Elisabeth Shue Quotes

Powerful Elisabeth Shue for Daily Growth

About Elisabeth Shue

Elisabeth Judson Shue, born on October 6, 1963, in Wilmington, Delaware, is an accomplished American actress, producer, and former professional tennis player. She began her career in the entertainment industry with a minor role in the 1984 film 'The Karate Kid,' which catapulted her to fame. Shue's acting talent was further showcased in movies like 'Adventures in Babysitting' (1987), 'Cocktail' (1988) opposite Tom Cruise, and 'Back to the Future Part III' (1985). Her portrayal of a young woman traveling through time in the latter earned her a Golden Globe nomination. In addition to her acting career, Shue pursued tennis professionally during her teenage years. She reached the semifinals at the 1982 US Open as a junior and played collegiate tennis for Harvard University before retiring in 1987 due to an injury. Her personal life has been as dynamic as her career. Shue married musician Davis Guggenheim in 1994, with whom she had three children. The couple divorced in 2018. In the early 2000s, Shue took a break from acting to focus on raising her family. Returning to the screen in 2013, Shue has appeared in notable TV series such as 'Grace and Frankie' (2015-present) and 'The Handmaid's Tale' (2017-present), demonstrating her versatility as an actress. Elisabeth Shue continues to inspire through her acting, sports prowess, and dedication to family and career balance. Her quote, "I think you always have to take a risk. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all," encapsulates her fearless approach to life and career.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I think that when you love what you do and you're passionate about it, I don't think there is a job that isn't fun."

This quote suggests that when one has genuine passion for their work or profession, the job itself becomes enjoyable, making it less like work and more like an expression of personal fulfillment. Essentially, Elisabeth Shue emphasizes the importance of finding a career path that aligns with one's interests, values, and passions to ensure happiness and satisfaction in life.


"I never knew I wanted to act until I started doing it."

This quote by Elisabeth Shue highlights that sometimes, we may not know what our true passions are until we start pursuing them. It suggests that one's abilities and interests can only be fully discovered through hands-on experience and practice. Therefore, it is essential to try new things, as they might reveal hidden talents and aspirations.


"If you follow your passion, it will lead you to your purpose."

This quote suggests that when one pursues their deepest passions in life, they are naturally led towards their ultimate purpose or destination. Passion is a driving force that fuels our energy, creativity, and determination, guiding us to fulfilling our most meaningful roles and making a significant impact on the world. By following our passion, we can discover our unique pathway to success and personal growth.


"I don't want to be the prettiest girl in the room. I want to be the most interesting."

Elisabeth Shue's quote emphasizes her desire for individuality and depth over superficial beauty. She aspires to be memorable not just for her appearance, but for her character, experiences, and unique qualities that make her stand out. It speaks of a woman who values substance over style, and encourages us all to strive for authenticity rather than conforming to societal standards of attractiveness.


"You can do anything if you have confidence."

This quote by Elisabeth Shue emphasizes the power of self-confidence in overcoming challenges and achieving goals. When one has unwavering belief in their abilities, they are more likely to take on tasks that might otherwise seem daunting or impossible. Confidence allows individuals to persist through setbacks, to approach situations with determination, and ultimately, to succeed. In essence, confidence is a catalyst for personal growth and success.


I understand now that the vulnerability I've always felt is the greatest strength a person can have. You can't experience life without feeling life. What I've learned is that being vulnerable to somebody you love is not a weakness, it's a strength.

- Elisabeth Shue

Love, Strength, Experience, Love Is

What keeps this industry challenging as an actor is that you never know how something will turn out. The ups and downs are constant. You're never just smoothly sailing along. You're always going to be on loose footing. That's what ultimately now I expect and accept and that doesn't scare me as much.

- Elisabeth Shue

Scare, Constant, Industry, Smoothly

I feel like my first conversation with someone, I really get a good feeling about who that person is and mainly about how open they are.

- Elisabeth Shue

Feel, Like, About, Good Feeling

Sometimes when I read about my rebellion in print it sounds a little overrated.

- Elisabeth Shue

Rebellion, Print, Read, Overrated

Almost six years ago, before I was given the incredible opportunity to be in 'Leaving Las Vegas,' I was going through a long period of artistic confusion. I'd spent years doing work that hadn't pushed me enough, and I was beginning to wonder if I had any talent.

- Elisabeth Shue

Doing, Through, Las Vegas, Confusion

For many years, I decided not to do television because I have three children, but now my youngest is finally old enough to be in kindergarten. So I'm not feeling that kind of tug of not being with her as much.

- Elisabeth Shue

Television, Kindergarten, Tug

Everyone at 'CSI' has been so great to work with, and so great in terms of scheduling. There's a real feeling of family on that set... I've grown to have so much respect for the cast and crew - they're been together so many years and still care about the show and each other.

- Elisabeth Shue

Other, Been, So Many Years, Scheduling

After three major movies, I was like, 'Oh, I guess you're supposed to get a publicist?' Girls that are in the business now that are successful are more savvy.

- Elisabeth Shue

Business, More, Like, Savvy

People love to talk about how the '70s are the only time they made movies about characters, and adult movies, and complicated people. But in the '80s, they got away with some of those too.

