nurtured his love for music from a young age. After studying at the University of Toronto and York University, he began his professional career in 1973 with the Canadian Opera Company. Wilkinson gained international acclaim when he originated the role of Jean Valjean in the London and Broadway productions of Les Misérables, a role he reprised multiple times over the next three decades. This iconic role earned him a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, an Olivier Award, and a Drama Desk Award. In addition to his work on stage, Wilkinson has lent his voice to numerous animated films, including Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Tarzan. His television credits include roles in Star Trek: Voyager, CSI: Miami, and Murder, She Wrote. As a composer, Wilkinson collaborated with Leslie Arden on the musical Myths and Hymns, which premiered at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2015. His other compositions include works for choral ensembles and solo vocalists. Throughout his illustrious career, Wilkinson has been honored with numerous awards, including multiple Juno Awards, a Dora Mavor Moore Award, and an Officer of the Order of Canada. His influence on the world of music theatre continues to resonate, inspiring generations of performers and fans alike.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Love is a promise, love is a souvenir, once given never forgotten, never let it disappear."

This quote by Colm Wilkinson highlights the lasting nature and profound impact of love. He describes love as both a pledge (a promise) and a keepsake (a souvenir), emphasizing its enduring quality - once given, it is never forgotten. Furthermore, he advises against allowing love to fade or disappear, underscoring its importance in our lives. In essence, the quote underscores the significance of cherishing and preserving love, as it holds a special place in our hearts and memories forever.

"One man can change the world... with the right song at the right moment."

This quote by Colm Wilkinson emphasizes the power of art, particularly music, in inspiring and inciting change. It suggests that a single individual can make a significant impact on the world if they find the perfect message and express it through an impactful song at a critical moment in time. The right song has the potential to stir emotions, spark thought, and mobilize people towards positive action, thereby transforming society.

"Life is filled with choices; make yours today!"

The quote by Colm Wilkinson encourages individuals to seize control of their lives and make conscious decisions. It's a call-to-action to live proactively, rather than passively allowing life events to dictate our actions. Each day presents new opportunities, challenges, and crossroads; this statement urges us to use these moments as chances for growth and self-determination by choosing wisely. In essence, it invites us to embrace responsibility for our lives and make choices that reflect our values and aspirations.

"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today."

This quote by Colm Wilkinson encourages both aspiration and mindfulness. The first part, "Dream as if you'll live forever," suggests that we should think big, aim high, and allow our dreams to transcend the limitations of time and possibility. It's a call to imagine a boundless future for ourselves and our aspirations. On the other hand, "Live as if you'll die today" is about savoring and valuing each moment in the present. It's a reminder that life is unpredictable, and we should seize opportunities, express love, and cherish experiences without procrastination or hesitation. Essentially, this quote challenges us to dream with passion while living intentionally and meaningfully.

"Don't just let love slip through your fingers, hold it in your heart and let it fly."

This quote suggests that one should not passively allow love to disappear but instead cultivate and cherish it within oneself while also allowing it to manifest and grow. It encourages an active approach to loving relationships, where individuals hold onto the emotions and memories of love in their hearts, yet also let love spread and flourish beyond them. This sentiment emphasizes the importance of fostering love not just for self-gratification but also for its potential to inspire positive change and impact others' lives positively.

The great saints were always great innovators... They had to be very strong people... principled people. And, apart from their principles, with great tenacity they had to have great reserves of patience.

- Colm Wilkinson

Strong, Always, Very, Principled

Tom Hooper did an amazing job in capturing the feel of Victor Hugo's book. I thought some of the performances were incredible. I thought the Bishop would be a nice part to play, and they all made such a fuss of me being there.

- Colm Wilkinson

Play, Some, Hugo, Capturing

There's nothing like being in front of a live audience and getting that vibe from them, and I love people to join in the singing, and I love people to clap their hands.

- Colm Wilkinson

Love, Audience, Vibe, Clap

I suppose I've been very fortunate in terms of my longevity and my voice and the way it has held up over the years. I hope to be able to keep on doing what I'm doing until I can't do it anymore.

- Colm Wilkinson

Voice, Over, Very, Longevity

It's called showbusiness, and the business end of it is very important, especially now. You have to learn the business end of it; otherwise, you get ripped off left, right and centre.

- Colm Wilkinson

Business, Very, Otherwise, Ripped

You have to learn how to read contracts, how to position yourself, and about marketing. That is why you find the most successful artists are the ones who can mix creativity with business.

- Colm Wilkinson

Business, Learn, Read, Mix

I absolutely had a dream of doing 'Man of La Mancha' one day; that's a long time ago.

