D. B. Sweeney Quotes

Powerful D. B. Sweeney for Daily Growth

About D. B. Sweeney

Daniel Bernard "DB" Sweeney, born on July 14, 1961, in Carthage, Illinois, is an American actor and director renowned for his versatile roles in film, television, and theater. His acting career spans over four decades, making him one of the most recognized figures in the entertainment industry. Raised in Quincy, Illinois, Sweeney developed a passion for acting at a young age. He attended Southern Methodist University's Meadows School of the Arts but dropped out before graduation to pursue his acting career. His big break came when he was cast as Mark in the 1986 film 'The Lords of Discipline.' Sweeney gained wider recognition for his role as Jack Torrance's son Danny in Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining' (1980) and as Ray Donovan in 'Wolf (1994).' His other notable works include 'Carnivale,' 'Twin Peaks,' 'Street Kings,' and 'The Art of War.' In addition to acting, Sweeney has also directed several films and television shows. Throughout his career, Sweeney has been recognized for his commitment to the craft. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for 'Streetwise' (1984). His work in theater has also earned him recognition, including a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play for 'The Pillowman' (2005). Sweeney's influences are diverse, ranging from Marlon Brando and Dustin Hoffman to Samuel Beckett and Harold Pinter. He continues to push boundaries with his roles, bringing depth and complexity to each character he portrays. His enduring legacy in the entertainment industry is a testament to his talent, dedication, and versatility as an actor and director.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I think life is about being awake."

D.B. Sweeney's quote, "I think life is about being awake," suggests that living a fulfilled life requires an acute awareness of the present moment, emotions, thoughts, and experiences. In essence, it implies that being conscious, perceptive, and mindful contributes to a meaningful and rich existence. This consciousness can manifest in various aspects of life, including relationships, work, personal growth, and self-awareness. Essentially, Sweeney encourages us to fully engage with our lives, as opposed to going through the motions on autopilot, to maximize our experiences and personal development.

"A lot of my roles have been about taking care of others and I like that because it's a reflection of who I am."

This quote indicates that D.B. Sweeney often takes on roles in movies or characters that reflect his personal character, as he values caring for others. It suggests a strong sense of empathy and altruism, where he identifies with characters who prioritize the well-being of others over themselves. This quote is significant because it shows not only his acting choices but also a key aspect of his personality.

"Success is about how happy you are with yourself when you look in the mirror at night."

This quote suggests that success, rather than being defined solely by external achievements or recognition, lies in personal fulfillment and self-satisfaction. It encourages individuals to find contentment within themselves, to feel a sense of happiness and peace when they look back at their day and who they are. It's an invitation to prioritize inner well-being over material gains, recognizing that true success is achieved when we can accept ourselves fully and genuinely.

"If I don't get it right, I try and try again until I do."

This quote by D.B. Sweeney highlights the importance of persistence and resilience in achieving one's goals or mastering a skill. It suggests that failure is not an end but rather an opportunity to learn, adapt, and try again until success is attained. The message emphasizes the value of determination, perseverance, and self-improvement in overcoming obstacles and reaching personal aspirations.

"I think that acting for me has always been a way to express something inside of me that needs to come out."

This quote by D.B. Sweeney suggests that for him, acting is a form of self-expression, a means to bring forth and communicate feelings or emotions that are deeply personal and internal. It implies that he finds solace and release in the art of acting, using his performances as a conduit for his inner thoughts and experiences.

I'm so proud and honored to have been in 'Lonesome Dove' and 'Eight Men Out.' How come I'm not known for one of those?

- D. B. Sweeney

Proud, Come, Been, Lonesome

I had heard that Robert Duvall was interested in doing 'Lonesome Dove,' and he's one of those actors with whom I'd work on any project. So I tracked down the script and started to bug the producer, Dyson Lovell, to get in there.

- D. B. Sweeney

Project, Doing, Had, Lonesome

I'm a sucker for doing something fun. If somebody wants to pay me to learn how to fly a plane or be a better golfer, that certainly would be a plus - or if it's filming in Tahiti.

- D. B. Sweeney

Doing, Plane, Certainly, Sucker

The great thing for me about 'The Resurrection of Gavin Stone' is it's a throwback to the old fashioned Hollywood movie that you can watch with your family, has a message, and is funny and entertaining. They didn't call them faith-based movies; they just called them good movies.

