Harvey Keitel Quotes

Powerful Harvey Keitel for Daily Growth

About Harvey Keitel

Harvey Keitel, born on May 13, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York, is an acclaimed American actor, director, and producer known for his intense, brooding performances and diverse roles spanning six decades in film. Harvey's passion for acting began at a young age, influenced by his parents who were dancers. He started acting in theater productions while still in high school. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, he returned to New York City where he joined the Actors Studio and studied under Lee Strasberg. His film debut was a minor role in "The Heiress" (1964). However, it was his portrayal of 'Waingro' in Alejandro Jodorowsky's surrealist western "El Topo" (1970) that first brought him critical attention. This role led to Martin Scorsese casting Keitel as the hot-headed mobster 'Jimmy Conway' in "Mean Streets" (1973), launching a long and fruitful collaboration between the two. Keitel gained international fame with his role as the enigmatic hitman 'The Master' in Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" (1994), which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Other notable roles include 'Max' in Paul Schrader's "Taxi Driver" (1976), 'Roy Scheider's captain in the remake of "The Amityville Horror" (1979), and 'Mr. White' in Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs" (1992). Apart from acting, Keitel has directed films such as "Flesh + Blood" (1985) and "The Jacket" (2005). He continues to act, with recent roles in TV shows like "Sense8" and "Gomorrah." Over the years, Harvey Keitel has demonstrated a remarkable ability to transform himself for each role, earning him respect and admiration from critics and audiences alike.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"If it don't feel right, you just don't do it."

This quote by Harvey Keitel underscores the importance of intuition and inner conviction in decision-making. It suggests that one should trust their gut feelings when making choices or taking actions, as actions that contradict personal beliefs or instincts may lead to discomfort or regret. Essentially, it's a reminder to prioritize authenticity over conformity.

"When I die, I want people to say: 'He was his own man.' That's all a man can ask for. To be himself."

This quote emphasizes self-authenticity as a key aspect of personal fulfillment and legacy. Harvey Keitel expresses the desire to be remembered not for conforming to societal expectations, but for remaining true to oneself – being unique, individualistic, and authentic throughout one's life. In essence, it's about living an honest and genuine life that reflects one's personal identity.

"I'm not interested in being famous. I'm an actor. That's what I like doing."

In this quote, Harvey Keitel is expressing a strong preference for his craft as an actor over the superficial aspect of fame. He values the process of acting and the creativity it affords him more than any external validation or recognition that comes with being famous. This suggests a deeply rooted passion for his profession and a focus on the artistic journey rather than the destination (celebrity status).

"The secret of a good act is simplicity."

The quote by Harvey Keitel emphasizes that the key to a good performance or action lies in its simplicity. It suggests that when we overcomplicate things, we often lose the essence of what we're trying to achieve. By focusing on simplicity, we can convey our message clearly, effectively, and authentically. This principle applies not only to acting but also to various aspects of life, where taking a straightforward approach can yield the best results.

"There are people who just see things and then they don't let go, you know? And then they do something about it."

This quote suggests that Harvey Keitel is emphasizing on the importance of persistence and action when one encounters an idea or situation. It implies that some individuals possess a strong ability to perceive things in their environment, but what sets them apart is their unwillingness to let go of these observations and instead choose to take action based on them. This kind of mindset embodies a proactive approach towards life and problem-solving.

She had said one time, make a choice and do it like Hercules. So if that is all of what is being offered, the idea is to always do it like Hercules and I always followed her advise and now I'm here talking to you.

- Harvey Keitel

Here, Idea, Had, Advise

The way I see things, the way I see life, I see it as a struggle. And there's a great deal of reward I have gained coming to that understanding - that existence is a struggle.

- Harvey Keitel

Existence, Reward, Deal, Great Deal

Well, we are not doing that film actually. At least I am not at the moment, but we are making an effort to get it done; I don't know whether we'll get the financing for it. The old story we had it, it fell out of place and this and that.

- Harvey Keitel

Effort, Doing, Least, Financing

Hardly any actor objects to press. It's a question of it being done in the way they like to see it done, meaning to get down to the serious interview what the profession is so we can reach out to the people to help them get along.

