Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Quotes

Powerful Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. for Daily Growth

About Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

Douglas Elton Fairbanks, Jr., was born on December 9, 1909, in Los Angeles, California, to parents Douglas Fairbanks Sr. (the 'King of Hollywood Silent Films') and Anna Bethuel Olcott. Growing up amidst the glamour of Tinsel Town, Fairbanks, Jr. was destined for a life in show business. He made his film debut at age six and continued to appear in minor roles until 1930 when he starred in 'The Mystery of the Airmail'. However, it was his role as Tony in the swashbuckler 'The Three Musketeers' (1935) that catapulted him into stardom. His film career spanned four decades, with notable performances in 'Song of Freedom' (1936), 'Gunga Din' (1939), and 'Hell's Angels' (1930). Apart from acting, Fairbanks, Jr. was also a decorated naval officer during World War II. He served in the South Pacific as a Lieutenant Commander on a submarine chaser and received several honors for his service, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. In 1949, he married Joan Crawford and adopted her two children from a previous marriage. Despite their divorce in 1956, they remained close friends until their deaths. Known for his charm and charisma, Fairbanks, Jr. was quoted saying, "I never wanted to be a matinee idol; I wanted to be a movie star." He passed away on May 7, 2000, at the age of 90, leaving behind an indelible mark on the golden era of Hollywood. His legacy continues to inspire generations of actors and film enthusiasts alike.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The first wealth is health."

The quote emphasizes that good health is a prerequisite for acquiring any other form of wealth, be it financial, emotional, or spiritual. It implies that without health, one cannot fully enjoy or make the most out of their possessions, relationships, or personal achievements. In essence, health serves as the foundation for a fulfilling and prosperous life.

"Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!"

This quote by Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., implies that life offers abundant opportunities and experiences (the "banquet"), yet many people fail to seize these chances due to fear, hesitation, or lack of ambition, leaving them deprived ("starving to death"). It's a call to action, urging individuals to embrace life fully and eagerly pursue its possibilities.

"Love is the delusion that one woman differs from another."

This quote by Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. suggests that love can often cloud our judgment and make us believe that each individual we fall in love with is uniquely special and irreplaceable, when in reality, many of the qualities that attract us may be shared among different people. It's a humorous yet poignant observation on the human tendency to idealize those we love, emphasizing that while every person has their own distinct charm, there may be common elements that make them appealing.

"I don't believe in pessimism. It's absolutely foreign to me. I hope for the best and expect it."

This quote by Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. reflects an optimistic outlook on life, characterized by faith in positive outcomes and a rejection of negativity or pessimism. He hopes for the best and expects it to happen, which shows his confidence in the world and its potential for good. This mindset encourages one to maintain a hopeful attitude, foster resilience, and work towards achieving their goals with determination.

"Acting has become a means to an end—the end being living a full life."

This quote suggests that for Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., acting was not just a profession or a way to make a living, but rather a tool or medium to achieve a rich and fulfilling life. He implies that the process of acting provides personal growth, creativity, and perhaps joy, which in turn contribute to a more meaningful and satisfying existence overall. In essence, he sees his career as a means to live life to its fullest potential.

What has always been at the heart of film making was the value of a script. It was really the writer who could make or break a film. But as we all know, the writer has always been at the bottom of the creative heap.

- Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

Always, Making, Been, Heap

I will never forget the pleasure and instruction I derived from working with a true master of his art, such as Edward G. Robinson was - and is. Surely his record for versatility, studied characterization - ranging from modern colloquial to the classics - and artistic integrity is unsurpassed.

- Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

Integrity, Surely, Edward, Versatility

In my day, the only people who achieved real independence were my father, Mary Pickford and Charles Chaplin, who, with D. W. Griffith, formed United Artists. Other than that, everybody belonged to the big studios. They had no say in their own careers.

- Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

Big, Other, Everybody, Chaplin

My father and Mary Pickford were the reigning stars of not just Hollywood but of the world. Well, to bear my father's name was hard enough, but to work in pictures to boot was pretty foolhardy. In fact, my father was totally against it. He thought I should be off getting a good education and go into some safe profession.

- Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

Fact, Some, Hollywood, Good Education

I am not a socialite, though I seem to have got the reputation for being one. I have some very good friends who happen to be in so-called Society; but Society as such is a bore and holds no fascination for me.

- Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

Happen, Some, Very, So-Called

I was a shy, awkward sort of a boy and my father's frequent absences from home, along with my hero worship for him, made me even shyer.

- Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

Father, Shy, Made, Absences

Curiously enough, I was one of the first to have some say in Hollywood. By sheer accident, I had four successes in a row in the early 30's and, although I was still in my 20's, I demanded and received approval of cast, story and director. I don't know how I got away with it, but I did!

- Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

Some, Hollywood, Away, Row

I never tried to emulate my father. Anyone trying to do that would be a second-rate carbon copy.

- Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

Never, Tried, Would, Emulate

I had no particular desire to be a personality like my father, nor was I equipped to be one. I was determined to be my own man, although having the Fairbanks name did make it easier to get into an office to see someone.

- Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

Father, Own, Equipped, Determined

I never kissed my father until he was on his death bed.

- Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

Never, Bed, His, Kissed

I was only saying to the Queen the other day how I hate name dropping.

- Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

Queen, How, Other, Dropping

I've often accused my grandchildren of never having seen one of my films.

- Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

Never, Films, Having, Accused

If you really want to know someone, you must see their emotions off guard. That's how I know Joan Crawford could never have been cruel to her children. I really knew her, when she was still Billie, as she liked to be called in the early days. In a relationship as close as ours, I had the chance to see her in every kind of personal situation.

- Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

Been, Early Days, Joan, Cruel

The Joan Crawford that I've heard about in 'Mommie Dearest' is not the Joan Crawford I knew back when.

- Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

Knew, About, Dearest, Joan

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