- D. B. Sweeney

Hollywood, Movie, Great Thing

I try to have a normal life since I have an abnormal job.

- D. B. Sweeney

Try, Normal, Abnormal, Normal Life

If Gretzky was velvet, Ovechkin is electricity.

- D. B. Sweeney

Electricity, Gretzky, Velvet

Who needs MGM? Who needs any of these places?

- D. B. Sweeney

Places, Needs, Any, MGM

On a movie set, there's so much down time, adjusting the lighting. It gave me time to nap, call my friends, relax, work out. But with TV, there's no break time. None.

- D. B. Sweeney

Movie, TV, Set, Nap

When you're 47 years old and playing at a world-class level in the fastest sport, and you have zero percent body fat, you need to be brought down a peg as often as possible.

- D. B. Sweeney

Level, World-Class, Brought, Peg

To anybody who says to me, 'I'm in character,' I say, 'You should be in an asylum.' If you don't know that you're pretending, then you should really seek medical help. I don't have patience for that stuff.

- D. B. Sweeney

Medical, Pretending, Anybody, Asylum

It's especially gratifying to have done a film like 'Eight Men Out' because it's hard not to have fun when there are so many bats and balls around.

- D. B. Sweeney

Have Fun, Balls, Like, Gratifying

'It's a Wonderful Life' was a mainstream Hollywood movie about faith, redemption, religion, and it was rated G.

- D. B. Sweeney

Hollywood, Movie, Mainstream, Rated

I like hanging around the set and learning how people do things, how the set runs.

- D. B. Sweeney

How, Like, Set, Runs

I felt like the world of baseball in 1919 was much closer to what A-ball would be now - guys riding buses, there's no training staff, and there's a lot of paranoia.

- D. B. Sweeney

Riding, Like, Felt, Paranoia

In A-ball, you're either going to move up, or you're going to get released. That kind of paranoia played a lot into the players' mentality leading up to the events of 'Eight Men Out.'

- D. B. Sweeney

Kind, Going, Move, Paranoia

When I played sports, if you lose the game, and then you complain, that makes you a sore loser. That doesn't make you protester - that just makes you a whiner.

- D. B. Sweeney

Sports, Game, Lose, Sore

If you skate with an Olympic level skater, they make you so much better because you're skating behind them, and you're trying to imitate their stride and their stance. It's like having the world's greatest training wheels.

- D. B. Sweeney

Behind, Wheels, Olympic, Stride

I don't play the bass. I'm not in a band. I tried to think of ways I could touch base with the troops and support what we're doing.

- D. B. Sweeney

Play, Doing, Think, Base

When you play on a team, you learn that there will always be five guys you like, a bunch of guys who are OK, and five you despise. The trick to getting along in any system is not to worry about the five you despise.

- D. B. Sweeney

Worry, Play, Always, OK

I wanted to play this part: the goofy rock and roller who can't hang up his guitar when it's clear to everyone else that he should.

- D. B. Sweeney

Play, Hang, Everyone Else, Roller

I'm not one of these million-dollar actors. I have always been just a working actor. I probably work more than I would like to.

- D. B. Sweeney

Always, Like, Been, Working Actor

I got typecast early in my career as the guy who is very intense. Once you get into a certain mold, people see you that way, as much as it's disproved time and again.

- D. B. Sweeney

Career, Again, Very, Typecast

I think Ovechkin is everything the NHL needs.

- D. B. Sweeney

Think, Needs, I Think, NHL

I got to be good friends with Scott Hamilton.

- D. B. Sweeney

Good, Good Friends, Got, Scott

When you do a play, or even a movie, you have weeks to finesse your character. You really understand why they do what they do. In TV, you get new material weekly about your character.

- D. B. Sweeney

Play, New, TV, New Material

John Sayles is good. He's like a good thoroughbred owner - he leaves the trainers alone.

- D. B. Sweeney

Alone, Owner, Trainers, Thoroughbred

All these big corporations like Amazon, those places have great distribution arms, but they can't create content.

