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Fay Wray Quotes

Powerful Fay Wray for Daily Growth

About Fay Wray

Fay Wray (September 15, 1907 – August 8, 2004) was an influential Canadian-American actress who gained international fame as the scream queen in the iconic movie "King Kong" (1933). Born in Neasden, London, England to Jewish parents who were immigrants from Poland and Russia, Wray spent her early years in Vancouver, British Columbia. Wray's interest in acting was sparked at a young age, and she began her career on stage with the Vancouver Little Theatre. In 1925, she moved to Hollywood to pursue her dreams. Initially struggling to find work due to her ethnicity, Wray eventually landed roles in various movies such as "Trader Horn" (1931) and "The Mystery of the Wax Museum" (1933). However, it was her portrayal of Ann Darrow in "King Kong" that catapulted Wray to stardom. The film's groundbreaking special effects and Wray's convincing performance as a terrified heroine made the movie an enduring classic. Despite her fame, Wray continued to work steadily throughout the 1930s and '40s in films like "The Vampire Bat" (1933), "Son of Kong" (1933), and "Tarzan and His Mate" (1934). Wray married actor Robert Riskin, the screenwriter for "King Kong," in 1939. They had two children together but divorced in 1945. Throughout her life, Wray remained humble about her accomplishments and was known for her kindness and grace. In 1968, she published a memoir titled "On the Trail of King Kong: An Autobiography." Wray continued to act until the early 1970s but found a new passion in art later in life. She spent her retirement years painting and traveling. Fay Wray passed away in 2004 at the age of 96, leaving behind an indelible mark on Hollywood history as one of its most iconic scream queens. Her legacy lives on, with "King Kong" still considered a cinematic masterpiece and a cultural touchstone.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"King Kong wasn't my ape, he was my God."

This quote suggests that Fay Wray, the actress who played the leading role in the 1933 film King Kong, saw the giant ape not as just a fictional character or co-star, but as a larger-than-life deity. The intensity of her performance and her profound emotional connection to Kong reflect the awe and reverence she felt towards this iconic cinematic creation, which transcended the typical actor-character relationship. This quote also underscores the cultural impact of King Kong on audiences at the time, demonstrating its ability to evoke deep, powerful feelings in those who watched it.

"I didn't realize how large an effect King Kong would have on my life."

This quote by Fay Wray reflects her surprise at the enduring impact that her role in "King Kong" had on her personal and professional life. Despite not fully comprehending its magnitude during the movie's creation, the iconic film and her character became synonymous with cinematic history, leaving a lasting impression on audiences and solidifying Fay Wray as a legendary actress associated with the giant ape and the adventure that transcended generations.

"I was so frightened I could hardly talk. I could only scream."

This quote conveys Fay Wray's intense fear during her role in the iconic film "King Kong," where she played the protagonist. Her inability to speak coherently, but rather just scream, underscores the raw, visceral terror she experienced in the movie. It highlights the powerful impact of fear and its ability to silence and overwhelm us when faced with extraordinary circumstances.

"I think it's the most exciting picture ever made." - Regarding King Kong (1933)

Fay Wray, the actress who played the iconic character Ann Darrow in the 1933 film "King Kong," found the movie to be the most exhilarating ever made. This quote implies that the experience of being part of this groundbreaking film was incredibly thrilling and extraordinary for her, likely due to its pioneering special effects, unique storyline, and enduring cultural impact. The grandeur, adventure, romance, and raw emotion captured in "King Kong" still resonates with audiences today, making it a timeless classic that continues to entertain and inspire.

"King Kong was the love of my life."

This quote reveals a deep, personal connection that Fay Wray felt towards her character "Ann Darrow" in the film King Kong. Beyond the fictional portrayal, it suggests a profound emotional bond developed between Fay and her character's iconic gorilla co-star, symbolized by the character of Kong. This statement implies a longing for, or unrequited love for, something larger than life, fantastical, and powerful, representing both the experience of playing that role and the enduring impact it had on her life.

For the purposes of the play, it was perfect to be able to use that and the stresses and strains that there were. At the end of the play, the mother realizes the terrible things she had done.

- Fay Wray

Play, Perfect, Use, Stresses

So I was asked to do horror film after horror film, a series of about five, after that, and some of those were a little too gruesome. I wasn't too comfortable all the time in those. I didn't really care for them.

- Fay Wray

Some, Horror, About, Gruesome

When it was over my daughter said, 'Oh, I felt so sorry for him - he didn't want to hurt you, he liked you.' That was Victoria. When you visualize him up there on top of the Empire State Building, you do feel sorry for him.

- Fay Wray

Him, Feel, Empire State, Hurt

Well, the Empire State was about 40' high in the studio. King Kong was a little model about 2' high, and the scenery that he worked in was in proportion to his size.

- Fay Wray

King, Studio, Proportion, Empire State

She wanted us to feel we were above everyone in the town. She really did tell us that we were related to Chief Justice John Marshall, and that may have been true. I never did bother to find out.

