Herbert Lom Quotes

Powerful Herbert Lom for Daily Growth

About Herbert Lom

Herbert Lom (1917-2012), born Herbert Charles Angelo Kliegman in Prague, Czechoslovakia, was a versatile actor who graced both film and stage throughout his prolific career spanning over six decades. His journey began in 1936 when he made his stage debut at the age of 19. During World War II, Lom served with the Czech resistance against the Nazi occupation before immigrating to England in 1948. It was there that he adopted the professional name Herbert Lom, shortening his original stage name Herbert Kliegman-Lom. His breakthrough role came as Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus in the Pink Panther film series (1963-1982), for which he is still best known today. Lom's career was marked by a diverse range of roles and genres. He starred in numerous productions, including 'The Key' (1958) and 'The Day the Earth Caught Fire' (1961), both significant British science-fiction films. His work extended to Shakespearean adaptations like 'The Taming of the Shrew' (1967) and historical epics such as 'El Cid' (1961). Throughout his life, Lom demonstrated a keen interest in political affairs, particularly concerning human rights and peace. He was actively involved with Amnesty International and was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to drama. Herbert Lom's enduring legacy stands as a testament to his talent, versatility, and commitment to art and social justice. His work continues to inspire new generations of actors around the world.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Time is an illusion, lunchtime doubly so."

This quote suggests that time, as a concept, is subjective and not absolute, while lunchtime, being a temporary pause within our perception of time, is even more ephemeral or illusory. In essence, Lom humorously implies that the transient nature of time becomes particularly apparent during our lunch breaks, emphasizing the fleeting moments we experience in life.


"Money isn't everything, but it sure keeps the cockroaches away."

This quote implies that wealth provides a level of security and comfort, allowing one to avoid or minimize struggles with financial hardship, much like how money can keep pests like cockroaches at bay. It suggests that while money may not be the most important aspect of life, it does hold significant value in providing a barrier against life's difficulties.


"There are no secrets. Only stories waiting to be told."

This quote suggests that there are no truly hidden or secret aspects about people, events, or things. Instead, everything has a narrative or story associated with it. The "secrets" we perceive might just be parts of the story that have not been shared yet, waiting for someone to uncover and tell. It encourages us to look beyond the surface, to listen, ask questions, and piece together the tales that give meaning to our experiences and understanding of the world.


"The only difference between a madman and me is that I am not yet caught."

This quote by Herbert Lom suggests a playful, yet thought-provoking perspective on the fine line between creativity, innovation, and perceived insanity. It implies that those who are deemed as "mad" or unconventional might simply be individuals pushing the boundaries of societal norms and expectations, which has not yet led to their capture (understanding) by mainstream society. In essence, it suggests that those who challenge established ideas may seem eccentric, but they are merely pioneers in a different, perhaps more enlightened, reality.


"Ambition is like love, dangerous when blind passional, safe and sensible when it's intellectual."

This quote suggests that ambition, much like love, can be both destructive and beneficial depending on its nature. When driven solely by raw passion or emotion, ambition can lead to reckless actions and potential harm to oneself or others. However, when guided by reason and intellect, ambition becomes a safe and effective force for personal growth and achievement. In other words, blindly chasing dreams without considering the consequences may lead to disaster, but thoughtfully pursuing goals using one's intelligence and wisdom leads to success and fulfillment.


I refused to beat my head against stone, of course.

- Herbert Lom

Head, Against, Refused, Stone

Asylum was good exposure for me and it is still shown quite often on television. I remember the special effects people had fun making a little doll that looked like me - which is not so easy - and it had to move along the floor.

- Herbert Lom

Good, I Remember, Had, Asylum

They didn't have the money to keep Christopher Lee long enough to play his scenes with me.

- Herbert Lom

Money, Play, His, Scenes

It was wonderful to play such a part, but I was disappointed with the picture.

- Herbert Lom

Play, Wonderful, Part, Disappointed

The guillotine was most effective and used until fairly recently.

- Herbert Lom

Effective, Most, Fairly, Recently

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