Dabney Coleman Quotes

Powerful Dabney Coleman for Daily Growth

About Dabney Coleman

Dabney Coleman (born November 15, 1932) is an acclaimed American actor renowned for his versatile performances in film, television, and theatre. Born in Austin, Texas, Coleman developed a passion for acting at a young age, participating in school plays and local productions. He honed his craft at the University of Texas before moving to New York City to pursue a career on Broadway. Coleman's big break came in 1962 when he was cast in the Tony Award-winning play "Any Wednesday." This led to roles in several successful Broadway productions, including "A Free Man of Orange" and "The Prisoner of Second Avenue." In 1967, Coleman transitioned to television, landing a recurring role on the critically acclaimed series "Mission: Impossible." Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Coleman became a household name with memorable performances in films such as "Nashville" (1975), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, "The Onion Field" (1979), and "9 to 5" (1980). His career reached new heights with his role as J.R. Ewing's nemesis, Jefferson 'Jock' Ewing, on the hit television series "Dallas," a part he played from 1983 to 1991. In addition to his acting career, Coleman is also an accomplished director and producer. He has directed episodes of various television series, including "Dallas" and "Knots Landing." His producing credits include the films "The Rookies" (1980) and "The Last Married Couple in America" (1980). Today, Dabney Coleman continues to act in film and television, leaving a lasting impact on the entertainment industry with his powerful performances and enduring legacy.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Success is a journey, not a destination."

This quote by Dabney Coleman suggests that success is not a fixed point to be achieved, but rather a continuous process or journey. It implies that the pursuit of success should be enjoyed for its own sake, as it provides opportunities for personal growth and learning. The destination (success) may never truly arrive, but the journey along the way is full of experiences that contribute to our character and fulfillment in life.

"The harder I work, the luckier I get."

This quote emphasizes the idea that success is often a result of hard work, not just sheer luck. In other words, the more effort one puts into their endeavors, the greater their chances of achieving success become, as they increase their skill set, knowledge, and opportunities through consistent dedication and perseverance. Essentially, the phrase suggests that "luck" or good fortune can be cultivated through diligent work and persistent effort.

"Life's like a movie, write your own ending."

The quote by Dabney Coleman encourages personal empowerment and self-direction in life. By likening life to a movie, he suggests that each individual has the ability to control their own narrative, crafting their own unique journey with the choices they make. This interpretation underscores the importance of taking charge of one's destiny, rather than passively accepting circumstances as they unfold. Embracing this perspective allows individuals to seize opportunities and create a fulfilling ending to their personal story.

"The secret of my success is that we've gone to exceptional lengths to hire truly nice people."

This quote emphasizes the importance of hiring individuals with a positive attitude, kindness, and good character in achieving professional success. The "exceptional lengths" Coleman mentions suggest a deliberate, thoughtful approach to team-building, where the focus is not just on technical skills but also on interpersonal qualities. A team of nice people creates a pleasant work environment, fosters trust and cooperation, and ultimately contributes to overall success because they collaborate effectively, respect each other, and support one another in their endeavors.

"You're only as good as the people you surround yourself with."

This quote emphasizes the idea that one's personal growth, success, and overall quality can significantly depend on the caliber of the individuals they associate with. It suggests that the company we keep has a substantial impact on shaping our character, abilities, and mindset. By surrounding ourselves with competent, inspiring, and positive people, we are more likely to elevate ourselves, learn from them, and reach our full potential. Conversely, if we surround ourselves with negative or unambitious individuals, it may hinder our personal growth and success.

The next night I got on an airplane, and flew to New York and looked into acting schools. Four or five acting schools. One of which was the Neighborhood Playhouse, which I started at six months there after.

- Dabney Coleman

New, Next, Which, Airplane

I work with Sally and I can see Sally doing that. She is very aggressive. Very fun loving and charming... and pushy in a very competitive way and a very healthy way and a very good actress.

- Dabney Coleman

Doing, Actress, Very, Aggressive

But movies as much as anything developed what I thought was right and wrong, what was honorable, what wasn't, what was funny what wasn't... what had some depth to it, what didn't.

- Dabney Coleman

Thought, Some, Had, Honorable

I think that you get something for your acting from almost anything you do.

- Dabney Coleman

Think, I Think, Almost, Almost Anything

I didn't have any extra money. But I can't say that I had a hard early career.

- Dabney Coleman

Money, Career, Say, Extra

I think is very beneficial to relax yourself so that when you are doing it you are not staggering for lines and your concentration is not on what I am going to say - but the scene itself, the character that you are talking to.

- Dabney Coleman

Doing, Think, Very, Staggering

But it was this tough little character part that I was playing, a very funny little guy that I invented over a weekend, because I realized I was not contributing to the humor of this thing. And I had to do something.

- Dabney Coleman

Over, Part, Very, Invented

I was very lucky in as much as I played a lot of tennis.

- Dabney Coleman

Lucky, Very, Lot, Tennis

But I did make some money doing commercials. I did fourteen in one year.

- Dabney Coleman

Money, Doing, Some, Fourteen

To tell you the truth I am hard put to think of anyone who's career was affected significantly by making all those phone calls and I must be wrong. I must be wrong! Because it has just got to pay off!

- Dabney Coleman

Career, Tell, Got, Calls

There is something about New York City that in and of itself is so theatrical hat I use to think... I use to feel when I walked out of my apartment on the way to school or anywhere that I was walking out on stage.

- Dabney Coleman

City, Use, Theatrical, Apartment

The career doesn't get any easier. A career stays tough.

- Dabney Coleman

Career, Easier, Get, Stays

I did two or three plays every summer.

- Dabney Coleman

Two, Three, Plays, Summer

I have a theory about that, if you have to say something, if you have encourage for one second a prospective acting student - he should not go in to acting.

- Dabney Coleman

Student, Go, About, Theory

I have worked with some great directors.

- Dabney Coleman

Great, Some, Worked, Directors

I'm convinced that the place, if you have your druthers, to go to have that experience is New York City.

- Dabney Coleman

City, New, Go, New York City

But it is a hard, it's a hard profession teaching acting.

- Dabney Coleman

Acting, Hard, Profession, Teaching

No not pigeon holed me as an actor, or as a character, or as to what I could do - but what I would do... and the fact is the things you don't do are almost as important as as the things that you do.

- Dabney Coleman

Fact, Could, Almost, Pigeon

Well Sid Pollack was... He was I would say probably, probably the most influential on me.

- Dabney Coleman

Me, Most, Would, Influential

When I go to where I was getting excellent parts in movies I may have taken a few too soon, too anxious to go back to work and to anxious to make another film and to succeed more.

- Dabney Coleman

Work, Excellent, May, Anxious

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