Fredric March Quotes

Powerful Fredric March for Daily Growth

About Fredric March

Fredric March (January 9, 1897 – April 14, 1975), born Frederick Cuthbert Martinson in Racine, Wisconsin, was a renowned American stage and film actor, best known for his versatile roles that spanned various genres. His acting prowess earned him two Academy Awards, making him one of the few actors to win the honor in both lead and supporting categories. Raised in a middle-class family, March showed an early interest in drama. After graduating from Racine High School in 1915, he attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison but left without earning a degree. His passion for acting led him to enroll at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. March's career took off on Broadway during the 1920s, where he garnered critical acclaim for his performances in plays like "The Green Pastures" and "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." In 1930, he made his film debut in "The Royal Family of Broadway." Throughout the 1930s, March starred in several successful films, including "Les Misérables," "One Way Passage," and "A Star is Born." His portrayal of Norman Maine, a fading movie star in the latter film, earned him his first Academy Award for Best Actor. During World War II, March served as a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army and was involved in entertainment troupes that provided morale-boosting performances to soldiers. After the war, he returned to Hollywood and continued to act in films such as "The Best Years of Our Lives," for which he won his second Academy Award, this time for Best Supporting Actor. March's final years saw him focusing on stage roles, including a successful run as Atticus Finch in the Broadway production of "To Kill a Mockingbird." He passed away in 1975 at the age of 78 due to complications from gallbladder surgery. Quotes: - "Acting is not about being someone different. It's finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there." - "The actor who can't cry on cue has no business acting." - "I'm the kind of actor that's afraid to go out for a part unless I know I can play it better than the guy who's already playing it."

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful, and honor him accordingly."

This quote by Fredric March suggests that one should tolerate others' religious beliefs with the same degree of tolerance as they would show for a personal belief like their partner being beautiful. In other words, it's implying that we should acknowledge and respect the importance of other people's faiths without necessarily agreeing or understanding them deeply. It is an observation on the human tendency to appreciate subjective aspects such as beauty in others, yet still have room for different beliefs and opinions.


"You can't be a good actor if you don't respect all actors."

This quote suggests that to be a good actor, one should have respect for all other actors. Respect in this context implies understanding, appreciation, and empathy towards fellow performers. This sentiment underscores the belief that every actor brings unique talents, experiences, and perspectives to their craft, and these diverse contributions enrich the art of acting as a whole. By fostering a collaborative spirit and recognizing the value in each individual's artistic journey, actors can grow, learn, and ultimately, deliver more authentic and compelling performances.


"The stage is the only place where an individual can make his own rules."

This quote emphasizes the unique freedom and autonomy that acting on stage provides. For an actor, the stage is a space where they can express themselves without limitations or restrictions imposed by society or conventional norms. It's a platform for them to create their own identity, craft characters, and shape performances according to their individuality and artistic vision. This self-expression and rule-making are essential aspects of being an artist, and the stage offers a venue where these creative liberties can flourish.


"I always feel that acting is a very lonely profession and one should try to avoid loneliness as much as possible, for it is not conducive to good work."

This quote by Fredric March emphasizes that acting, despite being a social profession in the public eye, can often feel isolating and solitary. This loneliness can negatively impact an actor's performance and overall mental well-being. To counteract this, it is essential for actors to prioritize connections with others, foster relationships, and minimize feelings of isolation in order to maintain a high level of creativity and productivity.


"It's an actor's duty to be as normal as possible and give the audience something to dream about."

This quote by Fredric March suggests that actors should strive for authenticity in their performances, aiming to portray characters that are believable and relatable, yet offering audiences an escape into fantasy or dreams through the vividness of those performances. Essentially, he's saying that actors have a responsibility to ground their roles in reality while still providing viewers with something imaginative and captivating.


An actor has no more right to be temperamental than a bank clerk.

- Fredric March

Bank, Actor, Temperamental, Clerk

Stardom is just an uneasy seat on top of a tricky toboggan. Being a star is merely perching at the head of the downgrade. A competent featured player can last a lifetime. A star, a year or two. There's all that agony of finding suitable stories, keeping in character, maintaining illusion.

- Fredric March

Year, Lifetime, Featured, Maintaining

I liked the name Frederick Bickel and I wish now I had left it as it was. After all, Theodore Bikel, whose name was similar though spelled differently, didn't change his, and he did all right.

- Fredric March

Wish, Had, Liked, Theodore

It has been my experience that work on the screen clarifies stage portrayals and vice versa. You learn to make your face express more in making movies, and in working for the theater you have a sense of greater freedom.

- Fredric March

Been, Screen, Making Movies, Vice Versa

Keep interested in others; keep interested in the wide and wonderful world. Then in a spiritual sense you will always be young.

- Fredric March

Young, Will, Always, Wide

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