- Colm Wilkinson

Doing, One Day, Had, La

Hal Prince and Andrew actually asked me if I would be interested in continuing with 'Phantom', but obviously I was under contract to 'Les Mis' by then.

- Colm Wilkinson

Contract, Obviously, Then, Andrew

I don't keep a lot of memorabilia around.

- Colm Wilkinson

Keep, Around, Lot, Memorabilia

The movie has called it closed. I'm not saying I won't ever listen to 'Les Miserables' again. But it closed the door for me. It's gone its own way.

- Colm Wilkinson

Door, Movie, Again, Les

'Bloodless' reminded me a bit of 'Les Miserables' when it first came out.

- Colm Wilkinson

Me, Bloodless, Reminded, Les

There have been lots of attempts to make a movie of 'Les Miserables' over the years.

- Colm Wilkinson

Over, Been, Lots, Les

'Les Miserables', the book, 'Les Miserables', the musical - it's about giving; it's about goodness. It's about compassion and love.

- Colm Wilkinson

Love, Book, Musical, Les

You do get a lot of people complaining if you don't do songs they have come to expect. I have to be careful about fulfilling that side of things and keeping it fresh for other people who have come to see the show.

- Colm Wilkinson

Be Careful, Other, Side, Fresh

Eighty per cent of my time is spent on paperwork, hiring musicians, putting bands together, setting up concerts, and 20 per cent is spent on the music. That's the part that you really enjoy, but you can't afford to spend 80 per cent on your music; otherwise, it's not going to happen.

- Colm Wilkinson

Hiring, Putting, Cent, Paperwork

Have you seen the Broadway version of 'The Lion King?' Go and see it. That's where the future of musical is.

- Colm Wilkinson

King, Broadway, Musical, Lion King

I remember, I was doing 'Jesus Christ Superstar' in London in the early '70s, and friends of mine had come over from Dublin, and they're knocking on the stage door after the show saying, 'Colm, come on, let's go for a drink.' I knew that if I went with them, I wouldn't be able to do my job the next day.

- Colm Wilkinson

Door, I Remember, Next, Knocking

I'm from a small Irish family of 10, so there always was music in the house. Growing up, my older sisters had things like 'South Pacific' and opera on.

- Colm Wilkinson

Small, Opera, Always, Pacific

When I work with a character like Valjean on stage, I get totally absorbed in that man. I become that man. But there's always, outside of that, the third eye, which watches what you're doing. And you can say to yourself, 'I'm crying well' or 'I'm being angry well.' But there's always that element there, and it never stops.

- Colm Wilkinson

Character, Doing, Crying, Element

I wouldn't impress my opinions on anyone.

- Colm Wilkinson

Opinions, Anyone, Impress

The 'Donny and Marie' show is incredible. It's not a musical, but for sheer entertainment value and energy, it's a real 10 out of 10.

- Colm Wilkinson

Entertainment, Show, Musical, Marie

My father was from Belfast; my mother was from Crossmolina. I grew up in Dublin.

- Colm Wilkinson

Mother, Father, Dublin, Belfast

People ask me how I sang the role of the 'Phantom' 1,700 times. And I say that it's down to good material. If it did not have good material, I would have had a major problem doing it for that length of time.

- Colm Wilkinson

Doing, Role, Had, Phantom

I grew up in a very musical family, but music was not encouraged as a career. It was a hobby.

- Colm Wilkinson

Music, Career, Very, Hobby

I have made a career out of my hobby, which is an incredibly fortunate position to be in, but you have to have the passion. Even today, I will go down to the studio and start singing for what I think is 10 minutes, and I look at the clock, and it's been two hours.

- Colm Wilkinson

Career, Been, Studio, Hobby

My mom was sort of involved in amateur dramatics like Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, and played the violin. My dad played banjo and piano and sang as well, so there was all this music in my childhood.

- Colm Wilkinson

Childhood, Violin, Gilbert, Banjo

As I tell my children, the first thing is always health. Get sleep, don't party, don't do drugs or drink. If your body is right, then you will be right, and if your body is wrong, you will be wrong. Live like a Buddhist monk!

- Colm Wilkinson

Tell, Your Body, Your, The First Thing

You pray for your enemies.

- Colm Wilkinson

You, Pray For, Your, Enemies

I listen to all kinds of music myself; it can range from practically anything: Opera, Jazz, to Blues, good Pop, just about anything.

- Colm Wilkinson

Myself, Opera, Jazz, Blues

You see some people on stage today, and they have these huge ear monitors.

- Colm Wilkinson

See, Some, Stage, Ear

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