Griffin Dunne Quotes

Powerful Griffin Dunne for Daily Growth

About Griffin Dunne

Griffin Dunne is an American actor, director, and screenwriter, born on December 8, 1955, in New York City, into a family of artists. His mother, Ellen Griffin, was an actress, and his father, John Dunne, was a television producer. Raised in Manhattan's Upper East Side, Dunne developed an early interest in the performing arts. After graduating from the Choate Rosemary Hall prep school in Connecticut, Dunne attended Harvard University but did not complete his degree. He eventually found success as an actor in film and television, with his breakout role in the 1976 horror film "An American Werewolf in London." This role brought him critical acclaim and established him as a talented actor in the genre. Throughout his career, Dunne has appeared in numerous films, including "Dozens of Strangers" (1978), "Something Wild" (1986), and "Falling Down" (1993). He also directed several films, such as "Addicted to Love" (1997) and the documentary "Dreamland: The Burning of Blackwall Houses" (2005). In addition to his work in film, Dunne is known for his contributions to television. He created, produced, and starred in the television series "Family Ties" from 1986 to 1987. He has also made guest appearances on shows like "Sex and the City," "The Good Wife," and "Modern Family." Dunne's work often explores themes of identity, family, and relationships, reflecting his personal experiences and influences. His versatility as an actor, director, and screenwriter has made him a respected figure in the entertainment industry.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I've always been curious about things."

This quote by Griffin Dunne suggests a perpetual sense of inquisitiveness, an eagerness to learn and discover new knowledge or facts. It implies that he is not satisfied with what is known or apparent, but seeks to delve deeper into the unknown, fostering personal growth and understanding.


"There's a fine line between fear and excitement."

This quote emphasizes the similarities between feelings of fear and excitement, suggesting that they are closely related emotions and can sometimes be difficult to distinguish. In certain situations, what might appear as fear could actually be the anticipation or thrill of an exciting event or opportunity. Understanding this dynamic can help individuals embrace new experiences, manage anxiety, and grow personally.


"In life you have to take the moment and make something of it."

The quote implies that we should actively seize opportunities and transform them into meaningful experiences, rather than passively waiting for things to happen. It encourages proactivity, creativity, and personal growth in the moments of our lives. In essence, the quote is a call to action, urging us to make the most out of each moment, shaping our own destinies and creating value from the experiences we encounter.


"I think I'm attracted to characters who are a little bit off-kilter, because they're more interesting."

Griffin Dunne's quote suggests he is drawn to characters that deviate from societal norms or expected behaviors, finding them more intriguing. This preference may stem from his belief that these characters possess unique traits, quirks, or complexities that make them stand out and add depth to a story. Such characters often engage the audience's curiosity and empathy, offering a captivating viewing experience.


"I love doing things that scare me because I feel like I learn the most when I do that."

This quote emphasizes the growth-inducing potential of facing fears and venturing into unknown territories. By engaging in activities that challenge our comfort zones, we have opportunities to learn, adapt, and evolve more significantly than if we stick with familiar tasks. The discomfort experienced during such challenges can serve as a catalyst for personal development, fostering resilience, confidence, and self-awareness.


I've always been schizophrenic; I've never been interested in limiting myself.

- Griffin Dunne

Never, Always, Been, Schizophrenic

In the '80s, I can't say that Amy and I were aware of an independent film community. We could only get a certain amount of money for our pictures, which made them low budget movies, but they were distributed through studios.

- Griffin Dunne

Independent, Through, Amy, Distributed

And I like being able to go back and forth, and I don't really care if it's a small budget or big budget or studio or independent, as long as it's got a story that's compelling and there's enough money to make the picture.

- Griffin Dunne

Small, Big, Studio, Enough Money

New York means so much to people. If you're inclined to leave the nest, New York is where most people think they have to go, and it's been that way since the first skyscraper.

- Griffin Dunne

Think, New, Means, Nest

I'm in five guilds; that's a lot of dues to pay. So I have to keep on working.

- Griffin Dunne

Pay, Keep, Lot, Dues

I think we were the first picture to cut on Final Cut Pro. So we were the guinea pigs, because we got a deal on the system. But with that comes all sorts of technological problems I couldn't begin to describe.

- Griffin Dunne

Deal, I Think, Cut, Guinea

It struck me that working digitally with a small crew, I could lay out a general plan for Famous and hope for mistakes which would create something more than satire and something less than truthful reality.

- Griffin Dunne

Hope, Mistakes, Small, Struck

My hunger and desperation, being an actor, an out of work actor - my memory of that is as fresh as an open wound.

- Griffin Dunne

Memory, Actor, Wound, Fresh

As a director, I've been able to combine with what I've learned as an actor and as a producer: it melds quite nicely into what I feel like I should have been doing all along.

- Griffin Dunne

Doing, Been, Nicely, Combine

I met Steve McQueen once. Well, met isn't really the right word.

- Griffin Dunne

Once, Right Word, Steve, McQueen

But I remember feeling as a producer I felt like the guy who called the caterer and got the band; I had to work the party while everybody else was having a good time.

- Griffin Dunne

I Remember, Guy, Everybody, Party

I produced six movies with Amy Robinson since the very early '80s.

- Griffin Dunne

Movies, Six, Very, Produced

Documentaries have always inspired me in narrative filmmaking.

- Griffin Dunne

Me, Always, Narrative, Documentaries

Every movie is wildly different. So many of the problems are the same, but they take on different guises.

- Griffin Dunne

Movie, Same, Take, Wildly

I'm being told it saves money to shoot in Toronto, because of tax benefits, the crews are cheaper, but what I save in the bottom line, I lose in a million other ways.

- Griffin Dunne

Benefits, Other, Cheaper, Shoot

On every movie I've done as a director, I look at the producers and having done it, I don't envy them, at all.

- Griffin Dunne

Envy, Movie, Having, Producers

I came to New York to be an actor and I became a film producer first.

- Griffin Dunne

New, Actor, Became, Producer

I only got to be able to act, because I gave myself a job as a producer.

- Griffin Dunne

Myself, Act, Able, Producer

Although there was a screenplay, the actors never knew what questions I was going to ask them, and all of my character's voice-over narration and scenes were added after the fact.

- Griffin Dunne

Fact, Going, Added, Screenplay

But at the same time, never having final cut before, I really learned an interesting thing for any studio executive who is reading this: that if a director has final cut, it's actually easier and more interesting to listen to notes.

- Griffin Dunne

Studio, Notes, Cut, Easier

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