- D. B. Sweeney

Big, Like, Distribution, Corporations

I've been doing this for 33 years, and sometimes you make movies and nobody cares. But when people care, it's the greatest thing in the world - even when it's passionately against the title - because it's going to start a conversation.

- D. B. Sweeney

Doing, Against, Been, Conversation

Hire the best people, and trust what you hired them to do.

- D. B. Sweeney

Trust, Best, Hire, Hired

Why should a filmmaker turn over the irreplaceable asset, the movie, to a distribution center?

- D. B. Sweeney

Movie, Over, Irreplaceable, Distribution

I've seen people who stink, but the film editor shows them just where they didn't stink. But if you're empty and manipulative on stage, it's clear.

- D. B. Sweeney

Clear, Editor, Them, Stink

DeNiro did a good job playing a catcher in 'Bang the Drum Slowly,' but he's great in everything he does.

- D. B. Sweeney

Good, Catcher, Drum, Bang

Push your luck. If you see a pretty girl in a bar, say something.

- D. B. Sweeney

Bar, See, Pretty, Push

I think you have to do certain things in the pilot to get your network's attention - to break through... So maybe you push a little further in the first show.

- D. B. Sweeney

Think, Through, I Think, Push

You have to identify your shot and be 'Push your luck' ready for it.

- D. B. Sweeney

Luck, Ready, Identify, Push

I don't know; it's hard for me to understand people that want to get out there and protest on the first day we elect a new guy.

- D. B. Sweeney

New, Want, Understand, Elect

I grew up Catholic, so the more non-denominational Christian experience was a new experience for me.

- D. B. Sweeney

Christian, New, More, Catholic

I had cooked a lot in restaurants, in Rocky Point and on golf courses on Long Island, and my mother said, 'Be a chef,' and my dad said, 'Be a lawyer.' But instead, I auditioned for N.Y.U.'s Tisch School of the Arts.

- D. B. Sweeney

Long Island, Had, Dad, Lawyer

Romantic comedies are particularly hard to make.

- D. B. Sweeney

Romantic Comedies, Comedies

You get a lot of speeding tickets, and you say, 'I'm so unlucky!' No, you're not. You're speeding. Slow down.

- D. B. Sweeney

Speeding, Lot, Tickets, Unlucky

Joe Jackson was a tragic figure. He was a serene country boy who signed a confession he couldn't read. He was illiterate.

- D. B. Sweeney

Country, Country Boy, Joe, Tragic

What I've learned is sometimes it's good not to have all the same actions and have all the same takes. The variety you provide gives the director later on in post-production the ability to construct a more interesting performance as he puts the movie together.

- D. B. Sweeney

Sometimes, Movie, Construct, Post-Production

I was taking hitting clinics every chance I got. I really worked on it. It was just fun to be given that invitation from the director to make the baseball as good as we can.

- D. B. Sweeney

Chance, Given, Clinics, Every Chance

As far as actors go, you're not going to find many ballplayers better than me.

- D. B. Sweeney

Better, Going, Far, As Far As

I thought it's very funny that I ended up as a voiceover guy because when I started out as an actor, I had a very strong Long Island accent.

- D. B. Sweeney

Strong, Long Island, Very, Accent

I think Joe Jackson is a great American figure. In my opinion, he became a scapegoat.

- D. B. Sweeney

Think, Joe, Became, Scapegoat

If you learn the craft, you can make a movie and get by with tricks.

- D. B. Sweeney

Learn, Movie, Get, Tricks

The problem with most Hollywood movies is they don't give the director enough control.

- D. B. Sweeney

Movies, Give, Most, The Problem With

I try to keep a low profile.

- D. B. Sweeney

Try, Low, Keep, Profile

My sister Kathleen - one year older - was the school's acting legend. Her thing was getting all the parts, even Tiresias. And I wasn't going to mess with that.

- D. B. Sweeney

Legend, Year, Going, Sister

I believe in luck. My luck's real streaky.

- D. B. Sweeney

Luck, Believe, Real, I Believe In

A producer wouldn't think of making a film about ballet dancers without using real dancers, but they will cast actors who have never held a bat in baseball films.

- D. B. Sweeney

Think, Making, Films, Producer

Whether or not your person wins or loses, give him a chance.