- Elisabeth Shue

Love, Some, Away, Only Time

The movie I'm really excited about that I had really fun doing is 'Feed the Dog.' It's with Nat Wolff and Selena Gomez. It's really fun. It's raunchy, like 'Superbad' meets 'Risky Business,' kind of. I got to be a really fun character, an out-there Mrs. Robinson-type character. I get to seduce Nat.

- Elisabeth Shue

Doing, Movie, About, Risky

Like, that was weird in 'Hamlet 2,' because I played myself there, fully myself, but then I realized, 'Oh, I'm not playing myself. I'm some weird version of myself.' So as an actress, you're always playing something, I don't even know who I am, how could I become me? I don't know what that is.

- Elisabeth Shue

Some, How, Hamlet, Fully

After Leaving Las Vegas I did assume that things would get a lot easier than they've been. But it's just been a mirror of the way my career's been from the beginning, so for it to have changed would have been strange. My career has never been perfect.

- Elisabeth Shue

Mirror, Been, Las Vegas, Assume

I spent my whole life trying to play the games males play.

- Elisabeth Shue

Play, Trying, Spent, Males

Today I still feel like the most illiterate person ever to have roamed the campuses of Wellesley and Harvard, where I later transferred. I remain intimidated by all the books I haven't read, but over the years I've come to realize that being a student is a lifelong adventure.

- Elisabeth Shue

Student, Feel, Transferred, Harvard

I was on my own at Wellesley, surrounded by a lot of young women who were motivated and intellectually curious. I started to read because I was required to do so for class, but I soon found myself enjoying the seclusion of the library. I came to see reading as an important way to learn about people, including myself.

- Elisabeth Shue

Young, Own, Surrounded, Seclusion

It took a lot to get attention in my family. No wonder I'm an actress.

- Elisabeth Shue

Actress, Lot, Took, Wonder

My mom had started to go to work when I was nine or ten, so I was aware of women trying to find their own identities by working. But I was still influenced by men to such an extreme. I wanted to play their games and wanted to compete in their world and be like them.

- Elisabeth Shue

Play, Compete, Nine, Extreme

The darker, more complex and emotional the part is, the easier it is for me. But I don't take any of that stuff home with me at the end of the day.

- Elisabeth Shue

Emotional, More, Part, Darker

I was a complete unknown when I did 'Karate Kid.' I'd just done a pilot for a TV show called 'Call to Glory.' And I sat down with John Avildsen and brought still pictures from the show. I brought pictures! At that point, I would've been happy to be in a dog-food commercial.

- Elisabeth Shue

Commercial, Been, TV, Complete

Every film is a crapshoot. It's a mystery when a movie comes together. I've never been able to figure it out. I don't know how I make my choices. The only thing you can do is know there's something about a character that you really want to experience.

- Elisabeth Shue

Movie, Been, The Only Thing, Crapshoot

The hard thing about 'The Saint' was that my character was supposed to die, but then they reshot the ending based on tests and she lives. I created the character based on her dying - she would never have been as innocent otherwise. So I didn't have high expectations for that film.

- Elisabeth Shue

Innocent, Die, Been, Hard Thing

When you get into your 40s, it's all about lighting. It's hard. You have to face whether the way you look is your self-worth or not. Once you get beyond that, it's all about what's in your heart.

- Elisabeth Shue

Look, About, Your, Lighting

I have worked with another first-time director who was not that open, and it was probably one of the worst experiences I ever had, so my antennas are really out.

- Elisabeth Shue

Director, Another, Had, First-Time

Robert Kennedy was such an inspiring figure. His interest in politics seemed to come not from a desire for power, but from a need to help our society live up to its ideals.

- Elisabeth Shue

Politics, Desire, Figure, Kennedy

I see myself at a certain age as not being able to play the kind of parts that would keep me stimulated, and I can't imagine my life ending professionally the moment that I've got to go to the plastic surgeon and have my face rearranged.

- Elisabeth Shue

My Life, Play, Stimulated, Surgeon

I want to be involved with young people in some way. Teenagers. Because that's the most vulnerable time. I have a fantasy of becoming a teacher one day.

- Elisabeth Shue

Fantasy, Some, Becoming, Vulnerable

I try really hard to give my kids as much independence as I can, caring mostly about their character: Are they kind? Generous? Do they work hard?

- Elisabeth Shue

Work Hard, Give, Mostly, Generous

As the only girl growing up among three brothers, I was always afraid of being excluded. If there was a game to be played, a sport to be learned, a competition to join, I was on my feet and ready. I didn't spend much time alone for fear that I'd miss out.

- Elisabeth Shue

Game, Feet, Brothers, Miss

I really love 'Soapdish.' I wish 'Soapdish' had more of a moment because I felt that that is a really strong, funny movie. Kevin Kline is hilarious in that movie.

- Elisabeth Shue

Love, Strong, Funny Movie, Kevin

I don't think 'Cocktail' was a perfect critical success, but it touched a vein in our culture.

- Elisabeth Shue

Think, Perfect, Touched, Vein

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