- Fay Wray

Feel, Tell, Been, Chief Justice

Crawford washed her hands a lot. She washed her arms all the way up past her elbows. She just couldn't get enough done in that direction. She was compulsive about being clean, clean, clean!

- Fay Wray

Past, Hands, Washed, Compulsive

He was just trying to tease me - I knew that later - but he said he'd have to leave because it wasn't fair to have anyone in the room who was going to make fun of what he had to say. He had a good sense of humor, really.

- Fay Wray

Sense Of Humor, Good Sense, Tease

I went to Washington to ask for a little residual payment for the people who had written films in the early, early days, people who never got any residuals on tapes or anything at all.

- Fay Wray

Films, Tapes, Early Days, Residual

It was so satisfying for me - a great reward, just to see it done well. And it was beautifully directed by my daughter Susan Riskin. Imagine, a play about my mother directed by my daughter?!

- Fay Wray

Play, Reward, Great Reward, Satisfying

When we were making KONG, I went into the sound room and made an aria of horror sounds. I was in charge of it; there was no one there to listen to me. I was totally in charge of what I wanted to do.

- Fay Wray

Horror, Making, Charge, Aria

Actually, the camera was never overhead at any time. It was always a side view of me. Subsequently, after the picture was released, I saw some scenes from above and my clothes being pulled-and I think that was added later.

- Fay Wray

Some, I Think, Added, Subsequently

I don't know why Sinclair Lewis fell in love with me. He didn't get even the slightest response from me. But his letters were lovely. And the poems he wrote me were lovely. I used some of them in my book.

- Fay Wray

Love, Book, Some, Letters

Cary Grant and I were doing a play in New York. He had a crush on me. Whenever we went to a party, he would always sit on the floor beside me. I thought that was kind of beautiful, like that's where he wanted to be.

- Fay Wray

Thought, Play, Doing, Beside

That was' one time when my technique absolutely deserted me, I must admit. There was a wax face that he had created himself to cover his own ugliness. I was in his clutches and I had to hit him in the face.

- Fay Wray

Own, Had, Technique, Deserted

Lillian Gish thought that there should be a cabinet position for the arts and I think she was right. I think she was right.

- Fay Wray

Think, She, I Think, Cabinet

Cary Grant was wonderful to work with on stage. He would move downstage, so that as he looked at me the audience had to look at me, too. He knew a lot about the theater and how to move around. He was very secure.

- Fay Wray

Very, About, Had, None

Paul Lucas had a particularly amusing accent, so I chuckled. That was terrible; I shouldn't have done that, but he took it too big. He got up and said he couldn't work with people who laughed at him!

- Fay Wray

Big, Had, Lucas, Amusing

My next book is Scene by Scene: as Seen by Fay Wray. It'll be about different incidents. Just my feelings about quite a few people. Attitudes. My thoughts about the universe and simple things like that.

- Fay Wray

Thoughts, Next, Like, Feelings

There were shots of Kong pulling at my clothes, but only in horizontal and never from above. Never from above.

- Fay Wray

Never, Pulling, Were, Horizontal

When the picture was finished, they took me into the sound room and then I screamed more for about five minutes just steady screaming, and then they'd cut that in and add it.

- Fay Wray

Add, Cut, Took, Screaming

I think to have done 'Titanic' would have been a tortuous experience altogether. I feel good about where my life is, now. I feel free and joyous and happy and more liberated than I have ever been.

- Fay Wray

My Life, Been, I Think, Titanic

My children didn't when they were little because I thought that they had to be of a certain age. I hoped they liked me well enough not to want to see me in that sort of a spot.

- Fay Wray

Thought, Want, Hoped, Well Enough

Only in your imagination can you revise.

- Fay Wray

Imagination, Only, Your, Revise

I thought I saw him for what he was-or what I thought he was. And he was talented, no doubt about that. But, he thought his talent was based on misery and that if he became happy it would just go. He believed that.

- Fay Wray

Thought, Based, Became, Believed

As far as advice, that will be in my next book, my next collection. I certainly never like to instruct anyone, but just say as I feel. That's the same as advice, isn't it?

- Fay Wray

Will, Next, Certainly, As Far As

The producers who wanted me to do it liked me and trusted me, and more than one scene was only one take, because I'd plan ahead what I thought would be appropriate for that scene-so one take was enough.

- Fay Wray

Thought, More, Appropriate, Trusted

They were very considerate, I must say. Every time I felt I was about to slip out of these fingers and would yell for help, they'd let me down and re-organize things.

- Fay Wray

Very, About, Felt, Slip

I would say the secret is to be enthusiastic about everything that comes into your life. To care, to care about people. To be excited about everything that comes close to you. I love to read. And I love to write, mostly.

- Fay Wray

Love, Mostly, Read, Enthusiastic

Sometimes I worked with just a background of a rock or a tree or black velvet, and just had to imagine the whole thing.

- Fay Wray

Tree, Sometimes, Imagine, Velvet

It was good for us, I suppose. Those kinds of times produce qualities in us that make us better for having had them. My parents were not getting along. My mother was quite intolerant of friendships that were being developed.

- Fay Wray

Had, Friendships, Kinds, Qualities

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