- D. B. Sweeney

Chance, Give, Wins, Loses

I think it's particularly stupid that filmmakers have traditionally said, 'Yeah, I like baseball, but the movie's not going to be about the intricacies of the game.' I mean, you wouldn't cast an overweight guy with stubble if you were doing a ballet film.

- D. B. Sweeney

Stupid, Game, Doing, Filmmakers

Fifty-million-dollar movies gobble up the medium movies. A lot of people aren't working in Hollywood because of this.

- D. B. Sweeney

Movies, Hollywood, Lot, Medium

I don't like the NFL, where I think it's a problem: some guy scores a touchdown, now he's got some kind of dance that he planned. To me, I just want to change the channel.

- D. B. Sweeney

Think, Some, I Think, NFL

I had a teacher senior year in high school. He was a theater teacher, and he basically was a little bit like 'High School Musical.' He kind of encouraged the jocks to get involved with the plays. I did it as kind of a senior year lark.

- D. B. Sweeney

Year, Had, Bit, Senior

I bat righty.

- D. B. Sweeney

Bat

What really makes it fun for an actor is when the script is good.

- D. B. Sweeney

Good, Actor, Makes, Script

I would love to do another hockey movie. There are a lot of people in Hollywood looking for the right hockey script.

- D. B. Sweeney

Love, Hockey, Hollywood, Script

You always love to fantasize you'll get your dream role.

- D. B. Sweeney

Love, Always, Fantasize, Your Dream

I didn't know anybody in show business, and I never thought it was the path I'd go down. I was hoping it was sports, like so many kids.

- D. B. Sweeney

Business, Sports, Thought, Hoping

With the Red Sox, you have more of a literary interest in it. You know they're going to lose; you're just interested in how the plot is going to unfold.

- D. B. Sweeney

More, Going, Literary, Red Sox

There's nobility in hard work, traditional values.

- D. B. Sweeney

Work, Nobility, Traditional

I really like the way Fox handles their shows.

- D. B. Sweeney

Like, Shows, Really, Fox

The actors in 'Eight Men Out' really know how to play, and the background athletes are all professionals.

- D. B. Sweeney

Play, Professionals, Really, Athletes

I have never been one of those actors who say, 'Oh, my character wouldn't do this,' or 'My character never wears an orange shirt,' or any of the number of inane things I've heard on movie sets throughout my career.

- D. B. Sweeney

Career, Movie, Been, Throughout

If I'm not going to bet on myself, why would anyone else bet on me.

- D. B. Sweeney

Going, Would, Anyone, Bet

There's no doubt my having been a ballplayer made me feel a special sense of responsibility to Joe Jackson's life.

- D. B. Sweeney

Been, Joe, Having, Ballplayer

If I go to a baseball game, I hear 'Shoeless Joe,' but otherwise, I hear 'toe pick' five times a day. No matter how many more movies I make, that'll be on my gravestone.

- D. B. Sweeney

Game, Joe, Otherwise, Baseball

I'm a huge baseball fan and follow it very closely.

- D. B. Sweeney

Fan, Very, Closely, Baseball

I know some black actresses who have to wait every 19 films for a role. I can be cast in practically every one as a young white male.

- D. B. Sweeney

Wait, Some, Films, Male

Any time I get to work a home game, it's awesome.

- D. B. Sweeney

Work, Game, Get, Awesome

Skating is tough to pick up when you are a grown up.

- D. B. Sweeney

Grown, Pick, Up, Skating

The more I learned about Shoeless Joe, the more I felt he was maligned.

- D. B. Sweeney

More, Joe, Learned, Maligned

I'm sure that President Trump will do plenty of things that people don't like, plenty of things people do like, and the people who don't like it, at that point, certainly take advantage of your rights and protest it - and try to seek change or do whatever you want.

- D. B. Sweeney

Point, Trump, Your, Seek

I didn't want people to think I'm just in the movies, where you make money and wait around for 13 hours before you get to do 20 minutes of work.

- D. B. Sweeney

Think, Wait, Hours, Minutes

It took me a long time to realize you don't choose what you're famous for.

- D. B. Sweeney

Me, Long Time, Took, Famous

Say something personal, not from a publicist.

- D. B. Sweeney

Personal, Say, Something, Publicist

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