- Harvey Keitel

Reach, Down, Objects, Interview

All actors do that. Should do that and do that. For the most part. I say all actors. I'm exaggerating, but you know who does and who doesn't. Vince is a wonderful young actor who knows his work and did a beautiful job on this film.

- Harvey Keitel

Beautiful, Young, Part, Young Actor

I thought Jack's directing job was the best thing about the film.

- Harvey Keitel

Thought, Directing, About, Jack

Well, you sort of get out of the pool room, you get out of the Marine Corps, you get out and read some literature, you become involved with people who also want to know and are ready to share some ideas about literature and thoughts, and it becomes nourished that way.

- Harvey Keitel

Some, About, Marine, Corps

It's a very, very fascinating story for me, cause it's about a man who's been doing bad; bad things. And he's a father of four children in parochial school, he's a lieutenant of detectives, but he's in conflict with himself and with trying to do what's right.

- Harvey Keitel

Doing, Been, Very, Parochial

I don't think about those things, really. I work hard on everything I do. Everything is a struggle, everything is hard, everything is difficult.

- Harvey Keitel

Work, Work Hard, Think, Struggle

I grew up with a lot of guys, some of them are dead, some of them are this and some of them that, and some of them very, very powerful, bright young men, who became this instead of that simply because of a lack of guidance - that's all.

- Harvey Keitel

Some, Very, Became, Young Men

So there's no such thing as one too many this, one too many that. I remember, you're reminding me of early in my career, somebody said to me: why are you taking so many roles as a policeman.

- Harvey Keitel

Career, I Remember, Roles, Policeman

What fascinated me mostly about Mickey Cohen was that he, in his later years, hired someone to help him to comprehend literature, to help him to read better, to understand words better.

- Harvey Keitel

Comprehend, Mostly, Read, Hired

Well unfortunately I didn't work with Andre much. But rap is a strong presence in the culture and anyone is going to grateful for its appearance, grateful for any kind of music that has the kind of effect that rap has had on us all.

- Harvey Keitel

Grateful, Rap, Andre, Presence

Uhm, I'm the one wanting the lessons! I don't want to say too much about it because I'd rather have you see the movie, but he's trying to find his music.

- Harvey Keitel

Movie, Wanting, Rather, Lessons

To create characters, one must build background. And one of the tools we use is improvisation.

- Harvey Keitel

Build, Use, Characters, Improvisation

He brought imagination to the story of the Creation.

- Harvey Keitel

Imagination, He, Brought, Creation

I was out to have a good time and have some fun. It's a fun script and fun people are in the movie.

- Harvey Keitel

Time, Some, Movie, Good Time

Then I heard this genius teacher Stella Adler - I recommend you read anything you might find about her and if you have anyone interested in theatre, you get them one of her books.

- Harvey Keitel

Might, About, Read, Stella

I've always found it not only easy, but enjoyable. It's necessary for us to reach out and I'm speaking for myself here. I certainly have a sense of responsibility to reach out to these people in the theatre who might look to someone like me for some guidance.

- Harvey Keitel

Reach, Here, Some, Enjoyable

You're working on being a father, so that is something that when you experience it you'll understand the profundity of wanting to protect something dear to you.

- Harvey Keitel

Father, Wanting, Profundity, Dear

Everything is difficult, and everything worthwhile is difficult. A certain need, a need not unlike Mickey had: to know, to understand, and I had that need to understand and to know.

- Harvey Keitel

Understand, Need, Difficult, Unlike

That's like asking a cobbler if he's made too many pairs of shoes.

- Harvey Keitel

Asking, Like, Too, Pairs

You didn't hear the angels singing. It was brought down to Mother Earth, which is where it should be. And that led me to a lot of other reading.

- Harvey Keitel

Other, Which, Brought, Angels

I mean, you work and you try and find the work that suits you the best and you enjoy the most.

- Harvey Keitel

Work, Mean, Most, Suits

They have equal weight and you do the same work you'd do if you were playing a dramatic role.

- Harvey Keitel

Role, Same, Equal, Dramatic

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