Edward Herrmann Quotes

Powerful Edward Herrmann for Daily Growth

About Edward Herrmann

Edward Herrmann (July 24, 1943 – December 31, 2014) was an accomplished American actor, known for his versatility in both stage and screen performances. Born in Washington D.C., he grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he developed a love for theater while attending Greenwich High School. Herrmann's acting career began at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey, where he worked alongside renowned director John Houseman. His Broadway debut was in 1965 with "A Shoemaker's Holiday." However, it was his portrayal of Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1980 television film "Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years" that catapulted him to prominence. Throughout his career, Herrmann appeared in numerous films, including "Ghostbusters," "The Lost Boys," "Richie Rich," and "The Great Outdoors." His television work was equally prolific, with memorable roles in shows like "The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd," "Roswell," and "The Practice." Herrmann was also a mainstay of the American Shakespeare Company, performing in many of their productions. Notably, he played Jacques in the 1980 Broadway production of "As You Like It" and portrayed the title role in a 2003 production of "King Lear" at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. In his personal life, Herrmann married actress Jean Smart in 1987, with whom he had two children. He was also a dedicated family man, frequently crediting his wife and children for providing him with balance and joy outside of his acting career. Edward Herrmann passed away on December 31, 2014, due to brain cancer. His legacy continues to inspire actors and audiences alike with his exceptional range, commitment to character development, and unwavering love for the craft of acting.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is not a 'rehearsal.' This is it."

This quote emphasizes the importance of living in the present, as there are no do-overs or second chances in life. Every moment we experience is a part of our real and only existence. It encourages us to fully engage with our lives, rather than viewing it as a practice run or preparation for something else. This quote serves as a reminder that we should make the most of each day and not waste time on idle thoughts or missed opportunities.


"Art teaches us something about ourselves."

Edward Herrmann's quote emphasizes that artistic endeavors serve as a mirror, reflecting aspects of our own psyche, emotions, and perspectives. Through the creation or appreciation of art, we gain self-awareness and insight into our inner selves, fostering personal growth and empathy.


"Theater, to me, is life, and I live for it."

Edward Herrmann viewed theater not merely as an art form but as a reflection of life itself. For him, the passion and energy poured into the craft of acting mirrored his personal existence, making the stage his primary source of living and experiencing life at its fullest.


"There's something about being on stage that's so exciting."

This quote emphasizes the exhilaration, the thrill, and the unique charm associated with performing live on a stage. For actors like Edward Herrmann, the stage offers an environment that sparks excitement, possibly due to the immediacy of audience interaction, the shared energy, or the raw passion that is exchanged between performers and spectators in real-time. It serves as a reminder of the captivating allure of live theater and its powerful impact on both those who create and those who witness art.


"I love playing characters who are somewhat larger than life."

This quote by Edward Herrmann implies a preference for portraying characters that are exaggerated or more vibrant than ordinary people, offering a more dynamic and engaging experience to the audience. Such characters are often memorable and captivating due to their unique traits, which can make them "larger than life." The term could also suggest a character who has an outsized impact on the story or those around them.


Automobiles have always been part of my life, and I'm sure they always will be. What is it about them that moves me? The sound of a great engine, the unity and uniqueness of an automobile's engineering and coachwork, the history of the company and the car, and, of course, the sheer beauty of the thing.

- Edward Herrmann

Beauty, My Life, Been, Engineering

I think it's much richer and much more fun to be an artist than to be anything else. I can't think of a better life than acting.

- Edward Herrmann

Think, Artist, I Think, Better Life

The French suffered such catastrophic losses in the First World War. It really was the end of them as a great world power, although they, quote, 'won.'

- Edward Herrmann

War, Them, World War, World Power

Growing up as a kid in Detroit, way back, there was a movie station that would show old kinescope reproductions of old movies, and I remember seeing Bela Lugosi for the first time and being duly frightened out of my wits.

- Edward Herrmann

Kid, I Remember, Movie, Detroit

You ingest the automobile in the very air of Detroit. Or at least you did in the 1940s and 1950s.

- Edward Herrmann

Automobile, Very, 1940s, Detroit

I'm an actor. I'll take a lead if it's offered. The really good actors can fill a character, no matter what the role is. A good leading man is a character actor; a good character actor can be a leading man.

- Edward Herrmann

Good Character, Role, Fill, Leading Man

Actors are always grabbing each other on stage, looking in each other's eyes, making a moment so private, the audience doesn't know what they're doing.

- Edward Herrmann

Always, Other, Making, Grabbing

I thought cars were essential ingredients of life itself.

- Edward Herrmann

Thought, Itself, Were, Ingredients

How many times can you play an action character, or a quirky romantic? Every actor has to find his own way to make each character unique.

- Edward Herrmann

Play, Own, How Many Times, Quirky

I like sunny stories. You know, my favorite girls in the '50s were Debbie Reynolds, Doris Day, and Esther Williams.

- Edward Herrmann

Like, Stories, Were, Williams

I remember seeing the first Astaire-Rogers musical on television, and I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. It dawned on me that you don't have to wear a cowboy hat to be a man.

- Edward Herrmann

Cowboy, I Remember, Dawned, Be A Man

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